REPORT OF
MILITARY ORDINARIATE PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
GABRIEL KALINCAK

League and Membership Promotion
In January, all councils launched membership drives as a way of promoting the League as a whole and their councils in particular. Presidents were given time during or immediately before the end of Sunday mass to address the congregation, talking about the importance of having the CWL at their chapel and explaining its objectives. The congregation was invited to join League members after mass for a reception and ask questions or voice concerns. It was the provincial council's aim to educate all members of the Military Ordinariate (MO) chapel congregations and importance was given also to educate husbands on what the League is all about. Most married women joining the MO CWL need the support of their spouse, since many have young children who require care when they go to meetings or tend to the ministries they feel called to lead or take part in. CWL membership in the MO could be seen as a family affair.

The provincial council is happy to report that some councils did recruit new members. One council grew from two to 29 members in four years. By MO standards, this was extraordinary growth in membership and considered the revitalization of a council that had practically disbanded. Unfortunately, others continued to struggle with increase in membership. There were two primary reasons for membership decline: postings of members to bases that had no councils (overseas, etc.) and retirement from the Canadian Forces. Presidents reported that, besides the recruitment method described above, personal approach of individuals was encouraged, as well as indirect recruitment through visibility in and around the parish community.

Ministry Involvement
Presidents reported League involvement in the liturgy and music ministries, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, marriage preparation, first communion and confirmation preparation. One president reported that members attended a music workshop in preparation for the Christmas Mass. Some presidents reported that members led the Way of the Cross and invited the congregation to join them for the rosary, especially in May and October. One president reported that the council involved children from the congregation to take flowers to the statue of Mary. The same council led Mary's Way of the Cross one Sunday. Some councils participated in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Other ministries in the form of community services, fundraisers and participation in various events, including Hike for Life, and other pro-life activities, were part of many members' ?I will participate? calendars. Several councils reported the provision of receptions after funerals which was viewed as a ministry more than a fundraiser.

Other Participation
One council joined the Knights of Columbus ?Keep Christ in Christmas? rosary and tree lighting. Another council sold Christmas cards designed by Vancouver Island Catholic school students, a fundraiser for a school in Eritrea, Africa.

Special Projects and Services
Several councils gathered and sent parcels to padres for the troops deployed as peace keepers and providers of humanitarian aid to foreign nations. Locally, councils hosted many receptions and gatherings after mass. One council president reported that her council hosted a light lunch, serving soup after mass during Lent instead of coffee and cookies. One council participated in Adopt-a-Seminarian program, a project of the civilian diocesan council. The seminarian was from Newfoundland and Labrador and the MO council members hoped to meet him in the new year. Another council participated in the Adopt-a-Senior program. The same president reported that her priest and spiritual advisor underwent two major surgeries in January and February. A meal schedule was put in place for him, and the members provided a balanced, nutritious diet including lunch and dinner for three weeks while he was recuperating. One council sponsored a child in the SOS Children's Village.

One president reported on her council taking up the Wellness/Fitness Challenge. Members started their virtual tour in Rome, Italy. Their plan was to travel north and visit as many countries as they could and in June have a potluck with food they might have eaten along the way. One president reported that one member prepared the weekly parish bulletin. The same president reported the making of rosaries for first communion candidates. One council sent a stained glass window for the chapel to Operation Athena (Canadian troops deployed to Afghanistan to provide humanitarian aid).

40th Anniversary Project
All councils were asked to make one quilt patch for the provincial council's 40th anniversary. The patches will be collected and the quilt made. The project is headed by one council in conjunction with one member on the provincial administrative committee.

Fundraising for Various Service Projects
The list is nearly endless and included silent auctions, penny auctions, barbecues and dinners, canvassing, yard sales, thrift shop managing and sales, raffles, bake, pie and fudge sales. For the past 11 years, one council raised funds every Christmas for a youth emergency shelter by hosting a potluck supper and a penny auction. Since its inception, the council has raised just over $10,000.

Political Involvement and Government Lobbying
As part of the Canadian Forces, members are asked not to engage in political action against government policies and regulations. However, as individuals they were encouraged to voice their opinions, write letters and participate in petitions. Some councils joined their civilian counterparts in protesting the proposed legislation on the definition of marriage. One president reported that council members attended a presentation on the continued use of child labour in Nike factories in the developing world and signed a petition to boycott the sportswear giant. Another president reported that her council distributed cards for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace campaign Water: Life Before Profit!

