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REPORT OF MANITOBA PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
SANDRA BYRNES

As my term draws to a close, I am reminded of all of the friends I made through the League. I attended the diocesan conventions for several years, as well as the provincial and national conventions. I attended the meetings of my own parish council and was invited to attend meetings in other parishes. I was always impressed by the women who served the League with love and devotion. They performed this wonderful service at every level.

Manitoba Provincial Spiritual Development Chairperson Suzanne Kiazyk was just one of the many special women I met on this journey. She began her annual report by stating that, ?We are all on the journey and God is with us each and every day. We are being led by the Spirit in many hidden ways. We share in God's revelation to the beloved Son. Sharing and teaching the Faith of God is a great spiritual journey.? I was unable to express any better the pleasure I had on this journey.

When a need was expressed, members were not satisfied until the need had been met. Provincial Community Life Chairperson Marielle Rigaux stated in her annual report that, ?CWL members remind me of a pebble skipping over a pond. As the pebble skips over the water, the ripples keep going out, on and on, joining with other ripples. The contributions and works of the CWL are like the triple effect of a single pebble, they go reaching out further and further, starting by affecting those close to them, moving on to touch the community, spreading out over the country outward and onward, globally. You can see the ripple in your mind's eye and feel it in your heart. It is a wonderful feeling and a beautiful sight.? A tangible example of this is when parish councils in rural areas gave much needed support to their local farmers and communities.

When Agnes Bedard became national president, she was asked in an interview, ?As national president, what are your dreams for the League?? Her answer was, ?That every woman finds within this blest sisterhood acceptance, encouragement, love and support; that the meetings provide sustenance for her body and for her soul; that she finds in the service of God's people great joy and peace; and having found the treasure that is the League; she then cannot help but share with all those she meets the wonder of her League journey.?

It was up to all of us to try make Agnes's dream for the League a reality. It did not matter if we belonged to a parish council in a farm community, a mining town in the north or to a big city council. If the love we had for the League included every member, not only of councils but people in parishes and the communities, cities and country, this would happen. While I prepared this report, our beloved Holy Father, John Paul II, died. What a loving example of peace and tolerance he set for all of us. If we followed his example of loving tolerance and forgiveness, parish councils would flourish and all women would want to be a part of this wonderful organization. It will not always be an easy task. Members can be judgemental, unforgiving, unkind, and unloving. I ask forgiveness of those I offended and pledge to try to be more inclusive and caring.

I made many friends in my travels with the League. I was able to meet with women from every part of Manitoba . Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. The friends I made truly became my sisters. The past presidents of, not only this provincial council, but the diocesan and parish councils, were wonderful mentors and guides. They never failed to provide good advice and counsel. The members of the provincial council were always kind and helpful. It has been a wonderful time in my life. Thank you.

Suzanne Kiazyk ended her report with these words, ?We are established as companions in faith by our common baptism and are strengthened for the journey by frequent celebration of the Eucharist. Relating the theme to the great mystery of the Lord's abiding presence in the Eucharist will bear great fruit for the League. Councils in the Province of Manitoba are made up of very dynamic spiritual women who strive to live their faith in every thing they do. They are not afraid to show kindness and acceptance to all members and to increase their outreach to those less fortunate.?