Executive Profiles

Archbishop Martin William Currie was born in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia, on December 11, 1943, the third of nine children of Everett and Mabel (Walsh) Currie.

Upon graduation from Sheet Harbour High School in 1961, he studied at St. Francis Xavier University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964. That same year, he entered Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 12, 1968.

From 1968-1974, Fr. Currie served as assistant in St. Patrick's Parish, Halifax and St. Charles Parish, Amherst. From 1975-1980 he served in the archdiocesan mission parish of San Jose Obrero, Chiclayo, Peru. Fr. Currie served as pastor in several parishes including St. Joseph's Parish, Bridgewater, St. Norbert's Parish, Lunenburg, and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Dartmouth. He served as chaplain at the Halifax County Regional Rehabilitation Centre and was appointed vicar general of the Archdiocese of Halifax in 1992.

Following a brief period of study in Israel, Msgr. Currie was appointed chancellor of the archdiocese in 1994 working fulltime in the chancery office. In 1995, while remaining chancellor and vicar general, Msgr. Currie was appointed rector of St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Halifax. With the retirement of Archbishop Austin Burke, Msgr. Currie was elected administrator of the archdiocese, serving in this capacity for a year before the appointment of Archbishop Terrence Prendergast.

In 1999, Msgr. Currie became pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Truro, while continuing to serve as vicar general of the archdiocese, member of the personnel board and as archdiocesan representative at the Atlantic School of Theology. In addition, he served as chaplain to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Msgr. Currie has been chaplain of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and archdiocesan director of the propagation of the faith. He has served on the boards of Nova Scotia Drug Dependency Foundation, Saint Mary's University and Saint Vincent's Guest House.

On December 12, 2000, Msgr. Currie was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador. Upon his episcopal ordination on January 31, 2001, he became the eighth bishop of the diocese.

During 2006 and 2007, in addition to serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Grand Falls he was also named apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick.

As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, he has served on the national council of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, founded by the bishops of Canada 40 years ago as their agency for international development and solidarity.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Most Reverend Martin William Currie as the head of Archdiocese of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on October 17, 2007. He was installed on November 30, 2007 at the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Velma Harasen
National President

Velma joined The Catholic Women's League of Canada as charter president of St. Gerard Parish Council in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Upon moving to Regina, she joined St. Martin Parish Council where she continues to be active. Velma held executive positions on both diocesan and provincial levels and served as Saskatchewan provincial president from 1999 to 2001. She assisted in the amalgamation process when the province went from five to three dioceses. She coordinated Project Grow in her province and was a facilitator. The completion of Leading the League and chairing the ad hoc committee was a fulfilling experience. In 2002, she was awarded a life membership in national council.

Velma chaired the 1993 anual national convention in Regina which drew record attendance. For this, the Regina Archdiocesan Council presented her with a maple leaf service pin.

It is believed that Velma is the first woman anywhere to serve as president of a parish pastoral council. She is active in parish ministries including Eucharistic minister, lector, prayer line participant and also enjoys the weekly bible study group in her parish.

Velma organized the women's program for two Knights of Columbus state conventions and accompanied her husband, Lorne, to six supreme conventions. The Harasens were honoured twice as Council Family of the Year and once as State (provincial) Family of the Year. The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross of Honour was presented to Velma and Lorne in the same ceremony in 2010, a rare and perhaps the first presentation of the cross to a husband and wife simulaneously.

Velma has served as volunteer, advisory board member, and chairperson with Birthright. Currently, she is a frequent volunteer at Visitation House, a safe shelter for women under the sponsorship of the diocese. She is also a member of the Regina Symphony Women's Association. Her summer activities include a lot of golf, a little bit of gardening, and a lot of walking! Spending time with family and friends is a blessing.

Professionally, Velma was an administrative assistant with the Regina Health District which included work in long term care, respite care and day programs, as well as convalescent and palliative care. She continues with palliative care as a volunteer.

Velma and Lorne have three grown children and five wonderful grandchildren.

Betty Anne Brown Davidson
National President-elect and Chairperson of Organization

member for 38 years, (since 1972) life membership awarded in 1993
education - graduate biochemist, worked in field of drug research
CWL past president on parish, regional, archdiocesan (Toronto) and provincial (Ontario) levels of the League
past national chairperson of the spiritual development, resolutions, and communications standing committees
CWL activities include: prepared Christian Family Life Study Kit (ON); national sub-chairperson for vocations; animator for Spirituality: A Day of Discovery; national convention chairperson; member of national resolutions committee
parish and community: director/member of community boards and advisory groups; vocation awareness committee (called by name); Catholic charities allocations and communications committees; Toronto Archdiocesan jubilee committee.
national representative to various ad hoc committees (our response to the Romanow commission report and to Catholic Health Association of Canada's year of visioning)
amateur grape grower, retired, married, mother of eight and grandmother of 18

Barbara Dowding
National First Vice-President and Chairperson of Community Life

Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Barbara attended St. Augustine's parish. In 1969 she married Alan. They have three sons, Ian, Michael and Robert. After a term in England, they settled on the North Shore where Barbara first encountered CWL through a Stitch and Coffee group of young mothers. She joined in 1978 at St. Stephen Parish Council and still has friends from those earliest CWL days. She is an avid golfer, enjoys holidays with Alan and likes to run. Spending quality time with and spoiling her grandchildren Devon and Maya continue to be a priority.

