Meet Our Executive

Bishop Wayne L. Lobsinger was born in 1966 the first child of Larry and Eileen Lobsinger. Raised in the Waterloo Region, he received his Secondary School Honours Diploma in 1985. After one year in the honours music program at Wilfred Laurier University, he entered seminary at Resurrection College, St. Jerome’s College, University of Waterloo and there completed his Bachelor of Arts degree.

He then entered St. Peter’s Seminary, part of King’s College, Western University, London, Ontario and completed his Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop A.F. Tonnos, Bishop of Hamilton on April 17, 1993 and to the Presbyterate on May 7, 1994. As Associate Pastor he served at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Hamilton, St. Anthony Daniel Parish, Kitchener, St. Eugene Parish, Hamilton and Holy Cross Parish, Georgetown. In 2003 he was named Pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Kincardine with missions at Sacred Heart, Teeswater and St. Anne, Riversdale. In 2005, he was named Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kitchener and its mission St. Brigid in Ayr. In 2012, he was named Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Waterdown. In 2019, he was named Pastor of St. Ann Parish, Ancaster. On November 21st 2020 he was appointed by Pope Francis as the Titular Bishop of Gemellae in Numidia and Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton, ON.

On April 18th 2021, his Episcopal Ordination took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton, ON Bishop Wayne has also served in a number of Diocesan roles including: Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Ustrzycki (1994-2003), Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary, Hamilton Comitium (1992 – 2016), Vice-chair and then Chair of the Clergy Updated 3april2023 Seminar Committee (2001-2004) and Chaplain to the Kitchener Knights of Columbus, third and fourth degrees (2005-2012). In 2010 he was elected as a member of the Diocesan Personnel Board and as Chair of the Presbyteral Council; he was re-elected to these two roles in 2013. In 2011, he was appointed to the Diocesan College of Consultors and as the Diocesan Representative to the Canadian Federation of Presbyteral Councils. In March of 2014 he was appointed coordinator of the “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds” program for the Diocese and in September of 2014 was appointed as Episcopal Vicar for Consecrated Life.

For twenty-three of the past twenty-eight years, Bishop Lobsinger has led an annual pilgrimage to various countries throughout the world. He is also a trained organist, and for two and a half seasons he was the organist for the Kitchener Rangers Junior A hockey team. The Bishop has one brother and four nieces. His parents and his brother’s family continue to live in the Waterloo Region.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Shari moved to Toronto to attend college and finally settled in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband Peter. They have 2 adult children.

Shari’s League journey began in 1986 at Sacred Heart Parish, (Kitchener). When she attended her first CWL meeting, she was asked to serve as recording secretary, and she became parish council president in 1991. Following that, she served on the Hamilton Diocesan Council and was diocesan president from 2001 to 2003.

Once elected to the Ontario Provincial Council, Shari served as treasurer, chairperson of spiritual development, organization and became provincial president in 2009 to 2011. Elected to the national executive in 2012, she served as chairperson of resolutions, secretary treasurer, and chair of spiritual development before becoming president elect and then national president in 2023.

Shari received her life membership in 2005 and is active in her parish, St Michael, Waterloo as a minister of the Word and chairs the parish finance council. She also serves on the diocesan finance council for the diocese of Hamilton. In 2014, Shari was honored with the papal honor of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal.

She currently is a member of the board of directors and past chair of the Brothers of the Good Shepherd Non Profit Homes. Shari has been a business woman most of her career life, owning several businesses particularly in condominium management and specializing in non-profit housing.

Shari expresses her thankfulness to have met and interacted with so many intelligent, spiritual, insightful women through the Catholic Women’s League and looks forward to her continued journey.

Betty has been married to her husband Nick for 40 years as of July 2024. They have two sons, Nicholas (37) and Christopher (33). Currently, Betty is the marketing manager, event planner and creative consultant for her family-owned winery. She also serves as vice president of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce.  

Betty joined the Catholic Women’s League in 1986 and has been chairperson of several standing committees at the parish and diocesan levels before becoming president of St. Catharines Diocesan Council.  

She served the provincial executive as newsletter editor, chairperson for communications, Christian family life, spiritual development, and organization. The highlight of her service at the provincial level was being elected Ontario provincial president in 2013.  

