Spiritual Development Communique #3
Terri Scott, Chairperson
October 28, 2009

Welcome to New Standing Committee Chairs
I was thrilled to have met many of you at national convention just a few short weeks ago.  Welcome to a standing committee where you will personally grow in faith, learn many things about your faith that you may have not known, and find hidden strengths you never knew you had. 

Year For Priests
The Year for Priests will continue until June 11, 2010, at which time some 407,000 priests will be called to Rome to meet with Pope Benedict XVI on the theme of Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of the Priest. The conclusion of the Year for Priests will coincide with the feast day of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and will be celebrated with mass presided by the pope. 

At national convention, National Spiritual Advisor Archbishop Martin Currie exhorted members to pray for priests and support them. Msgr. Maurice Comeault, pastor of Blessed John XXIII Parish in Winnipeg said, “My priesthood is your priesthood, a gift from God to myself as an individual but also to the parish. Let us use it and celebrate it with gratitude and thanksgiving”.

Priests and bishops need to know that they have the support of their parishioners. Please find creative ways to show hospitality and appreciation for the good administration, counsel and stewardship offered so faithfully by the clergy.  I welcome news of your creative ideas.   

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, New York, wrote, “please pray for our priests that they, like Paul, may strive to be loving pastors, insightful preachers, enthusiastic evangelists, collaborative co-workers, compassionate healers and men of fervent prayer - and thus by their life and ministry truly give honour and glory to God and bring hope, peace and joy to God's people.” (Origins  September 17, 2009)

Ecumenism
From time to time, information is requested about the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC). It is “a national council of representatives from 11 church partners, focusing on four main concerns of social justice, women’s issues, ecumenism, and the growth of women’s spirituality”. Lori Purvis, administrator of WICC, wrote:

“As an organization, WICC honours the beliefs and traditions of all eleven of our partner denominations. WICC takes no official stand on issues of abortion, birth control or same sex relationships. It is not within our mandate to do so.”

Jesus Christ expressed his desire that Christians be united when he said, “that they may all be one.  As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)

Please continue to support this most worthwhile ecumenical organization that supports women.  Congratulations again to WICC for celebrating its 90th anniversary this past spring.  The World Day of Prayer, a long-standing ecumenical initiative, is held on the first Friday in March and will be celebrated on March 5, 2010.  

News From the Vatican
In a surprise announcement from the Vatican on Tuesday October 20th, Pope Benedict has made it possible for Anglicans, uncomfortable with recent changes in the Anglican church (same-sex marriages, female ordination, gay ordination, etc.), to join the Catholic church. 

Just as there are different rites within the church, so will there be a rite made especially for disenfranchised Anglicans. Certain elements taken from Anglican rites will be combined with established Catholic liturgical practises. Whether the Catholic church will swell with members from the Anglican church remains to be seen. Ecumenism has been a focus for prayer for many years.  Is this the beginning of the answer to those prayers? Keep those joining the Catholic church in your prayers as they face this momentous adjustment. 

To read the full announcement from the Vatican, visit the following Web link: http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/24513.php?index=24513&lang=en

CWL Day of Peace and Hope April 26th
Please gather and share good ideas for special projects in preparation for April 26th, the League’s special day to show communities across Canada that members are doers “For God and Canada”. Ideas include visiting those in palliative care, helping new moms, or helping the elderly around their homes. Suggest placing a sign-up sheet in churches to identify those needing help; then suggest that volunteers divide up into groups to respond to the requests and watch communities sparkle. This may inspire women to join the League.  

One in the Spirit Workshop
Recently, another One in the Spirit workshop was held in the Winnipeg area. This workshop offers “an opportunity to become more aware of individual spiritual preferences and to enrich your relationship with God and with others.” It is a faith-filled way to explore different communication and working styles and it has the full approval of the national spiritual advisor.

Special Days in November 

With the first Sunday of Advent, November 29th, the church begins a new liturgical year and the faithful prayerfully anticipate the coming of Jesus.

Let us cherish our freedom and the many blessings in our lives.  May Our Lady of Good Counsel keep us safe within her mantle.