Barbara accepted parish council presidency in 1990 and went on to become archdiocesan president in 1997. Barbara's goals at that time, (1) encourage all members to say, "Here I am Lord, use me!" and (2) assist in the recognition and appreciation of each other's gifts, continues to be her passion. She was instrumental in forming three new parish councils and still enjoys speaking at parishes (the heart of the CWL) taking every opportunity to talk about the League and facilitating workshops and presentations that promote the big picture.

Barbara has been community life, resolutions, and organization chairperson at the provincial level. She served on a national ad hoc committee that produced Leading the League. In 2003, Barbara received her life membership as well as the maple leaf service pin. She chaired the 2000 provincial convention and 2005 national convention committees, crediting their success to the awesome committees. She served for many years on the board of Our Lady of Good Counsel Society and is an active member of her parish.

Barbara worked in the retail sector, at a public library and in a Catholic high school. She spent three years in the Archdiocese of Vancouver Marriage Tribunal, before becoming the coordinator of the great jubilee events in 2000 and the archdiocesan synod in 1997. In 2004, she was named vice chancellor for the archdiocese of Vancouver, a position she currently holds as well in addition to being the director of the stewardship office. In 2010, Barbara was awarded the papal medal Benemerenti (to a well-deserving person) in recognition of her service to the archdiocese and her work with The Catholic Women's League of Canada.

Barbara credits her love for the League and person development to the many League sisters who have affirmed and challenged her. Experiences at the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations' study days in Arlington, Virginia, and the conference on Mulieris Dignitatum in Rome made her even more focussed on helping women appreciate and embrace all the League has to offer. After two years as chairperson of resolutions and two visits to the federal government, she is all the more convinced that the League is relevant in today's secular world and a viable force for good in the world.

Mary Nordick
National 2nd Vice-President and Chairperson of Comunications

Mary Nordick is third generation CWL, following her mother and grandmother. Inspired by her mother’s work on the 1983 annual national convention planning committee, Mary with four other women worked to reactivate the League in her home parish, became a member and was elected president. Needless to say, she learned quickly about the League! She has served on diocesan and provincial levels as organization, resolutions, community life and spiritual development standing committee chairpersons, and as archivist on the diocesan level. She has developed and facilitated workshops on leadership and social justice.

Mary has a passion for resolutions, having researched and written several, and advised on others. She served a term on the national resolutions committee. For Mary, the League is a marvellous opportunity to broaden horizons beyond the parish to diocesan, provincial, national and even international levels, especially in community life.

Mary is active in her home parish of St. Philip Neri, Saskatoon, serving as lector, communion minister to the sick, chair of the social justice committee, on parish council and singing in the five o’clock and resurrection choirs. She is, and has been, involved in refugee sponsorship, ecumenical activities, and diocesan social justice.

Mary teaches first year English at St. Thomas More College (STM) and the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan, and previously taught English, French, and Christian Ethics in Saskatoon Catholic high schools. She has served on the Board of Governors for STM and on various committees in both professional and volunteer capacities. In her spare time, she indulges her love for theatre at the college and in two community theatre groups.

Mary is the proud mother of three sons and one daughter who was born in the year Mary joined the League.

Judy Lewis
National Secretary-Treasurer

Judy joined the League in 1984 at St. Paul Parish Council in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. She served as parish organization chairperson for four years, parish president for two years and two years as past president. In 2003, her parish council presented her with the maple leaf service pin. She served four years as treasurer, and two years as organization chairperson on the provincial council, two years as provincial president and two years as past provincial president, two years as national chairperson of education and health, and two years as national chairperson of legislation. Judy works for Revenue Canada as a term worker.

Judy served on the committee for the Fire in the Rose pilot project. The Church Council on Justice and Corrections created the three-year project to bring awareness, through the churches, about different forms of violence in the home. The project was unique, as seven different denominations participated in Summerside. She just recently joined the pastoral care team at St. Paul's in her home parish to distribute the Eucharist to Catholic patients at Prince County Hospital in Summerside.

Judy taught catechism for over 10 years, served as Eucharistic minister and is currently a lector in her church. She belongs to an ecumenical ladies group who meet each Thursday afternoon to reflect on the power of prayer in their lives and where they see the Holy Spirit leading them. She is currently chair for international affairs for Central Bedeque Women's Institute.

Judy lives in North Bedeque, Prince Edward Island. She married Robert on August 23, 1969. They have four grown children, two boys and two girls: Denise (son-in-law, Brian), Craig (daughter-in-law Crystal) their son, Connor, Brent (daughter-in-law, Shelley) and Ann. Their grandson, Connor, is the apple of their eye!

Judy served on the ecumenical Summerside Christian Council, including one year as chairperson. She has collected for the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Flowers of Hope campaign for the mentally challenged. In 1996, she returned to Holland College for a two-year program to obtain diplomas in business management and sales management.

Judy attends aqua fitness classes three times a week for exercise and to maintain a healthy back after having two spinal surgeries. Her hobbies are reading, walking on the beach, cycling on the rails to trails on Prince Edward Island, dancing and socializing with friends.

