The 64th Annual Catholic Women’s League of Canada Manitoba Provincial Convention was held on June 2-3, 2012. The convention was hosted by the Winnipeg Diocesan Council and the St. James-Assiniboia Parish Council. The St. James-Assiniboia Council was formed in 1986 and consists of four parishes - Saint Paul the Apostle, Blessed John XXIII, St. Charles and Saint Ann’s.
St Charles Church was the venue for the 110 delegates who attended the gathering. Janice Butler, Chair of the Convention Committee, together with her ten member team, worked for over a year preparing for the event.
The Convention began at 4:00 pm with a special Mass at St. Charles Church, celebrant was V. James Weisgerber, Archbishop of Winnipeg. Among the special guests at the banquet were Archbishop Weisgerber as well as Betty Ann Brown Davidson, National President-Elect and Chairperson of Organization for the Catholic Women’s League of Canada. In keeping with the theme of the Convention, “Women of Faith and Justice”, Archbishop Weisgerber reminded the delegates that “faith calls our lives and our communities to work for justice”. The entertainment for the evening was provided by Keewatin Otchitchak (Northern Crane) a group of traditional women singers, accompanied by the drum.
Jacqueline Nogier, Manitoba Provincial President, stated “Convention time provides another opportunity to educate members on a range of topics”. An effort is being made to schedule the three Diocesan Conventions on different weekends to allow members to attend more than just their own convention. “This allows the women to be exposed to happenings in all areas of the province”, said Jacqueline.
The Convention was an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of members of the League throughout the province. Janet Brunger, Winnipeg Diocesan Council President, commented, “To each one of us, the little bit that we do is not much but when we
multiply that little bit by many hands, many hours and many coins, it becomes an incredible gift”.
Mary-Margaret Patterson, Chairperson of Community Life, reported the multitude of ways members of the Catholic Women’s League are living the advice of Jesus, “whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me”. She also stated “Our members support numerous women’s shelters, half-way houses and crisis centers. Hampers of food and household goods were gathered and delivered to many different venues – missions for street people, drop-in centers and inner-city community centers. Work parties visited several soup kitchens to serve and houseclean. Infant formula, clothing and necessities were collected and provided to Pregnancy Support Services and shelters for underprivileged women. In all of this activity, the needs of the Aboriginal community were included in the decisions as to where the support was directed”.
One of the primary tasks of the CWL is to address social justice issues and ethical questions. The CWL seeks to influence legislative and administrative bodies at all levels to preserve the dignity of the human person. Politically, one of its major roles is to prepare and lobby to the government resolutions which are representative of the beliefs of Catholic women.
Four resolutions were presented this year by the Manitoba Provincial Council at the convention – Improved Living Conditions for First Nations and Inuit Communities, Mandatory Drug and/or Alcohol Rehabilitation in Correctional Facilities, Canadian Blood Services ID Number for The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, and Expanded Powers for Inspection and Enforcement of Medicinal Marijuana License Provisions.
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