Betty has also served as a subcommittee member for national council under Christian family life, education and health and community life. She received her maple leaf service pin and was honoured with life membership in 2005. 

Over the years, Betty has given presentations and workshops and volunteered for many organizations. She is a cantor, minister of the word and a member of the diocesan pastoral council. She has served as national chairperson of community life, legislation and communications standing committee, as well as chairperson of the 100th anniversary committee. Presently, she serves as national vice-president.  

Betty’s 38 years in the League have been spiritually enriching and rewarding experience filled with blessings. She feels that the best part of being in the League, is having sisters all across Canada walking with her on her spiritual journey to pray with in times of joy or to help carry the cross in times of sorrow. She is honoured to be able to serve her League sisters on the national level. 

Dorothy Johansen was born in Calgary, Alberta and currently lives in Edmonton. Dorothy is married to Michael, and they have one daughter, Jamie. Following her mother’s advice that it was an excellent way to make friends quickly in a new parish, she became a member of the League in 1985. She is currently a member of the St. Thomas More Parish Council (Edmonton).

Dorothy received her post-secondary education at the Memorial University of Newfoundland (bachelor of science degree in physical geography.) After working for a few years, she attended the University of Alberta (bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering) and completed two certificates in oil sands technology and management development. She created a family business to pursue her passion for owning and operating a store that caters to quilters and needleworkers.

She is currently a secretary for her council and is the treasurer for the Edmonton and District Quilter’s Guild. She finds that being on a board or executive is a good way to get to know a smaller group of members really well.

The League is still her source of sisterhood, friendship and opportunity. The opportunity taken is to learn more about how we can better communicate with our members and to oversee the finances and records of the League.

Dorothy became the national secretary-treasurer at the national level in August 2023.

Rolande Chernichan, who is of French-Métis heritage, is a fraternal twin who grew up the eldest girl in a family of 13 children in the farming community of Fisher Branch, Manitoba. After high school, she moved to Winnipeg for employment. She married the love of her life, Bob, in 1973, and they made their home on a five-acre rural property in Ile-des-Chênes. Rolande worked as a medical secretary-receptionist for several years and partnered with Bob in his home-based self-employed backhoe business and as a partner in a golf course. Being blessed with five wonderful children, Rolande eventually became an at-home mom and devoted herself to being a full-time homemaker, raising their children, bookkeeping for their business, and giving of her time as a volunteer in her parish of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, its schools, as well as in the community. 

Rolande was introduced to the League on the invitation of then-national president, Evelyn Wyrzykowski, who sought her out to become the president of a parish council that Evelyn wished to organize. Evelyn was naturally too busy to be Rolande’s mentor but assured her that the League had all the resources necessary to lead a council and that all one had to do was read. Rolande accepted the call, serving as charter president of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Parish Council in 1989, holding membership with that council for the past 35 years. With the aim of keeping members connected and informed, Rolande initiated her council’s monthly newsletter. She has assisted in the research and development of all 22 resolutions adopted by her parish council, five of which went on to be adopted at the national level. In 2012, Rolande was awarded the maple leaf service pin by her council. 

Rolande’s League experience has come from serving in several officer positions at the parish, diocesan and provincial levels, as well as on several ad hoc committees. From 2008-2010, she served as St. Boniface Diocesan president, a term marked by celebrating the 60th anniversary of the council and implementing email communication to parish councils. Her service at the diocesan level included developing and facilitating resolutions workshops as well as workshops aimed at League leadership training. She also initiated two diocesan council resolutions and co-authored manuals for conducting elections at the parish, diocesan and provincial levels, supported by electronic files for ease of use. In 2016, Rolande was awarded life membership by St. Boniface Diocesan Council. 

Rolande’s service at the provincial level included being a facilitator for Catch the Fire! workshops, developing and facilitating S’Mores, and annual resolutions workshops. She served as president of Manitoba Provincial Council (2017-2019), a term marked by celebrating the council’s 70th anniversary, hosting the national convention by Manitoba (2018), launch of the provincial council’s website, as well as the start of implementing the League’s strategic plan in her province. 

Rolande’s service at national level has included being appointed to the national resolutions committee (2014-2016), serving as provincial president, serving as national chairperson of resolutions (2021-2023), and currently serving as national chairperson of faith. Her term as national chairperson of resolutions resulted in several resources being developed to assist members in the development of resolutions. 