Danielle McNeil-Hessian
National Past President

Danielle is a member of St. Ignatius Parish Council, Bedford, Nova Scotia. Since joining the League in 1983, Danielle has held executive positions at all levels. Highlights of her experience in the League include that of charter president of St. Ignatius Parish Council, Halifax Diocesan President, and Nova Scotia Provincial President. She was awarded life membership in national council in 2000. The standing committee chairs of organization, legislation, community life, spiritual development, education and health and resolutions have all contributed to Danielle's growth in the League.

Danielle is committed to life-long learning and received her university degrees as a mature student at Mount Saint Vincent and St. Mary's University. She has been a classroom teacher, a school principal supervisor and is currently a coordinator of school administration. As a professional educator, she has been involved in planning for improvement throughout her career and over the years has been involved in professional development, presenting leadership workshops, conflict resolution, modules for administrators and effective teaching in-services for new teachers.

Danielle is a widow and parent of four adult children, Shannon, Robert, Kelly-Marie and Eryn. She is also the oldest child of 17 children, 11 boys and six girls. Family continues to be a very important part of Danielle's life.

Coordinating and facilitating Spirituality: A Day of Discovery, experience animating Project GROW and membership on the national executive have provided opportunities for Danielle to serve the League and to develop herself both spiritually and personally. Danielle is grateful for the opportunities she has been given through membership in and service to the League.

Margaret Ann Jacobs
National Chairperson of Spiritual Development

Margaret Ann is a retired school teacher, married to Michael, editor of the community newspaper, The Springwater News , mother of three adult sons and grandmother to Ethan and Sean in Cochrane, Alberta and Sophie and Mazie who live in Barrie, Ontario. She joined Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Council in northern region of the Archdiocese of Toronto as a new bride in 1969 and through the years has worked on most of the standing committees at parish, regional or diocesan level. From 1997-1999, Margaret Ann served as Toronto diocesan president and then on the Ontario Provincial Council as standing committee chairperson for spiritual development, education and health, resolutions, organization, and provincial president.

Over the years she has been actively involved in a wide variety of church and community groups. Volunteer work includes nursing home visitation, Birthright, Out of the Cold, blood donor clinics and, of course, helping with the newspaper. She has enjoyed presenting leadership courses and a variety of other workshops for the League at the diocesan and provincial levels and truly welcomed the opportunity to participate in many workshops and conferences. Margaret Ann has a passion for liturgy and pursue opportunities to develop her spirituality and journey in faith with other Christians.

Recently she has been working with a group called Catholics Caring for Our Community, a countywide social justice and advocacy committee . Currently, she is on the board of directors for Catholic Biblical Association of Canada, and has been elected to the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada.

It is with great joy, hope and anticipation that Margaret Ann undertakes the role of chairperson of spiritual development and looks forward to journeying together in faith, sharing the good news, prayer services, ideas and resources. She welcomes the challenge to offer information that is current and applicable to such a vastly diverse country, each region offering rich spiritual nourishment for members in unique inspirational ways.

Peggy Roche
National Chairperson of Christian Family Life

In 2009, Peggy will celebrate 43 years of marriage with William. She is the proud mother of two and the grandmother of three.

Peggy's primary and high school education was received from the Sisters of the Presentation and Mercy Congregations. Later, she enrolled in the Public Administration Program at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and was successful in completing the courses and obtaining a certificate.

She has been involved with the League since 1990, having served at the parish level as organization chairperson and president. On the provincial level, she served as chairperson of communications, resolutions, legislation, and organization and as president. She is a life member and currently resolutions and legislation chairperson for her parish council, a member of the parish senior choir, a cantor and lector. Peggy is also a founding member of the Holy Trinity Family Aid Group

At the provincial level, Peggy facilitated spiritual reflections, workshops and presentations, while bringing the League to members in the more remote areas of her province. She worked closely with a provincial committee developing a brief on the Gulf Ferry Service and presented this brief to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Public Forum, on behalf of the provincial council. When Peggy became provincial president, she continued to build on the work of her predecessors with the CWL provincial archives.

Peggy has assisted national committee members with research for projects on the environment and homelessness. As chairperson of the Position Paper on Waste Management Ad Hoc Committee, Peggy oversaw research and compiled a draft, which was submitted to the national executive and approved. In reviewing the National Manual of Policy and Procedure, Peggy provided input through draft only proposed recommendations to the national chairperson of laws for consideration. In consultation with members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Archivists Association, Peggy submitted suggestions on how to set up and maintain archives to the national chairperson of laws for information purposes.

In 2002, Peggy retired, having worked with the Provincial Government Agency as a payroll auditor for the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. Her duties included contacting new employers for registration as well as auditing payroll records, T4s, financial statements, and reviewing any other financial records of businesses for the purpose of payroll audit, rate structure, assessment category and collections. She offered suggestions to management to help educate them in the various aspects of the Act, as it applied to their business. During her term, she was seconded for a period of time as an executive assistant to the provincial premier. In 2007, Peggy was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Newfoundland and Labrador Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission.

In 2008, Peggy was elected to the Board of Directors for the Northern Avalon Tourism Association. Peggy is a town councillor for her home town of Torbay , a founding member of the Torbay Tourism Association and council liaison and active member of the Northeast Avalon Joint Councils.

