REPORT OF MANITOBA PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
SANDRA BYRNES

It would be easier to list the things the League doesn't do rather than the things it does. Councils cover every part of Manitoba. They are in northern mining towns as well as northern communities that supply services to the whole of northern Manitoba. Mining towns are often down-sized, and sometimes even shut down. These communities struggle on and the League played a supporting role in whatever is left of the community. Because of the shortage of priests, many parishes no longer were able to have a Sunday mass, never mind week day masses. The League helped to provide communion services, arranged baptisms, provided counselling, visited the sick and other services they were able to arrange. This not only happens in the North. There is no part of the province where there is not a shortage of priests. The women of Manitoba Provincial Council were called on to minister not only to their fellow League members but to their parishes and communities as well.

The farm communities of Manitoba have had a hard time for several years. Bad weather, poor beef sales and other problems hurt, not only the farming communities, but the whole of the province. The farm has long been the foundation of the economy and when they are hurting Manitobans all feel the pain. There are food banks in farming communities to provide formal help to neighbours. These communities have always cared for neighbours in need, but many are shocked to find that this has to be done in a formal manner as the needs of their communities increase. Hard times are not the only problem in farming communities. Villages lose their schools, their stores and, saddest of all, their churches. The shortage of priests was keenly felt and many clergy were covering several parishes. Thank God for those that were able to do this. The League provided support and aid to their parishes and communities.

In Manitoba, the League was celebrated, a custom started by Life Member Alice Makodanski when she became the provincial president, Dr. Rayleen De Luca continued the custom and I am pleased to continue it. We have used different programs every year and the Day of Celebration becomes more popular as our sisters experience the day and spread the word. We have kept the day simple. We have a program that celebrates the League and friendship of our members. We began the day at about 9 a.m. with fellowship and refreshments. This was followed by a program that was interesting, spiritual and fun. We broke for a simple lunch of soup, sandwiches and dessert and more fellowship. In the afternoon, we spent a couple more hours celebrating different aspects of the League. Members from three of the Manitoba dioceses attended these celebrations and we also included members of the Military Ordinariate as well as the Francophone and Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada. We closed about 3 to 3:30 in the afternoon.

We have been hosted by councils from Winnipeg, St. Boniface and the Military Ordinariate dioceses. It has proved to be a wonderful way to spend the day and our members go home refreshed and recharged to serve and minister to their councils, parishes and communities. This day has been held in February, one of the usually colder months of our prairie winters. Our women are a hardy group who do not let the cold, the snow and winter keep them from enjoying time with their sisters.

•  Membership was kept informed on issues affecting the League, provided active leadership, initiated League policy, served on committees in the League, parishes and communities, read material pertaining to the League, church, community, and Canada.
•  Funds were raised for numerous good causes. The spiritual growth of members was promoted, Catholic teachings were studied, members were lay ministers, ecumenical and interfaith endeavours were promoted, honour guards and prayer vigils were arranged, Our Lady of Good Counsel and her feast day was celebrated, the sick and shut-ins were visited, and special devotions were planned.
•  Members were recruited and informed about League resource material, and provided with new member kits.
•  Members helped with weekends for engaged couples, marriage preparation courses, natural family planning courses, parenting courses, ministry to the youth, widowed, disabled, separated, seniors, and supported vocations.
•  Members supported the dignity and rights of persons, justice, both social and economic, immigrants and refugees, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), and restorative justice programs.
•  Members supported Catholic schools and catechesis programs, scholarships and bursaries, continuing education, the environment, wellness and the prevention of disease and sickness, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.
•  Members read and promoted The Canadian League magazine as a resource, wrote newsletters and other publications, contributed articles to various publications, fought pornography, and promoted Christian reading material.
•  Resolutions were formulated, studied and acted upon. Resolutions were presented to the legislature.

I was lucky in that I was able to attend all three of the diocesan conventions. Each convention reunited me with old friends and introduced me to new ones. I was privileged to sit with and meet with the national executive and the other provincial presidents as your representative from Manitoba. I am impressed by the knowledge and experience of my sister provincial presidents. The national executive members have so much knowledge it is truly humbling. When I look at these wonderful women I know the League is in good hands and that God is looking out for us.

I feel blessed to be a member of The Catholic Women's League of Canada. This provincial council has proved to be a wonderful support for me. The three diocesan councils all work so hard and the contribution made by them to the League is beyond measure. Parish councils, no matter what their struggle may be, still provide tremendous service to their parishes and communities. Together, councils make the province of Manitoba a better place to live. Through League support to organizations like CCODP and MaterCare International, the world is a better place.