Membership in the League has been a gift to Rolande, who is quick to admit that she has gotten more out of being a member than she could have imagined. She has experienced spiritual growth, she has learned skills that have served her well in other organizations, she has gained confidence in leadership and public speaking, she has a fuller appreciation of the broader impact of the League beyond the parish level, she has greater awareness of social justice issues and avenues to address them, she has been supported and affirmed by the sisterhood of the League, and she feels blessed to have the friendships of League sisters from coast to coast. Rolande has benefitted from the passion that her mother and sisters shared as members. She delights that her three daughters are also League “sisters” who have been supportive and who have shared their professional skills to assist her in leadership roles in the League. 

Rolande is a charter member of the Manitoba Association of Parliamentarians and holds membership in the National Association of Parliamentarians. 

Rolande has remained an active volunteer in her parish throughout her League service. In 1993, she was awarded the Prix Evangelium by Archbishop Antoine Hacault in recognition of serving her parish for several years as volunteer coordinator of catechesis, for developing and facilitating sacramental preparation workshops, in addition to serving on the pastoral council, as a trustee and on the liturgy committee. Rolande has served for several years as coordinator and trainer of Ministers of the Word, and she currently serves as a reader and on the liturgy committee. 

Rolande and Bob have been blessed with nine beautiful grandchildren who keep them young at heart. They both enjoy being outdoors in their large yard, travelling, camping and making memories with their children and grandchildren. Rolande has a passion for growing flowers, so her greenhouse, flowerbeds and vegetable garden put her in touch with Creator God throughout the growing seasons. She likes to spend “R & R” time in her hot tub with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in hand, reading, reflecting, praying, and surrounded by nature, no matter the season. She feels very blessed to have the support of Bob and her family in serving God and Canada through the national level of the League. 

Joline’s story began 70 years ago in Quebec City, where she was born, and then her family settled in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. She has fond memories driving to Halifax to see the Ice Capades, and the Expo in Montreal. She started primary at a Catholic school called Saint Ambrose, and while attending school, she took piano lessons for a long time.

After university she moved to Ottawa, and worked for a federal crown corporation called Export Development. She worked there for 10 years and would often go to daily Mass at an inner city church, St. Patrick’s.

She moved back home and since 1990 she worked as a medical secretary for an Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor. She joined the Catholic Women’s League in 2000. Since joining the League in 2000, her positions on the executive were: Parish President, Diocesan President elect, President, Past President; Provincial Resolutions Chair, Treasurer, Provincial President elect, Provincial President. Pins awarded include: Maple Leaf, Life Member. She also led presentations (Leadership, Catch the Fire), Strategic Plan, and is presently Co-Committee Chairperson for the Halifax National Convention in 2026.

She owns many cats, (five) and two dogs! That is enough animals, and as each one departs this earth, it won’t be replaced by another one. Besides the Catholic Women’s League, she is also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, leader of the RCIA team at her church, for a long time loved to run, and finished a full marathon at the Bluenose Marathon in Halifax, coming third in her division. Other interests include good music, resistance training, yoga local plays, and watching “The Young and the Restless”.

Glenda grew up on a farm in the small town of Golden Prairie in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. Although very small, the Catholic community helped plant the strong roots of her faith fostered by her parents and family. Glenda eventually moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she studied nursing and met her husband, George. After living in Saskatoon for a couple of years, George joined the Canadian Navy, and they eventually transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The prairies never left Glenda’s heart as home, but the birth of her two children helped to set down new eastern roots. The beauty and warmth of the Maritime people cemented the feeling that Nova Scotia was also home. Feelings of belonging in her adopted province were also greatly fostered over the years by the wonderful relationships formed through St. Clement Parish CWL Council and her diocesan and provincial council service.

For over 35 years, Glenda has served the League in leadership roles, including parish, diocesan and provincial president and chairperson for various standing committees at all levels, special committees and projects. She became a Life Member in 2020. League service has often been a tenuous balance between a demanding career as a clinical nurse specialist, lifelong studies that eventually led to a doctorate in nursing, serving in parish ministries, and being present for her family. The extraordinary Christian compassion of many League sisters and the League’s strong spiritual, leadership and social justice focus has kept Glenda faithful and passionate in her membership for God and Canada.