Peggy has served on the Torbay Town Council Finance Committee for the past seven years. She has been the secretary to the St. John's East Conservative Association for four years and has 18 years experiences as treasurer for the St. John's East, Federal PC Association. Peggy has 20 years experience as secretary to the St. John's South PC Association. During that time she was also secretary to the Provincial PC Association for four years.

Peggy hopes to continue her contribution to parish, community, province and nation by keeping her interests varied and true. She relies on Our Lady of Good Counsel to guide her along her faith journey with her companions, her sisters in the League.

Pearl Bridgwater
National Chairperson of Education and Health

Pearl was born in Diego Martin, a village about six kilometers from the capital of Trinidad , West Indies . Her mother was Catholic; her father a convert. Trinidad , named for the Trinity, was a great place to be Catholic. From elementary school to teachers college, Pearl was educated by nuns. Carmelites in elementary school, Holy Faith nuns from Ireland in secondary school and Holy Name sisters in Catholic Women's Teachers College. Add to this the unequal fervour of her father, Pearl was reminded daily to be grateful and to appreciate the value of prayers.

Pearl has three surviving children, two daughters and one son. Her eldest daughter lives in Pennsylvania and owns an interior decorating firm. Her youngest daughter is an oncology nurse clinician at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and her son is a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer living in Vancouver . Her first child, a boy, died at birth. She is blessed with six grandchildren, two girls and four boys.

In 1967, Pearl came to Canada to teach for the Sault St. Louis School Commission of LaSalle, Quebec. She was required to pass a proficiency test in Quebec law in order to obtain a permanent teaching certificate. After completing a McGill University program, she obtained both a bachelor and masters of education degree. After completing her education, Pearl became the only teacher with integrated special education students at the Kindergarten level in her Commission.

In 1984, Pearl , who had never heard of the CWL, was approached by a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Council in Candiac. She was invited to its Communion supper and, later that month, to her first CWL meeting. She is proof positive that the personal approach is the way to go.

Pearl has been organization and spiritual development chairpersons at parish, diocesan and provincial levels, and community life and education chairpersons at the provincial level. It is as provincial secretary, her most challenging position, that she experienced the most growth. She received her life membership in 2000.

Pearl is actively involved in her parish as a lector and catechist. She is a member of the parish orientation committee and liturgical committee and, until this year, was the chairperson for the diocesan executive and parish representative for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

In her spare time, Pearl sews for her family and close friends. She made both daughters' wedding and bridesmaids' dresses. In jack-of-all-trade-fashion, she has also upholstered chairs, made drapes and painted, and she has been told that she's a great cook.

She will always be grateful to her CWL sisters. The religious sisters taught her to be a Catholic lady, i.e., "to be seen and not heard," but the CWL taught her to be a Catholic woman "with a voice," which should be used to speak, especially for those unable to speak for themselves.

Anne Gorman
National Chairperson of Resolutions

Anne-Marie is a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Parish, Stanley, New Brunswick, except during university and graduate school. She joined the League in 1977 following the death of her mother who had been an active member of the local council. As Anne-Marie studied League documents she grew to appreciate the organization's commitment to spiritual development as well as mandates addressed by the standing committees.

Anne-Marie served in all capacities in her small parish council, while being invited to act as chairperson of education and health at the diocesan level. She loved serving the League in a different and wider capacity and has also served as chairperson of communications, spiritual development and resolutions. While she became excited about resolutions, she found that even the word struck fear and trepidation in some members. She noted, “An opportunity was born, to educate and sing the praises of the outcomes that could be achieved by putting our faith into action.” She has researched and written countless resolutions over the years and is pleased to say that the members' attitudes have changed immensely. Many members now understand that the study and writing of resolutions is a tangible expression of their love of the League and they appreciate the changes that may be achieved. Anne-Marie has given several workshops over the years and has enjoyed meeting her sisters around the province while facilitating programs developed for them by national committees and sharing the good news that is the League.

While serving as liaison for communications for an annual national convention Anne-Marie appreciated the opportunity to meet members of the national executive who she saw as “role models committed to healing a wounded world.” Meeting national presidents during their visits to New Brunswick further cemented her interest and desire to serve wherever she was needed.

Anne-Marie has met many members whose sisterhood she cherishes; and the oral histories of life members, past chairpersons of national standing committees and presidents have taught her to love the League even more. She was honoured with a life membership in 2003.

Coming from a farm family (eight brothers and one sister) that valued education, she received her post-secondary education at St. Francois. Xavier University (a bachelor of science degree. in physical education with a minor in English), followed by years of teaching physical education and English, while coaching basketball, volleyball, and badminton teams. Post-graduate study followed at the University of Maine at Orono and the University of New Brunswick (a master of education degree). Following a hiatus from teaching, she continued in the classroom, followed by years as a school guidance counsellor and administrator. A strong and encouraging view of youth is the gift she has received from the hundreds of students with whom she has interacted, leaving her to believe she had chosen the best career in the world for her.

Anne-Marie is a widow with four grown children, three of whom are married. She is the proud grandmother of five gorgeous grandchildren, the last of which was delivered in November 2010. Whether at the arrival of new grandchildren or at the passing of a beloved brother, Anne-Marie continues to believe that “God is good, all the time.”

