Rolande Chernichan, National Chairperson of Faith, March 27, 2024
FOR: Chairpersons of Faith at All Levels (new structure) and Chairpersons of Spiritual Development at All Levels (old structure)
“…the power of Easter summons you to roll away every stone of disappointment
and mistrust.… of sin and fear. [The Lord] wants to illuminate your sacred memory,
your most beautiful memory, and to make you relive that first encounter with him.
Remember and keep moving forward. Return to him and rediscover the grace of
God’s resurrection within you!” (Pope Francis)
The Lenten journey and the celebration of the Easter Triduum reaches its climax in the Easter Vigil
and Easter Sunday. Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Christians rejoice throughout the seven weeks of
Easter Season where liturgies celebrate new life, hope and joy.
Under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mary is honoured as the League’s patroness.
Members are invited to share in the Mass for Our Lady of Good Counsel that will be aired on
Saturday, April 26th on Vision TV. National President Shari Guinta will be a reader and will be
joined by members in the Abbey in Toronto where the Mass is being celebrated. Be on the lookout
for a communique by National Secretary-Treasurer Dorothy Johansen that will provide details for
viewing the Mass that day.
Councils are encouraged to plan liturgies honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary using the resource
Toolkit for Faith – Marian Devotions. It contains a guide for organizing a Mass, prayer service or
a day of prayer and reflection honouring Our Lady of Good Counsel. Everything needed to present
an educational workshop about Marian devotions, prayers, images and apparitions is contained in
the toolkit and its companion documents. Additional information about Our Lady of Good Counsel
can be found in the National Manual of Policy and Procedure (patroness section).
Please note a time-sensitive announcement! In this year of prayer in preparation for Jubilee 2025,
a series of spring and fall webinars are being offered through the Canadian Conference of Catholic
Bishops (CCCB). Led by Dr. Josephine Lombardi (St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto) the
webinar series is titled A Great Symphony of Prayer: The Our Father as a Programme of Life.
Held on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT, the dates and topics are:
April 2: Why did Jesus address God as Father?
April 9: Seeking God’s Kingdom and Knowing God’s Will
April 23: Daily Bread and the Gift of Forgiveness
April 30: Managing Trials and Resisting Evil Fall Series on Prayer
October 3: Praying with Mary/The Rosary
October 10: Praying with the Saints/St. Teresa of Avila
October 17: The Prayer of Jesus/John 17
October 24: Lectio Divina/The Storm at Sea
To register for these free webinars, follow the link register now. Celebrate faith and share the
good news of this opportunity with family, friends and colleagues!
During the months of April to August, members celebrate annual conventions. The month of May
presents occasion for councils to initiate, promote and participate in events that educate and
support the dignity of the human person. The League’s position papers regarding Abortion and
Euthanasia and Medical Assistance in Dying are foundational to members understanding these
sensitive topics from a Catholic perspective. An excellent League publication, Life and Dignity of
the Human Person, contains a wealth of information regarding resources and weblinks.
Councils may want to consider purchasing and showing the recently released video titled Roe
Canada: The True North in a Post-Roe World. For small group study in a parish setting or as
special event, an educational resource has been designed to accompany the film. Perhaps the
showing of the video can be planned for later this year to coincide with 40 Days for Life.
Several requests were received for a simple calendar of faith events to serve as a guide for councils
in planning spiritual programs for monthly meetings and other special events. With the assistance
of provincial chairpersons and appointed committee members, the attached Calendar of Faith
Events was developed. We hope the gift of this resource will be helpful.
Easter Season culminates with Pentecost Sunday. The Gospel of John 20:19-23 describes how the
disciples were locked in a room of a house when “Jesus came and stood among them and said,
‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side…. Jesus said to
them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’”
Through baptism and confirmation, members too have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Are
you ready to respond to Jesus with the words Here I am Lord, send me?
Rolande Chernichan
National Chairperson of Faith