Kim was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 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. Before 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 and 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 the industry, where she was employed as a controller for the past six years. Her responsibilities have included all aspects of finance and administration, allowing her to develop a keen business instinct.

Kim has volunteered with various organizations, primarily those supporting and increasing awareness of the mentally and physically challenged. She has also volunteered as a catechist in her parish and is currently on the school board.
Kim is married to David and has one son, two daughters, and two step-daughters.

Betsy was born in France to a Royal Canadian Air Force member stationed there. The family moved back to Canada when Betsy was 10 months old. She grew up on military bases in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Alberta.  

After completing her education, Betsy worked temporarily as a waitress while waiting for her new boss to open his dental practice. She worked as a chairside dental assistant for six years. During that time, she married Tom, an engineer at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at 4-Wing Cold Lake. After the birth of their two children, Betsy decided to be a stay-at-home parent—an excellent decision for their little family at the time.  

Betsy journey in the League began with a personal invitation in 1986. She served in several positions as a member at Holy Name Base Council (CFB Cold Lake) for several years within the Military Ordinariate Provincial Council before transferring to St. Dominic’s Parish Council (Cold Lake), part of the Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council. Over the years, she has moved through the League serving as president of her parish and diocesan councils, and on to filling more standing committee chairs and positions on the Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council. 

The League is a very important part of Betsy’s life, and she is very grateful for that first invitation to become a member. Through the past 38 years, she has met so many wonderful women and learned more about the League and herself.  

Being a member of the League has enriched Betsy’s faith life and helped her to become more confident.

Catherine was born to the late Dr. Hubert and Margaret Dumont in Vancouver, British Columbia, the seventh of 12 children. She is married to Art, and they have five children and 16 grandchildren.

As a member for 29 years, Catherine has always been on the executive at the parish, diocesan or provincial level and loved every minute of it. Why? Because she gets to serve God and her League sisters in all sorts of wonderful ways, her faith has deepened immensely, and she learns something new every day while continually meeting new people.

At the parish level, Catherine has been secretary, president-elect, president and past president and the chairperson of Christian family life, legislation, resolutions and community life standing committees. She served as diocesan president-elect, president and past president. As past president, she spent 125 hours gathering, organizing and filing the diocesan archives. At the provincial level, Catherine served as chairperson of spiritual development and, while president-elect, organization. While chairperson of spiritual development, she held a province-wide St. Joseph carving and carpentry contest and was amazed at how talented members were. While chairperson of organization, she organized a membership contest that brought in more than 125 new members within the province.

Catherine and Art live in Vernon, where they enjoy boating, hiking, swimming and being active in their parish of St. James Catholic Church. About 10 years ago, she started the St. James Catholic Girl’s League.

For several years, Catherine promoted a culture of life by giving pro-life talks in parishes and high schools in the north. She continues to write to politicians about “womb to tomb” pro-life issues and is a member of Vernon and Area Pro-Life Society.

Catherine attended Little Flower Academy in Vancouver, run by the Sisters of St. Ann, from Grades 1 through 12. These were some of the happiest years of her life. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor of arts degree and has her gold level in leadership and public speaking from Toastmasters International. Her further experience includes two terms on the Advisory Planning Commission for the City of Vernon. This committee advised the mayor and council on planning issues. She programmed for and worked with children for several years, worked in sales and helped her oldest son with a business start-up.

Catherine credits the League for filling a gap for her as a young mother. Her parish council in 100 Mile House was filled with young moms, some of whom she is still friends with today.

Lucille was born in Grand Falls, New Brunswick. She has 11 siblings and is number 10 in the Bernier household. The family consisted of six boys and six girls. She worked at the General Hospital in the admission/outpatient department and then in the archives department.  

After marrying Ray in 1978, she moved to Flin Flon, Manitoba, where she worked for an optometrist. She supports her husband in his business ventures. They have two adult children, a son and daughter and two grandchildren. 

Loving to be surrounded by young children, Lucille was a catechist at St. Ann’s parish for 25 years in Flin Flon. She joined the League at St. Ann’s Parish Council in 1990 and was awarded the maple leaf service pin in 2018. 