Terri Scott
National Chairperson of Legislation

Upon marriage at beautiful Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, British Columbia, and shortly thereafter a military transfer to Kingston, Ontario, Terri attended her first Military Ordinariate (MO) CWL meeting in 1977. She thought that, once you were married, you had to join to make perogies for funerals! Since then, she discovered the camaraderie and support of the many fine women in the League across Canada and Germany . She has held a variety of positions and serviced as parish council president in Cold Lake, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Lahr, West Germany (where they were blessed with a son); and again in Cold Lake, where she was presented with the Maple Leaf Service Pin. Terri joined the MO provincial executive as resolutions chairperson in 1994.

In 1996, while living in Winnipeg, Terri's husband was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away shortly thereafter. After 20 years with the MO, Terri transferred to the Manitoba provincial executive, where she again embraced the resolutions standing committee for another two terms. She was also the spiritual development chairperson and the organization chairperson before becoming president. Terri is currently a member of St. Peter Parish Council.

Terri served as Religious Education Coordinator at 17 Wing Chapel in Winnipeg . She assisted in the revision of the national Executive Handbook, conceived the idea of the Air Miles collector card for MaterCare International and assisted in setting up the program.

After seven years of part-time studies, and on the afternoon of the same day that she assumed the office of provincial president, Terri graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts and was among the first to graduate in the field of Rhetoric and Communications.

Terri was born in Ituna, Saskatchewan, the oldest of six siblings. Her Ukrainian heritage has led her to appreciate many traditions and cultures. She enjoys travelling, cooking, gardening and scrap-booking.

Kim Scammell
Executive Director

Kim was born and raised in Winnipeg, Man. Her education and work experience has been varied and interesting. To support herself while attending university, Kim worked at four part time jobs concurrently. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science (Honors) with Distinction in 1988, majoring in genetics. Prior to graduation, she accepted employment with a public accounting firm and committed herself to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA).

Kim spent five years at an accounting firm performing audits, financial reviews and tax assistance for clients in various industries. Many of her clients were not-for-profit organizations and she thoroughly enjoyed these audits. As a CA student, in addition to receiving practical on-the-job training, she was required to take accounting courses, two of which earned her Gold Medals.

After receiving her CA designation in 1991, Kim found employment in industry where she has been employed as a controller for the past six years. Her responsibilities have included all aspects of finance and administration, giving her the opportunity to develop a keen business instinct.

Kim has volunteered with various organizations over the years, primarily those which support and increase awareness of the mentally and physically challenged. In her parish, she has also volunteered as a catechist and is currently on the school board.

Kim is married to David and has one son, two daughters, and two step-daughters.

Fran Lucas
Alberta Mackenzie Provincial President

Fran was born raised on a farm near Chipman, Alberta, to parents of Polish descent. She has one brother and one sister and is the youngest child. Her eldest sister, along with 16 other high school students, was killed in the Chipman-Lamont school bus/train accident in 1960.

Fran is married to George and have one son, Andrew, who was married this July. Fran's parish is St. Joseph Basilica where she has volunteered her time at the parish office as well as coordinated wedding rehearsals. She has been a Eucharistic minister for the past 10 years and continues to find it a very rewarding ministry.

For a number of years Fran had her own consulting company delivering training sessions for Alberta Tourism. Looking for other challenges she was recruited by Northlands in 1991. After years as its training manager, she is now the manager of volunteer services. To relax, Fran enjoys walking and reading and wekend trips to the mountains are wonderful escapes for her and George.

Fran has been a member of the Edmonton diocesan fieldworkers for the past eight years; she was on the Spiritus committee, Archbishop Collins Strategic Planning Committee on the Definition of Marriage and the committee that recommended the revisions for the Catholic Girl's League (CGL) Administration Manual; and is currently on the Catholic Conference 2010 planning committee. In July 2004 she started a new group of young League women who chose the name for their group to be the "Bizarre Women". The definition of this "bizarre" is "strikingly out of the ordinary". The challenge for these women was and continues to be to look at ways the League can successfully recruit and retain members. They remain strong members at their parish councils, many of them having been the president. In 2005, while Edmonton diocesan president, Fran was instrumental in the start up of a council at St. Joseph's College at the University of Alberta. This is still the first of its kind on Canada. In january 2007, she organized a CGL at the Jean Forest All Girls Leadership Academy in Edmonton.

Over the past 20 years, the League has offered Fran a wealth of opportunities to grow spiritually, make new friends in a number of provinces, and in the past three years to work with young women and girls who have a love for the League that should be bottled and sold!

As the newly-elected provincial president, Fran is humbled to represent the Alberta Mackenzie membership and is prepared to work hard in support of the 10,000 plus members she represents.

Nancy Simms
B.C. & Yukon Provincial President

Nancy Simms was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and is the youngest in a family of six children, with her oldest sibling being only six years older than herself (and no, there are no twins in the family). As a child she was very shy and when she reminisces, she is amazed that she was able to survive as a waitress as a young adult.

Nancy joined the League in 1990 while living in 100 Mile House, British Columbia just after the birth of her fourth child, with her oldest being four years of age. Not long after becoming a member, her council considered disbanding since no one wanted to take on the presidency. It was then that Life Member Ann Devlin, who has become Nancy's greatest mentor in the League, convinced her that she had the ability to be council president. She admits that her knowledge was very limited, so she cleaned out that church hall closet with all the League history (and then some!) and began reading. Her family had no kitchen table for a week, but she learned about the League and was amazed with its capacity to make a difference in the world!