Ecumenical Involvement
Most councils met regularly with their Protestant counterparts, the Ladies Guild, for prayer services, various service projects, fundraising events and social gatherings. Although this has been a practice in some councils for many years, it was revitalized during the presidency of Theresa Winchester, who initiated and spearheaded Operation Common Ground, an ecumenical millennium celebration, which took place during the 2001 convention in Trenton , Ontario . She was also commemorated with the dedication of a stained glass window at the back of the Trenton military chapel, which is used by all denominations.

Special Recognition
One president reported that her chapel received the Cardinal Roy Award, which was shared with the Protestant chapel, recognizing the exceptional teamwork and goodwill between both parishes. The council and the Ladies Guild were extremely proud of this award, as the ladies had been maintaining a close relationship, sharing venues in fundraising, as well as meeting for other occasions.

Twin Councils
Parish councils were ?twinned? (sister councils). Two council presidents made mention of it when they reported the writing and sending of a Christmas card to their twin council.

Provincial President
Since becoming provincial president in May, I chaired one fall administrative committee meeting which was conducted via teleconference call. The provincial chairperson of communications was responsible for the arrangement of all teleconference calls.

I participated in the fall national executive meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba. By the end of 2004, I had sent five memos to the parish councils plus two memos to administrative committee members. I highlighted the Year of The Eucharist and pertinent information and reminders. I spoke or corresponded with several council presidents on various matters concerning their councils.

I received memos and reports from the members of the provincial administrative committee highlighting their work throughout the past year. The president-elect and organization chairperson's emphasis was on the membership drive, a duty of great importance to the well-being of the provincial council. Her duties as a whole, and the provincial council in particular, were the constant updating of guidelines, rules and regulations publications. She was the chairperson of the Mickey Scott Fund committee and the newly-established Kathleen McCrossin Exceptional Service Award committee. The first vice-president and chairperson of spiritual development sent monthly reflections to all councils and promoted upcoming events and suggested prayer meetings. She promoted the Year of the Eucharist and will continue to follow this as well as the national theme.

The second vice-president and ../../resolutions/legislation chairperson continued to educate and inform members of issues including Bill C-38, An Act respecting certain aspects of legal capacity for marriage for civil purposes. At the same time, she pointed members to resolutions adopted nationally in previous years, asking them to keep reminding their local members of parliament to speak and act on the League's behalf. The secretary and the treasurer kept guiding their counterparts. Both were highly-regarded by their parish council counterparts and the provincial council, since they made themselves available to assist with their specialized expertise.

The past president's duties were somewhat different than in civilian councils. Often parish council past presidents retired or were posted to a different base, taking on a different role within a council at their new destination. For those reasons, they had to adapt their roles with the councils to any given situation. The past president fulfiled an important role guiding parish council past presidents and councils in general. Her role as mentor to the president was of utmost importance and very much appreciated.

The Christian family life chairperson put emphasis on various family issues. She informed councils about Salt and Light Television and how to ask that this station be broadcast across Canada . In her memos, she listed a great number of resources and advised on various family issues. The community life chairperson sent information on dignity and rights of persons, immigration, refugees and citizenship, and violence against women. She also reminded councils of past resolutions pertaining to the community life standing committee. The responsibility of the education and health chairperson was to point out the vast number of issues in the field of national, provincial and local health sectors and education in general, as well as call all members to action. The communications chairperson liaised with media of all sorts and communicated with her parish counterparts on many issues. In conjunction with her sub-chairperson and a web master, she oversaw website maintenance. She also liaised with the publisher of the thrice-year published Maryline, and requested all parish councils and the provincial administrative committee members to submit articles and reports.

I want to thank all parish councils and the provincial standing committee chairpersons for their support and cooperation this past year. It was a privilege and honour to serve as your provincial president. Reading the reports submitted from both the council presidents and the provincial administrative committee members, I am certain that together we continued to fulfil the objectives of The Catholic Women's League of Canada and those set by provincial and parish councils.

May God bless our work and may Our Lady of Good Council continue to guide us.