2006 Annual Report of
Spiritual Development
Cecile Miller
Sub-committee chairpersons:
Elaine Black ? Youth Summit, 49th International Eucharistic Congress
Shirley Bernier ? evangelization and mission assistance
Karen Lawless ? ecumenism and interfaith endeavours
?If I have no contact whatsoever with God in my life, then I cannot see in the other anything more than the other, and I am incapable of seeing in him [her] the image of God.? (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love)) Members were truly companions to each other in their prayers, study, outreach to sisters of other faiths and service in their parishes.
Spiritual growth of members
Members prayed at meetings with spiritual programs and reflections, scripture and inspirational readings, lessons, spiritual music and meditations. They participated in retreats, mini-retreats, mini-missions, days of reflection, holy hours, novenas, workshops, bible study and pilgrimages. They helped form sacred spaces and participated in parish days of prayer. Members honoured Mary on feast days with prayers and devotions to Our Lady of Good Counsel and the rosary during May and October.
Members used various resources: CWL Prays, Ceremonies Booklet, Belonging, Catholic Women's Devotional Bible, Oblate magazine and the Journey in Faith Program. Deceased members were remembered, especially in November. Prayer lines and a prayer request booklet were used. Some members prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. Some belonged to faith groups or small Christian communities while others pursued further religious studies or took part in a seven-week Life in the Spirit Program. An annual Lenten twilight retreat for members was organized in some councils.
Many members participated in special programs during Advent and Lent. Some were Martha and Congregation of Notre Dame associates. Some said prayers for vocations and the success of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress and maintained the Book of Life. Many councils had secret sisters and/or prayer partners.
Study of Catholic teaching
Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) was studied. Members took advantage of workshops, bible study groups, Lenten study programs, guest speakers, faith development programs, videos, DVDs and books including the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They were involved in Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults, sacramental preparation and catechesis. Members set up spiritual libraries, and read Catholic newspapers, periodicals, daily meditation booklets and magazines. Some members studied church law. In some councils, members were encouraged to read books that explore women in scripture and share what they read with others.
Role of women in the church
Members lived out their ?service to the people of God? on committees, pastoral councils and as pastoral associates. One member was the coordinator of a retreat house. Some members assisted in the implementation of pastoral units in a diocesan pastoral project. In some areas where there was a shortage of priests, women assumed a much more active role.
Evangelization and mission assistance
Prayer and financial support was offered to mass for shut-ins, Catholic Missions In Canada, Esk-Omi Missions, Kee-Pas Missions and other missions in Canada and abroad. Councils twinned with missions and sent used stamps. Donations were made to the Bible-a-Month Club to provide bibles to people in developing countries. In one council, members provided financial help to a priest for a mass kit for his missionary work. One diocesan council invited a member who is a missionary in Africa, while on a visit home, to make presentations to schools about her work.
Lay ministries
Members were involved in all lay ministries in their parishes. Communion was taken to the sick and shut-in. Councils participated in the shawl ministry, reaching out to and praying for those in need of comfort and prayer. Some councils actively encouraged and recruited members to sign up for parish ministries. One council coordinated and presided at weekly Liturgy of the Word celebrations in a home for the elderly. One member facilitated a monthly meeting of the Ascending Life Movement.
Ecumenism and interfaith endeavours
Members organized/hosted/participated in Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, World Day of Prayer and the L'Arche Canada event ? Rock the Mount. They dialogued with each other, shared celebrations, attended an ecumenical singing service, took part in ecumenical prayer groups and social functions, and met for fellowship and sharing. One council attended a United Church annual retreat while another participated in an Anglican Church women's day of reflection. One region held monthly ecumenical prayer services for military personnel deployed to Afghanistan, rotating among the churches in the region. Ecumenical services were held for high school graduates. Members participated in the Alpha Program.
Special mention
One council participated in a candlelight caroling and prayer service with three choirs and the readings proclaimed in six languages. Another council held a rosary-a-thon in which each member recited a decade of the rosary for special intentions on a certain day. Another council had a review of books on the Catholic faith and question and answer sessions. Many members took part in a provincial prayer for peace service.
Activities undertaken by national chairperson and sub-committee chairpersons
• compiled and sent seven communiqués
• submitted the following articles for The Canadian League: "Celebrate the Call ? Development of Lay Ministry"; "Discipleship: Companions with Jesus on the Journey of Life";" A Reflection: companions on the journey and Eucharist"; "Review of From Pain to Hope"
• attended and reported on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Forum with Associations, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Plenary Session, and the Cooperation of Church and State conference
• wrote letters to the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs regarding Resolution 2006.01 Religious Freedom |