Lucille has served at the parish council level on all standing committees and enjoyed the learning process. She also served as Keewatin-The Pas Diocesan Council president for three terms and an extra year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lucille has helped present workshops on Catch the Fire! and S’Mores, and workshops on the bible and the “Virgin Mary’s Journey Through Scripture” (Scott Hahn) as well as the “Bible and the Sacraments Through Scripture” (Scott Hahn). In her diocese, she gave a presentation on the 2015-2017 national theme, One Heart, One Voice, One Mission. At a 2018 diocesan convention, she raised awareness about human trafficking by hosting guest speakers, including a trafficked survivor. In 2023, she presented on “women in the bible” at the provincial convention using a time capsule. In winter 2024, she presented a workshop with IWIN Initiative co-founders as part of the Manitoba Day of Celebration. She supported the strategic planning efforts by organizing and delivering workshops in her diocese. 

Lucille was elected to the provincial council as chairperson of spiritual development and, in August 2023, became the acting Manitoba Provincial Council president. She looks forward to continuing to learn new things and represent Manitoba at the national table. 

Her hobbies include gardening, reading and travelling. She also enjoys spending time at their cottage with family.  

Theresa grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is the youngest of five children. Once she became a registered pharmacist, Theresa joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to seek new adventures and travel. God had His own plan as Theresa met her husband Hans in basic training, and in the next year rejoined civilian life and was married. In 1984, pregnant with her first child, Theresa became a member of the CWL at St. Mary’s Chapel, CFB Gagetown. Her mother and grandmother were members of the CWL and Theresa was seeking that type of sisterhood.   Recently, Theresa was looking at the Military Ordinariate (MO) archives and found out that she held her first executive position in 1987!  

During the next twelve years Theresa had two more children, moved six more times, went back to university to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and remained an active member of the CWL in military chapels and civilian parishes.  The MO CWL was a lifeline, during those moves. Even with the complexities of re-establishing the family and career, Theresa knew that she always had a CWL sister nearby. It is a sisterhood, like no other.  

Theresa and her family moved to Ottawa in 1999 and have lived there ever since. In 2000, Theresa became the president of the newly reactivated council at Our Lady of the Airways military chapel in Ottawa and in 2003 began serving on the Military Ordinariate Provincial Council.  Theresa left the Military Ordinariate in 2010 when her husband retired, and she became a member of the St. Martin de Porres council. In 2015, after a change in the eligibility criteria for the MO CWL, Theresa had the honour of serving on the MO Provincial Council once again. Theresa is still an active member of the St. Martin de Porres community, serving as an usher and a member of the finance committee, while attending Our Lady of the Airways as a CWL member.  

Theresa just retired from an amazing career as a pharmacist. Moving frequently, she had fantastic opportunities working in a variety of pharmacy positions, in traditional and non-traditional roles. Theresa worked for 40 years either full time or part time in traditional roles such as community, hospital and long-term care pharmacy and non-traditional roles including course development and teaching, policy and regulatory development and radiation protection within Health Canada, and during the past 9 years, working in areas such as registration and licensure with the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. 

Theresa is excited for the next two years, beginning with the Unity Outreach Project. She also plans to build stronger relationships by supporting the Military Ordinariate and Chaplains while focusing on growing the membership within the CWL.   

Madonna was born in Newcastle, NB. At a very young age her family moved to Fredericton where she currently resides. Madonna feels blessed to have attended St. Dunstan’s Catholic School from grades one to nine. She and husband, Robert, celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, having their marriage blessed at St. Kevin’s church in Dublin, Ireland. They have two adult children and a sixteen year old grandson.

Joined St Francis of Assisi CWL in 1990 as her mother, 40 year member, transferred her membership because she needed transportation to meetings. Her late sister, Norah, also joined both gals and held parish positions, with Madonna going onto Parish President twice, receiving her Maple Leaf Pin in recognition of her work. She has fond memories of the convention time shared with mother and sister, Madonna wondered how the ladies at the head table got there, receiving a letter to apply for the diocesan level, when the past parish president thought maybe she could do this and waited for the last eligible year to apply and went for it, as the say the rest is history! Madonna’s daughter Lynn, sister Norma and niece Beth are members of St Francis of Assisi Parish Council.

