Our Mission
The Catholic Women's League of Canada is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God.
St. Patrick’s Church, Napanee - CWL Executive 2011-2012
Past President: Iris Berry
President: Mary Gillott
President Elect: Jean Vrooman
First Vice-President: Mary Manion
Second Vice-President: Maureen Way
Recording Secretary: Gertrude Connors
Corresponding Secretary: Marg Peters
Treasurer: Michele Stafford
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Spiritual Development: Laura Poitras
Organization & Membership: June Bisset
Christian Family Life: Cathy Whalen
Community Life: Maria Stebelsky
Education & Health: Denise Hinch
Communications: Laura Poitras
Resolutions & Legislation: Adele Bezaire
Parish Activities: Jean Vrooman
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Funeral Lunches: Franklyn Lemoine
Parish Euchre: Denise Hinch
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Meetings: We gather in the Parish Hall (179 West St., Napanee) on the second Tuesday of the month following the 6:15PM Mass offered for the intentions of the Catholic Women’s League members. The meetings consist of prayer and spiritual reflection, information, possibly a guest speaker, and always fellowship.
Membership: Fees for 2011 are $15. All women aged 16 years and older are encouraged to be a member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.
The level of involvement in the CWL varies for each member. Not all members are able to attend meetings or participate in the many events sponsored by the CWL; whereas others choose to embrace leadership positions and assume a more visible role. Whatever level of involvement is right for YOU is right for St. Patrick’s Catholic Women’s League.
Your membership is important when it comes to the collective CWL voice in matters of national legislation. The CWL represents thousands of women coast to coast. Your membership adds to our number and as a result we are listened to and respected by the policy makers of our country. Let your voice for Catholic values be heard by purchasing your membership each year.
Included in your membership is The Canadian League magazine (published three times per year) which will keep you informed of League business and projects and in contact with other members across Canada.
Faith, Fun & Fulfillment:
In keeping with our mission of calling members to holiness through service to the people of God we present you with the following snapshot of what St. Patrick’s CWL looked like in 2010:
Service to Our Members:
· Leadership Development Days – offered spring & fall
· Diocesan Conference (May) – assistance with expenses
· Mass Cards given to our shut-ins at Christmas
· Mass Cards sent to deceased members’ families
· Birthday Cards sent to members 80+ years old
· Membership fees paid for members in Nursing Homes
· Years-of-service pins allotted
· A photo diary of CWL activities is maintained
Service to Each Other:
· After-Mass Coffee Fellowship
· Funeral Lunches
· Spiritual Retreat – offered for the ladies of the parish (November)
· Special liturgy for “The Year for Priests” (June)
Service to our Community:
· Strawberry Social – July 1st
· Parish Euchre – monthly
· Blood-donor clinics (2 at Strathcona Centre)
· “Voices of Easter” – hosted an inter-denominational hymn sing
· Help at L & A Hospital Bazaar
· Parish Harvest Bazaar (October)
Service to our Seniors:
· J.M. Parrott Centre –tea socials/bazaar
· Visitation and bringing Communion to Nursing Homes and Shut-ins
· Mass with Father Rod McNeil at the Village Green & J.M Parrott Centre
· SOS – Dental Program support
Service to our Youth:
· Spaghetti Dinner –joint venture with J.J.O’Neill Catholic School
· First Communion – reception
· Confirmation – reception
Service to our Poor:
· Annual fundraiser (pancake breakfast) for CHALICE and our sponsorship child living in Bangladesh (www.chalice.ca)
Service through Evangelization:
· World Day of Prayer – first Friday in March
· Catholic Christian Outreach – sponsorship of a missionary on Queen’s University campus (www.ccocanada.ca)
· “The Word Among Us” bulk subscription for the parish
Through the caring and dedicated service of our members we are able to offer practical and financial support to such compatible charities and causes as:
· Seminarian Fund
· Priest Retirement Fund
· Christmas Gifts for Priests
· St. Vincent de Paul Society
· MorningStar Mission
· The Salvation Army
· Birth Right
· Royal Canadian Legion
· Matercare International Fund
· Amnesty International
History: The Catholic Women's League of Canada was organized nationally on June 17, 1920 and granted federal incorporation on December 12, 1923.
The League is officially recognized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) as a lay association of women and is affiliated with the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (WUCWO), a world-wide federation holding membership in the conference of International Catholic Organizations (ICO) and having consultative status with agencies of the United Nations.
St. Patrick’s CWL began in March 1924, making 2011 our 87th year of operation. This year our national theme, “Centred on Faith and Justice”, will pervade our efforts as we continue to work together to the glory of God.
Objects:
The objects of the League shall be to unite Catholic women of Canada:
- to achieve individual and collective spiritual development.
- to promote the teachings of the Catholic church.
- to exemplify the Christian ideal in home and family life.
- to protect the sanctity of human life.
- to enhance the role of women in church and society.
- to recognize the human dignity of all people everywhere.
- to uphold and defend Christian education and values in the modern world.
- to contribute to the understanding and growth of religious freedom, social justice, peace and harmony.
Our Lady of Good Counsel
At the annual national convention in 1923 in Halifax, a resolution was passed to adopt Our Lady of Good Counsel as the League's patroness. The Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel is celebrated on April 26th. We pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel, the patroness of the League, who is our model to be imitated.
Thank you for visiting our CWL page on St. Patrick’s Parish website. Be sure to return to our parish website to learn more about how we all share in faith and fellowship at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Napanee.
God Bless.
