2006 Annual Report of Organization In the diocese of Sherbrooke, the League is now listed in An English Speaker's Guide to life in the Eastern Townships. This may have been instrumental in adding 11 members to its ranks. Presidents spoke from the pulpit on Membership Sunday. Installation and re-affirmation ceremonies for executives were performed at the mass and witnessed by the faith community. Mentors were assigned to new members. Mentors gifted the new members assigned to them with special welcome kits. Members were encouraged to use League websites and to read and share their newsletters and magazines. Spiritual development Members attended retreats and pilgrimages to the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Beauvoir, and one diocese had an annual Day of Recollection. Rooted in Prayer and Praying with the Scriptures were explored by a religious sister, who had spent 40 years teaching in Africa. One council had a missionary priest who spent 40 years in India share his experiences. Parish council meetings began with mass, prayers, the rosary, spiritual readings, special liturgies and reflective meditations. Members were involved in faith-sharing groups, bible studies, Alpha programs, prayer groups and the Catholic Community Council. One member coordinated and presided at weekly Liturgy of the Word celebrations in a home for the elderly, and was the animator at a monthly meeting of the Ascending Life Movement. One council had a special fund set aside for members in crisis who may be in need of a spiritual retreat. Members donated to St. Patrick Mission Circle. They served as lectors, communion ministers, wardens, catechists, choir members, members of parish councils, liturgical councils and parish orientation councils. One member was on the diocesan ecumenical committee. Members helped in the planning of and attended services for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and World Day of Prayer. One council collected 1,828 used postage stamps for missions. Councils prepared and sent letters to the postmaster general requesting nativity scene postage stamps at Christmas. Christian family life Councils supported Birthright International with financial donations and by hosting baby showers. All councils reported helping their aged by offering them rides to appointments and to do their shopping. Annually, family is celebrated with special recognition of wedding anniversary at mass, with a Mother's Day luncheon and a Father's Day hot dog barbeque. All councils wrote letters and/or signed petitions to maintain the traditional definition of marriage. These were sent to government. Members donated to pro-life organizations, Dans la Rue, and Old Brewery Mission. One member was the chaplain at a geriatric institute, and many members volunteered at a geriatric institute or seniors residences. Special shawls and lap blankets were given to members of communities as gestures of friendship and comfort. Two councils donated embroidered stoles for babies at baptism. One council provided job opportunities for its youth and another financially assisted a member of a youth group selected to go on a pilgrimage to Egypt. The young lady then shared her experience as guest speaker at its fall meeting. Some members were leaders of grief management groups in their parishes. Community life Financial support was given to parish food banks, Save a Family Plan, Benedict Labre House, Nazareth House, Father Dowd's Home, Omega House, St. Andrew's Home, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), Meals on Wheels, Friends of the Bishop, Juan Moreno House (a group shelter for refugees), L'Accueil Bonneau (an organization which helps the homeless), Les Loits D'Emile and Our Harbour, two quality housing projects for the mentally ill, Marguerite de Champlain, H.O.P.E., C.U.R.E., fair trade coffee and Les Dix Milles Villages. The two last groups sell articles with all monies going back to the people who produce the products. Many members volunteered their time in support of these groups. One member was on the diocesan executive for CCODP. One council sent 110 teddy bears to the Teddies for Tragedies project. Several councils participated in Operation Christmas Child and members also supported the Wear Red on Friday campaign and offered prayers for all soldiers in war zones. Wreaths were laid to remember veterans on Remembrance Day. Several hundred action cards were sent to the minister of foreign affairs, c/o CCODP, in support of the campaign Water: life before profit! Education and health Members were called upon to promote adult faith education and some were leaders of small faith groups in their parishes. Members were encouraged to be responsible for their own health and welfare. Some joined exercise clubs as a group. Others met as a group to work on weight loss and diets. Members donated to breast cancer research and participated in walk-a-thon for breast cancer. One diocese had a walk-a-thon to save its school. Scholarships were given to schools and colleges to encourage students to further their studies. Members acted as judges at local elementary and high school science fairs. Many councils had speakers at every monthly meeting. Members volunteered at local hospitals and schools and donated to the Montreal children's hospital, Victorian Order of Nurses Canada and MaterCare International. Members were conscientious about the environment as they recycled, gardened, planted trees, composted, and observed the no litter laws; some walked, more drove less, and bicycled when weather permitted. One council had a resolution on junk foods in schools, which went to provincial level. The provincial Workshop on Wheels (WOW) team continued to offer workshops aimed at educating members. Councils prepared and sent letters to government concerning stem cell use. Communications
The Canadian League magazine, national and provincial websites, the provincial newsletter, Communicating with League, the CWL corner in The Catholic Times and parish bulletins were the main outside channels of communication. Members were encouraged to use them. All councils used church bulletins to share League information with their community. President's reports, spiritual advisor's greetings and accredited delegates' reports were a regular feature on the provincial website. Most councils used telephone chains to announce upcoming events and to remind members of meetings. One council mailed minutes to every member including shut-ins. Christmas, thinking of you and birthday cards were sent. Councils advertised their functions and activities via local radio and television stations and one council sent announcements to its local Anglican and United church communities. Many councils put posters and announcements in community centres, small businesses and local schools. Protests were lodged with two companies that published pictures of nude or semi-nude women in magazines that appeared on racks in local stores. A letter was also sent to Remax Realties, protesting a commercial on CBC Television showing almost nude people walking through a house that was for sale. The relevance of the advertisement was questioned, and the company was reminded of the moral obligation that companies have to protect children from such exposure. Resolutions and legislation Councils monitored and studied legislation at all levels of government. Resolutions adopted at the national convention were discussed and councils sent letters to the prime minister and members of parliament. Laws Pearl 's goal for the year was to get to know as many of the Quebec family members as possible and it was accomplished in great part. |