Highlights included chaired catering at Fredericton City Hall Citizenship Ceremony, back in the day different faith communities volunteered to host. Hosting an Apple Cider Making Day fundraiser for Mary’s Meals, included in article Mary’s Meals “A Simple Solution to World Hunger” in the league magazine by National Chairperson of Community Life at the time. Member of the national sub-committee chairperson of community life (Refugees, Immigration and Citizenship) interviewing Parish Priest Father Charles Udeh, from Nigeria, with the article published in League magazine “God’s Call from Nigeria to New Brunswick”. Facilitator of the Catch the Fire team, My CWL 2022 – Changing with the Times, now involved in Unity Outreach. She was the Transportation Chair during the 2014 National Convention in Fredericton. Her meticulous planning and organizational skills ensured the success of the event, leaving a lasting impact on attendees. Also was the Member of Servant Leadership team.

Represented CWL as member of faith in diversity program. This included women from 8 different faith communities, brought together by St. Thomas Professor of religious studies, Dr. Alexander Bain who included her students, from September to March, meeting once a month.

Madonna was awarded Life Membership in 2020. She retired after 42 years of dedicated service. She is a member member of the YMCA and enjoys aqua-fit and gentle fit programs. She finds it exciting times to be part of national executive of like minded faith-filled women!

Linda is the eldest of four children and was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She was raised and still lives in the beautiful rural community of Colliers – a small town 45 minutes to the west of St. John’s in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula. She has been blessed with three sons and three grandchildren. Sadly, her husband passed away in 2022.

Professionally, Linda worked for 35 years in administration at Memorial University of Newfoundland and retired from full-time employment in 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Memorial and describes herself as a life-long learner. She cites her maternal grandparents as being the greatest influences in her life and always encouraging her to achieve her potential academically.

Born and raised as a practicing Catholic, Linda felt the need to become more involved in her parish and Christian life and “give back” to her community following the near fatal accident of her youngest son in 2014 in which he suffered a traumatic brain injury. She is a firm believer that the power of prayer granted her a miracle in her son’s survival and recovery. She is a member of her parish council’s Board of Administration and active as a lector. She became a member of the Catholic Women’s League in 2015 and has served as parish council member and president of her parish of Immaculate Conception CWL Council. Provincially, she has held the position of interim Communications Chairperson and two years as President-Elect. Her term as Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial CWL President commenced on May 28, 2023.

Linda is an avid gardener, walker, lover of animals and nature and is a passionate reader and writer. She believes in using her God-given talents to the best of her ability especially her gift for public speaking. Her favourite time of day is the first light of morning when she can enjoy her first cup of tea while sitting in her rocking chair and watching the sun rise while giving thanks for the day. She is a life enthusiast and looks forward to serving for many more years in the CWL.

Jessie was born in Inverness, Cape Breton and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She was blessed with a beautiful voice and performed in music festivals and as a soloist in her church until she graduated from high school. She attended Marianopolis College in Montreal, graduating in 1968 with a bachelor of arts, majoring in music. Jessie had decided at age seven that she wanted to be a lawyer. Despite her mother’s admonishment that “she would never get a husband that way,” she entered Dalhousie University Law School in 1968. Upon graduation, Jessie moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she articled to Mary Southin (later Madam Justice Southin of the British Columbia Court of Appeal). Upon her call to the bar, she practiced with the Vancouver City Prosecutor’s Office and the British Columbia Crown Council Office until entering private practice in 1981. She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2004 she received her certification in Mediation from Dalhousie University Henson College. 

Following a bout with breast cancer, Jessie retired from active practice and returned home to Nova Scotia in 1999. In 2008, the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour hired her to establish a pilot project, the Office of the Worker Counsellor, for two years. She remained with the program until 2015. 

Upon her retirement, Jessie was tapped by many volunteer organizations in her community. She is the past chairperson of the Tearmann Society for Abused Women, which operates a shelter for abused women and their children in several counties. She is a guest lecturer in law at her local high school, is a volunteer with Mentoring Plus (a program that matches retired people with those entering the workforce), a board member of the New Glasgow Music Festival for 19 years, and currently serves as the president of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia. With her talents as a fundraiser, she is often called upon to chair local fundraising initiatives. 