Since then Nancy has gone on to be diocesan chairperson of Christian family life, resolutions, and organization and then diocesan president. On the provincial level she has served as chairperson of resolutions, education and health and organization and now president. Also in 2004 she was appointed for a two year term to the national resolutions committee. Having the opportunity to serve in these positions she has been part of a provincial delegation to meet with the British Columbia provincial government four times and has written or co-authored numerous workshops that have been facilitated throughout the province. She has also collaborated on or initiated many resolutions. Her League passions are spirituality, resolutions and facilitating workshops!

Nancy now lives in Kamloops, British Columbia with her wonderful husband of 25 years. Since her beginnings in the League she has taught confirmation classes, was president of a local pro-life organization, welcomed numerous foster children into their home, and has owned and operated a housecleaning business with approximately 25 employees for almost ten years now. In her spare time she loves to travel, read and most of all spend time with her four grandchildren.

The League has given Nancy the confidence, support, love and friendship that she has needed, and continues to need to make her dreams come true.

Susan Bernier
Manitoba Provincial President

A charter member of Notre Dame de Lorette Parish Council in 1989, much to her own surprise, Susan Bernier came home from that organizational meeting as president-elect, serving the new council with her family, one sister-in-law as charter president and the other as convener. Since that first meeting, Susan has let her name stand for election with a willingness to serve where called, having held an executive position at some level of the League for all but one year of that time.

Susan has also served the League as an animator for Project Grow, public relations and publicity chairperson for the 1999 and 2008 annual national conventions and convention guest journalist for five years. Awarded the maple leaf service pin by her parish council and life membership by the St. Boniface Archdiocesan Council, Susan now serves as president of the Manitoba Provincial Council.

Celebrating 30 years of marriage to Leo (and his very large extended family), they are parents of four and very proud grandparents of their first grandchild Sebastian, born just two days before the provincial convention this spring. Working full time as an office administrator for a general contractor, Susan balances her time by living family life fully in faith and hope gathered in celebration for any and all occasions, and moments stolen away, reading on the deck in summer or curled up cozy in the winter.

Barbara Thuen
Military Ordinariate Provincial President

Barbara was destined to be on the move. Born in St. Boniface (Winnipeg) Manitoba, her family moved to California when she was only two years old and she has been on the go ever since! The family returned to Winnipeg, where Barb finished school and attended university.

She joined the military and, with an honour's degree in psychology, became a logistics officer specializing in finance. She met, dated, and married the love of her life, Eldren, while both were posted to Winnipeg.

When Barb became pregnant with their first child and faced living halfway across the country from her husband, she retired from the military to become a full-time mom. Barbara and Eldren have lived on Canada's west coast and in Winnipeg, with training and visits to every province. The family also spent four years on a posting to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Barbara always volunteered at her daughters' schools as well as in Brownies and Guides of Canada, and is now the coordinator of volunteers at the Winnipeg Military Family Resource Centre. In this position she is able to share her experiences in military life with those facing the same situations that she faced in the early years.

Barbara joined the League in Winnipeg, just after the birth of their second daughter. Her daughters, Danielle and Karen, joined the League when they turned 16 (with a gift membership from Mom) and have been members ever since. Barbara has held all executive positions at her local council, as well as chairing most of the standing committees. She was appointed as secretary to the Military Ordinariate Provincial Council, and chaired most of the standing committees there as well. Barbara assumed the presidency in May 2010. The support and encouragement from Eldren, Danielle and Karen has been instrumental in helping Barb along her League journey, and she looks forward to continuing the journey.

Joyce Green
New Brunswick Provincial President

It was hard for Joyce to imagine that when she said ‘yes’ to a friend’s invitation to join the League 29 years ago that she would become the New Brunswick provincial president. She has often been asked to step out of her comfort level and take on new challenges.

Joyce is a convert to Catholicism, but with the support and encouragement of her husband Paul and family Paula, Noella (Sean), Derrick (Jill), Carrie (Chris), grandchildren Madison and Emily Owens, and Blake and Julia Green, she has become very involved in the work of the League.

Through the League, Joyce has been given the opportunity to attend many retreats and workshops. Father Ralph McRae has told her that, “When you make a sacrifice you receive a blessing.” By watching and learning from others, she has gained the confidence to present workshops. While chairperson of community life, she led her parish council through the five session workshop Breach of Trust, Breach of Faith. In her first year as diocesan president she was blessed with time to travel through New Brunswick and learn from Honorary Life Member Vivian Bosch who gave workshops on Discovering My Story and Mentoring. Without the mentoring of Vivian, Joyce would not have had the confidence to go forward. Joyce was asked to be guest speaker at the Moncton Diocesan Convention in May 2008. She spoke about Why I Love the League and shared a bit of her own story.

Joyce has been active in formulating resolutions on fetal alcohol syndrome, protection of human life, universal day care, and toxic substances in household products. She and Anita LeGresley co-presented resolution workshops.

Joyce also co-presented the One in the Spirit Workshop on two separate occasions. These were rewarding experiences as she learned about the saints and saw others grow spiritually. At the past two provincial conventions Joyce presented miniworkshops on the Words of Peace and Hope and an Annual Reporting Workshop. She often commented "It is always rewarding when delegates have questions; it means they must have been listening." She was deeply honoured to become a Life Member at the Saint John annual diocesan convention in May 2011.

