REPORT OF NEW BRUNSWICK PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
ANNA BLAKNEY

Despite having only one parish council in Perth-Andover, Edmundston diocese remained very active. They have a life member who, at almost 80 years old, looked after a dessert table at the market all summer and raised over $3,000. Members “trekked 1,508 km around New Brunswick,” keeping track of distances walked in the local community and recording it weekly. They also hosted the provincial convention in June.

The provincial executive held a weekend retreat in the spring that included a meeting and a workshop, receiving assistance from the National Development Fund for the workshop.

Councils held many workshops throughout the year. A workshop on membership was very good with the presenters doing an excellent job. I, along with National Education and Health Chairperson Ann Doucet, facilitated two workshops on small Christian communities that were very well received.

Members were introduced to the shawl ministry and some councils have been busy knitting and crocheting. One shawl was presented to Bathurst Diocesan President Wilma Murphy who was ill and had undergone two operations in the fall. Pennies were collected for babies with AIDS in Africa. This will be an ongoing project.

Members were busy writing letters and lobbying senators, members of parliament and local members of the legislative assembly on issues including stem cell research, the definition of marriage, and many others. They also took part in a March for Life and a rally on same-sex marriage led by Most Rev. J. Faber MacDonald, Bishop of Saint John, with clergy from other churches in the province.

Three provincial executive members and myself met with members of the legislative assembly to discuss resolutions. They were very open and asked a lot of questions. The provincial fire marshal was there also, as we had a provincial resolution about fire truck safety. We were each presented with a smoke detector. The provincial council was pleased to have three resolutions adopted at the annual national convention in Saskatoon, Sask. One on Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder was not adopted, but was referred to the education and health standing committee to prepare a discussion paper.

Three members served on national sub committees: Life Member Anne-Marie Gorman was appointed to the national resolutions committee; Life Member Constance Firlotte served on the education and health standing committee; and Mary Ryan served on the legislation standing committee.

I attended three diocesan conventions and was very pleased at how much was being done in the parishes. Some councils were persevering through difficult times.

A letter was sent to the provincial presidents across Canada asking for their monetary support of the Coalition for Life and Health case, Morgentaler versus New Brunswick. The province refuses to fund abortions at his Fredericton facility.

On behalf of the provincial council, I attended a Right to Life dinner in Moncton. It was a privilege to attend national meetings and work with the national executive on behalf of my province. It was a learning and growing experience for me, one that I will always cherish.