Jessie paddles with a breast cancer survivor Dragon Boat team and served as its chairperson from 2018-2022. She is the treasurer of Women Alike Breast Cancer Survivors Society, a support group that assists women financially through their journey. Jessie has been inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame with other members of her team. She is a proud international athlete, having competed in the 2018 Breast Cancer Survivor International Dragon Boat Race in Florence, Italy. 

Jessie is active in her church, St. John the Baptist. She is a member of the parish council, has served as a lector and Eucharistic minister and directs the senior choir. 

Jessie has been a member of the League for 20 years and an executive member in one capacity or another for all of those years. She was elected chairperson of legislation at her first meeting! At the parish and diocesan council levels, she has served as chairperson of organization, legislation and resolutions and has been the president and past president. She is currently the parish council co-chairperson of social justice and fundraiser extraordinaire. 

While diocesan president, Jessie was chairperson of transportation at the 2016 national convention in Halifax. Utilizing her contacts in the industry, she worked with convention chairperson Honorary Life Member Danielle McNeil-Hessian to produce the CWL scarf pin, a major convention fundraiser. 

On the provincial council, she has previously served as chairperson of organization and spiritual development. 

During her 20 years of service, Jessie has delivered numerous workshops, including Catch the Fire! and S’Mores. She has facilitated workshops on resolutions, legislation and governance at all levels of the League within her province. 

Jessie currently serves as executive secretary and chairperson of governance on the board of directors of the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation. 

Married to David for 40 years, they have one daughter, Caitlin. Jessie resides in New Glasgow with David and their Havanese dog, Sully, where she loves decorating, reading, gardening, baking and fundraising. 

Colleen was born in a small town in northern Ontario, Atikokan. She is part of a large family with 6 brothers and 1 sister. Having only one sister Colleen appreciates the additional sisterhood of the League.  

She attended Carleton University in Ottawa and graduated in 1985 earning a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting. She returned to northwestern Ontario and settled in Thunder Bay.  In 1987, Colleen married her best friend Bruce and together they have two children Jarred and Tamara.  The family grew further adding the children’s life partners Jeff and Lexy, and two grandsons Noah and Billy. 

Colleen’s passion for social justice for First Nation peoples began with work experience in 1992.  Through the subsequent years, her knowledge of the history of First Nations communities and their struggles grew as did her passion for Truth and Reconciliation.  In 2014, she became a founding member of Mikinakoos Children’s Fund which envisions a future where all First Nation children are lifted from poverty; she continues to support this work today. 

Active in the Church her whole life, Colleen responded with surprise when someone asked why she was not a member of the League in 1998.  She had never thought of it although her mother, at her passing in 2020, was a member for more than 60 years.  Immediately upon being asked, Colleen joined the League and often refers to that invitation as “the gift of joy that just keeps on giving.” 

As Diocesan President 2007-2009, Colleen challenged the 27 councils in the Thunder Bay Diocese to financially support Buy-A-Net for the eradication of malaria and more than $10,000 was raised.  Her local council gifted her a Maple Leaf Pin in 2009 and she was commissioned with a Life Member Pin in 2015. As a member of the Ontario Provincial Council for many years, Colleen was humbled by opportunities to support members in their spiritual development, promote Christian family life, and facilitate the resolutions process including a government visit and reception.  She held the positions of Treasurer, 1st Vice-President, and President-Elect prior to installation as Ontario provincial president in July 2024. 

Having forged many lifelong friends in the League, along with experiencing much personal growth, Colleen envisions continuing this journey with her sisters of the League far into the future. 

Karen was born and raised in the small community of Selkirk, Prince Edward Island and graduated from Souris Regional High School. In 1995, she graduated with honours from the Tourism and Hospitality Program at the Atlantic Travel and Hospitality Institute as a travel agent. In the early 1990s, she taught English and studied martial arts in Japan for four years. In 2003, she graduated from Holland College’s diploma program in practical nursing.

After working in acute care for Health PEI for 18 years, Karen has recently taken a position in a health clinic to allow more time for the League.

Karen has been a member for 12 years at St. Peter Parish Council in St. Peters Bay and has held the positions of secretary, president and past president, for which she still serves in that position. She has been on the provincial council since 2014, as recording secretary, president-elect/chairperson of organization and now, as provincial president.