Joyce looks forward to the next two years and has used the New Brunswick newsletter to ask for a “grassroots” response in development of the new theme Centred on Faith & Justice. She is proud to serve the League and will continue to do so with New Brunswick Provincial Spiritual Advisor Fr. Stanislas Paulin’s guidance and God’s help.

Agnes Kenney
Newfoundland and Labrador

Agnes grew up in Conche, Newfoundland and Labrador, the oldest girl of nine children. Her community was known for the importance of the practice of one's faith, an emphasis on pursuing a good education, working hard, and giving back to society. This was much appreciated by Agnes when she later moved on and continued her career in other parts of the province. Her heart was set on being a nurse; however, she taught for three years in her parish and then decided to enter the presentation order, known for excellent teaching. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia , followed by a Master in Education with a major in high school English at the University of Maine in Orono.

When the role of the laity received more prominence in the church, Agnes left the religious order 25 years later. She continued to attend daily mass and use some of her spare time in reaching out to others in need. She is also an important part of her nieces and nephews lives — all 18 of them and, now, her grand nieces and nephews — 19 of them and more to come! She has been a volunteer at one of the city hospitals for 21 years, 15 of these spent in palliative care and finds this work very meaningful.

In her parish she has been chairperson of the parish council, served on the hospitality committee, bereavement team and catechetical team, as choir member, lector, Eucharistic minister, has ministered to the sick, prepares for and attends the liturgy in her parish nursing home and leads the rosary before daily mass.

In 2000 Agnes joined the League and was elected that year to her parish council executive. After six years with her parish council, she was approached to take the position of chairperson of a standing committee with the provincial executive and served two years as chairperson of Christian family life. She was next approached to take on the responsibility of president-elect/organization which she did after prayer and deliberation!

Agnes looks forward to the next two years as provincial president. She knows that she has many friends in the League who are only too eager to help with advice and suggestions as a result of their love for the League and its future. Agnes is always ready to ask and to listen and where applicable to implement, with the support and help of her executive, and life member liaison, what is determined to be in the best interest of the League.

Mary MacDonald
Nova Scotia Provincial President

Mary MacDonald was born in Antigonish but lived in Glencoe, Guysborough County, with her parents, five brothers and four sisters, as well as her paternal grandparents. She completed her high school education at St. Joseph’s Convent High School in Mabou and graduated from Cape Breton Business College, Sydney, with a secretarial diploma.

She worked for many years in the secretarial field with both the federal and provincial governments and the private sector. Mary joined St. Joseph Parish Council in Halifax in 1988 where she held various executive positions and was parish president for four terms. When her church was closed in 2005 she joined neighboring St. Theresa Parish Council where she has served as chairperson of legislation, resolutions, and spiritual development. She currently serves as parish council president as well.

Mary is a member of St. Brendan’s Chapel at CFB Halifax where she has served as vice-chairperson of parish council, as well as lector and Eucharistic minister.

For six years, Mary served on the Halifax diocesan executive as secretary, chairperson of communications, and chairperson of education and health.

At the provincial level, Mary has served as secretary, and chairperson of legislation, resolutions and organization. In 2010, she was elected president of the Nova Scotia Provincial Council and during the 2010 provincial convention, received her life membership.

Mary has two sons, one daughter and five grandchildren, all living in the Halifax area.

Over the years Mary has been active in all aspects of parish and community life. Throughout her time in the League Mary has met many wonderful women who have become life-long friends and have helped her grow in her faith and love for the League. Spending time with her family and grandchildren is her greatest joy.

Shari Guinta
Ontario Provincial President

Shari Guinta is a resident of Waterloo, Ontario with her husband of 35 years, Peter. They have two adult children, Andrew and Sarah.

Shari started her League journey in 1986 at Sacred Heart Parish Council, Kitchener, Ontario when there was a membership drive and although she had never heard of the Catholic Women's League, it sounded like something she wanted to know more about. At her first meeting she was asked to serve as recording secretary on the executive and by 1991 she was serving as president. Following that, she served on the diocesan council for 14 years and was president from 2001 to 2003. While diocesan president, she started the first diocesan vocations mass, a mass celebrated in Hamilton diocese each year to profile and pray for vocations.

Over the years, Shari has presented workshops and was a presenter for Project GROW. Her latest workshop, “Trying to be a Mary in a Martha World” was first designed for a provincial convention; she has presented it many times since and says it is her favourite.

Once elected to the provincial council, she served as treasurer, chairperson of both spiritual development and organization and is now president. She was awarded her life membership in 2005 from the Hamilton Diocesan Council.

Shari is involved in her parish, St. Michael, Waterloo as minister of the word and member of the building and maintenance committee. She also assists in coordinating the confirmation program.

She is also a member of the KW Serra Club, an international organization that fosters, promotes and prays for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Being a business woman and owning a busy property management company makes for a hectic life but she always has time for the League. She says, “I get so much more out of the League than I could ever put into it.” She is thankful to have the opportunity to meet so many intelligent, spiritual women through the League and looks forward to her continued journey.

