2005 Annual Report of Ontario Provincial President
Shirley George

The following report will introduce briefly some of Ontario members' companions on the journey and undertakings during 2005.

Executive members attended many meetings of the Marriage Advisory Committee. In response to the federal government's intent to hold meetings on the definition of marriage, a brief was prepared by a committee under the leadership of Shari Guinta, Dorothy McGuigan, Ann Jacobs, Muriel Murphy, Betty Colaneri and life members Joleene Kemp and Geraldine Canning. Unfortunately the committee did not have the opportunity to speak at the public hearings. The provincial council contributed to the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops' campaign to retain the traditional definition of marriage.

At the winter provincial executive meeting, Father Peter Keler of Kinkora, Ontario, introduced members to the theory and techniques of conflict resolution. Elder care continued as a provincial focus. Directors and officers' liability insurance came into effect January 31, 2005, giving coverage to all councils within the province. Two seminary students received bursaries from the Bishop Bernard Pappin Memorial Fund.

The 13 diocesan conventions were inspiring, educational and most enjoyable, with the team of Dorothy McGuigan, Shirley George, Margaret Ann Jacobs and Muriel Murphy sharing the duties of bringing greetings and presenting addresses and workshops. Nine archdiocesan/diocesan councils held elections of Joleene Kemp, so nine new presidents were welcomed to the table.

I represented the council at the Celebrate the Call conference in Ottawa in May.

The Toronto Archdiocesan Council hosted an excellent provincial convention on the theme. Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic gave an encouraging message at the opening mass while Shannon Hogan, National President Agnes Bedard and Dr. Moira McQueen also gave inspiring addresses. Eight resolutions were adopted and two of these were later adopted at the annual national convention.

Three members received national bursaries to further their lay ministry studies and nine new life members were welcomed. Life Member Joleene Kemp served on the national resolutions committee.

In September, President-elect Margaret Ann Jacobs and I met with the executive of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss resolutions and to extend thanks for assistance provided in acquiring insurance coverage.

I represented national council at a seminar on euthanasia. Carmel Rumleskie and Irene Perrault attended several colloquia at the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute.

At the October provincial executive meeting, Dorothy McGuigan presented extensive proposed changes to the provincial Policy and Procedure and Guidelines for Provincial Officers to bring them in line with current practice. These were ratified by the provincial executive. Ania Kryschiak presented a program on liturgy for youth.

Development days took place in many archdioceses/dioceses with two diocesan councils making use of the national subsidy and five councils utilized the provincial development fund. Several diocesan councils received financial assistance from national council to attend the annual national convention in Vancouver.

In May, executive members met with Ontario's attorney general regarding 2004 resolutions. In December, members of provincial council, led by Muriel Murphy, met with Ontario government ministers and senior staff to discuss 2005 resolutions.

In response to dwindling membership, a committee was struck to look at solutions, with Margaret Ann Jacobs as chairperson. She presented a workshop in December for representatives from all archdioceses/ dioceses.

Throughout Ontario, members joined in Eucharistic celebrations on December 8th and 12th.