Karen has had many meaningful experiences over the past six years, including her work as accommodation chairperson for the 2017 national convention, member of the misconceptions working group (2018-2021) and as a participant in the smartphone focus group and app discussion group for the strategic plan in 2022. She also completed the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation program (2021-2022) and the Four Seasons of Reconciliation Program online (2023). She engages in many parish activities in her home parish of St. Peter’s Bay and her former parish of St. Charles.

Karen credits the League for enabling her to meet so many wonderful women. It has allowed her to grow in faith and advance her leadership skills in ways she never thought possible. Karen’s passion for the League continues to grow, and she looks forward to what the future has in store for her.

Anna has been a member of the League at Our Lady of Good Counsel at St. Raymond Parish, Candiac, Quebec for 25 years and received her Life Membership in 2021. She has been active in her parish for many years by serving as a Eucharistic Minister and as a member of the Liturgical and Fundraising committees.   

Anna is trilingual and holds a graduate degree from McGill University. She worked for 35 years as an educator at the elementary, secondary and continuing education levels.   

As a CWL member, has served at the parish, diocesan and provincial levels. At the Diocesan level, she chaired the Education & Health, Resolutions and Legislation, and Organization standing committees. She worked on the revision of the Policy & Procedure manual and animated a workshop on Palliative Care.  

Anna was elected to the Provincial council in 2017 and chaired the Resolutions and Legislation and Organizations standing committees. She has created several interactive resources for both committees.    

In 2021, Anna was part of a committee to review CWL National position papers. In 2022, she was part of an ad-hoc Committee at the National level, to develop policies regarding League briefs, postcards, and petitions. Last year, in her role as President-Elect, she had the opportunity to reach out and connect with many councils from across the province. 

The League has provided Anna with the opportunity to work with gifted and talented women. She is grateful to the many mentors who have supported and guided her throughout her CWL journey. She has shared these experiences with her two daughters, both CWL members, who hold executive positions in her council. Anna thanks her family and her council members for their continued support and encouragement. She hopes to inspire and motivate all members in Quebec to share their gifts. Anna is honoured to be Quebec Provincial President and is looking forward to working with many remarkable, and dedicated women across the country.    

Helen began her journey in the Catholic Women’s League as a child on her mother’s lap as she held League meetings in their home. Her mother was a member of the Military Ordinate in Ontario, and later in Alberta until her father’s retirement where she then transferred to local parishes.  

Helen joined the League in 1990 shortly after the birth of her son, her youngest child. She would bring him with her to the parish meetings much to the joy of all the ‘grandmas’. A long and most exciting journey with many sisters in the League soon followed. It wasn’t many years later that she attended her first Provincial Convention in Saskatoon where she first met honorary life members Claire Heron and Heather Kolla. A discussion was held (which usually happens when Resolutions are being presented) and Helen didn’t agree with something at the time and felt it should be changed. Both Heather and Claire signed and encouraged her to bring the changes she proposed forward. They were accepted and she never turned back since, she was a member for life now! She soon accepted positions on her parish council for most of the standing committees. As things progress she was soon the council president, totalling 3 times.

Helen was then invited and voted onto the Prince Albert Saskatchewan Diocesan Council where she served on several committees. Soon she was the president on the diocesan council, having served in that position twice over the years. During this time in 1997-98 she was invited to join the Project Grow program, a program in which she learned so much more about the League. 

She accompanied youth on their pilgrimage from Saskatchewan to World Youth Days in Toronto in 2002. She also accompanied youth on a mission trip to The Steubenville Youth Conference assisting in mission work along the way. Having served as the Diocesan President she was introduced to the Saskatchewan Provincial Council. She then served on the provincial council as chairperson of communications and community life. 

She was an Altar Server from the age of 8 and during the first few years she recieved the Knight of the Altar award for her services serving mass and training new servers. She often still serves mass when needed, most often at Provincial League meetings when they celebrate the Holy Eucharist. She is also a Baptism Prep instructor helping young parents prepare for the baptism of their children. 

She leads lay services at church in the absence of the priest as well as in a seniors’ home. She brings Holy Communion to shut-ins as well and leads some funeral prayers in the parish. She ran a child daycare center in her home for many years and now is a retired Early Childhood Educator.

Her and her husband Glenn and have been married for 42 years. They have 4 grown children and 11 grandchildren.