Zita Cameron
Prince Edward Island Provincial President

Zita was raised in Sherwood which is now part of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She is a younger member of a family of fifteen. With the foundation laid by Christian parents, she has relied on her faith to face the challenges of being a Christian woman.

After teaching for a few years, Zita earned her Bachelor of Education degree and married Garry Cameron in 1975. They have three children; two of the three are married and one works as a teacher like her parents. The Camerons have two grandsons.

When her youngest child started school, Zita returned to work as a substitute elementary teacher for the following 23 years. As her children grew, Zita became involved in soccer, hockey, softball and swimming. She became a member of the Women's Institute in 1977 and helped in many activities in her home village of Kingston. Zita taught religion classes for 17 years, is a Eucharistic minister, lector and, when called upon, an altar server. She has participated in Renew and other adult faith formation programs, such as “What Makes Us Unique as Catholics.” She readily offers to serve at coffee parties, funeral receptions and other activities in her parish.

Zita has been a member of the League since 1987, following in the footsteps of her mother. At the parish council level, she has served as president, secretary and chairperson of organization and education and health. Her first involvement at the national level was serving as chairperson of registration at the annual national convention in Charlottetown in 2000.

While preparing to serve a second term as parish council president, she agreed to serve at the provincial level if someone was prepared to take her place. The first two years she served as chairperson of spiritual development then was asked to consider the position of president-elect. Zita knew that would lead to service as provincial president; with lots of prayers and discussion with League sisters, she decided to say “Yes.” Two events helped her to make her decision. Upon hearing the hymn, “Here I Am, Lord” she felt the Lord was speaking directly to her. Shortly after, her parish priest ended a homily with the words, “If not you, then who? And if not now, then when?” Zita felt she could not refuse the call.

Zita reports that the years since she joined the League have been full of spiritual and personal growth and laughter. She feels truly honoured to serve as provincial president and has met so many members provincially and nationally who have inspired her to be a better person. She has also enjoyed the opportunity to meet with members of other churches to share what they have in common.

Zita loves to travel, especially to visit family in Ontario, but is always glad to return to her beloved Island.

Diane Lemay
Quebec Provincial President

Diane was born and raised in London, Ontario. She grew up in an extended family of her maternal grandparents, parents and one brother.

Diane joined the Army Reserves while still in high school and after five years decided that it was time to spread her wings and see the world so she transferred to the Regular Force (Air Element). Her first posting was to Clinton, Ontario, 40 miles from London. So much for seeing the world! Her next posting took her to Trenton , Ontario where she met her husband Mike.

Two years after Diane and Mike were married, they were moved to CFB Greenwood in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Diane's two children, Michael and Elizabeth were both born in Berwick and they consider themselves to be Nova Scotians. It was in Greenwood that Diane was first introduced to the League. As a stay-at-home mom it was a great way to spend an evening without the children.

Soon it was time to move again. This time to Lahr, West Germany. Diane transferred to the council in Lahr and started on a journey that has spanned 32 years. She has been a member of five parish councils, one diocesan council and two provincial councils.

After returning from Lahr, Diane once again joined the Military and stayed until she reached retirement age. After retiring she decided that she would go back to school and with the help of the National Bursary Fund she was able to complete a certificate in pastoral ministries. Since learning is a life long process, Diane decided to continue her studies and received her Bachelor of Arts – Major in Theology from Concordia University in 2009.

Diane is employed as a pastoral agent in the Diocese of St Jean Longueuil. She is responsible for faith education of children and adults in four parishes.

Diane is proud to be a member of the League and is thankful for all that the League has given her in the way of friendships, self confidence and the chance to grow spiritually.

Gerri Holmes
Saskatchewan Provincial President

Gerri Holmes, born and raised in the Leader area, is the oldest in a family of four. She moved to Eston in 1969 to work and has called it home ever since. Gerri, now divorced, was married for 21 years and blessed with a son and a daughter; she is now a grandmother of five.

She took a hairstylist course and enjoyed that career for 23 years, owning her own salon for 13 of those years. During this time she was always involved in her community, through the various activities in which her children were involved, as a member of the executive of the board of trade, charter member of Lioness Club and town councellor for nine years.

In 1992 she made a career change and is now a home health aide working for homecare and a school bus driver along with two other part-time jobs.

Joining the League in 1979 Gerri has held executive positions in her parish council including chairperson of education and health, chairperson of spiritual development, and president for four terms at different times, one term of which she co-chaired. At the diocesan level, she has served as chairperson of community life, chairperson of organization, and president. Provincially she enjoyed serving as chairperson of community life, communications and organization and was elected to the office of president in June 2009. She received the Maple Leaf Service Pin from her parish council in 2007. She was involved with Project Grow and did various workshops in the diocese. She feels blessed to have been able to serve in these capacities over the years.

Gerri is a Lay Formation Program graduate, a member of the diocesan pastoral council and presently the chairperson of the Eatonia diocesan deanery.

In her home parish she is involved with various ministries, serving as a lector, usher and Eucharistic minister. She does the ministry rotation scheduling, church bulletin, has chaired the annual bishop's appeal for the last 17 years and serves as the secretary to her parish pastoral council for the last 17 years, serves on the liturgy committee and currently is also the bookkeeper. She can be found most Sunday mornings at the entrance of the church overseeing that all the ministries are covered before mass begins.