CWL ABMK Christian Family Life Chair

The Catholic Women's League of Canada (CWL)
Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council
(Updated March 12, 2010 ; CWL-ABMK Home page at <www.cwl.ab.ca> ; Contact us at <cwlabmk@cwl.ab.ca>)

CHRISTIAN FAMILY LIFE COMMUNIQUES - combined with Community Life (Nov2009-May2011)

Chair of the (combined) Standing Committee (2009-2011): Yvette Foster <dougyvet[at]telus.net>

May 2010 CWL ABMK Christian Family Life ORAL REPORT for Convention 2010

Madam President,

It is wonderful to be among such beautiful Catholic Women of Peace and Hope.

I hope that all have visited my table and reviewed the material.

Thank you all for your prayers during the vote on the Euthanasia Bill.

I would like to bring to your attention the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Newsletter <www.epcc.ca>. A copy of this newsletter is on my table. Each council and Diocese is encouraged to register to receive this newsletter. We need to be informed about this issue. We need to write letters and meet with local members of parliament about sanctity of life to reiterate the crucial importance of the provision of excellent palliative care.

We must be very active in Pro-Life movements. I encourage each council to be members of a Pro-Life group and to actively participating in the March for Life.

A workshop is available through National called “Rainbow and Flowers” <www.cwl.ca/Programs/Rainbow and Flowers.pdf>. It was developed using World Peace: a family recipe. This is a reflection on vocation of marriage and family and the importance of passing peace on to the next generation by being a sign of peace in the family. I have a few copies on my table and the web address for you to download.

I would like to refer you to the website for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association <www.chpca.net>. It is a Canadian Government initiative to improve care to our elders.

Christian Family Life Chairpersons are encouraged to offer mentorship to the Catholic Girls League Councils. This is one way that we can help young girls in our Parishes by providing them with Faith, Formation, Fun and Fulfillment models. They will eventually become valuable CWL members. I challenge each Diocese to establish a committee to mentor councils as they form their CGLs, so that we have as many councils as possible by next year’s Convention. Please call me if you need any help, as I am very passionate about this.

In these times, we need to pray more than ever for Vocations. Please refer to the Winter 2010 edition of The Canadian League magazine for the article “A Gentle Call” by Ethel Gravelle.
My challenge to each member is to pray for the Elders, Youth, Families, Vocations and especially for our Priests in this the Year for Priests.

This concludes my report.
Yvette F.
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ALBERTA MACKENZIE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
CHRISTIAN FAMILY LIFE ANNUAL REPORT 2009

Provincial Chairperson: Yvette F.
Diocesan Chairpersons:

Calgary	vacant
Edmonton	Margaret K.
Grouard-McLennan	Denise K.
Mackenzie-Fort Smith	Pearl S.
St. Paul	Phyllis H.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Most councils reported that they did many things to support families and to give them encouragement in times of trials in their families. For celebrations of special anniversaries such as 40th and 50th, cards were sent. World Marriage Day is celebrated in many parishes. Preparing a reception for new mothers and providing day care for them was one way some councils helped the new family. Some councils reported helping with Marriage Preparations courses for engaged couples and parenting and single-parents courses.
Many councils reported that they support the food bank, Christmas hampers, L’Arche Community, two families in India and St. Vincent the Paul.
Many member helped with clothes drive for those in need, Street Feet, Inn from the Cold, Interfaith Food drive, Meals on Wheels and helping of Immigrant families. Some councils sold carnations for MS society and knitted items for adults and children.
A gift card, crucifixes and bible to newly married couples, reception for the sacraments and many dinners and teas,
Bringing Communion and visiting of shut-ins, offer rides to church meetings and appointments for parishioners was done by some councils.

SANCTITY OF LIFE
Support was shown for Pro-Life by participating in March for Life, Life Chains, forty days of prayer outside abortion clinics and holding prayer vigils. The movement to de-fund abortions by writing letters and meeting with MLAs and reading information at meetings. Some councils supported pro-life fundraisers in their Diocese. Some councils support the Pregnant Teen Program by donating quilts and layettes.
One parish reported offering a special mass for the unborn, stillborn and miscarried babies. One Diocese held information workshops on abortion. They also support Birthright and Pro-Life by membership.
One parish provided Pro-Life pictures of the 9 months gestation to the Grade 6 Health/Christian Family Life at local school.

MINISTRY TO YOUTH
One Diocese reported supporting the Youth emergency Shelter, orphanage in Guatemala, mittens and socks for Little Buffalo, shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, Bosco Homes. One council reported that they ordered books for youth: How Far Can We Go? (A Catholic guide to dating), Youth Prayer Books and Children Sunday Missals.
Some councils provided gifts such as Prayer books, Mass booklets, medals, pins and rosaries for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.
Support for youth fundraising activities and their Mission work. Encourage youth to participate in Sunday liturgy and choirs.
Scholarship award for graduating students, invite youth to help at Parish activities, sponsor a child from Chalice, donations for St. Mary’s Chair Foundation, Pennies for the Poor and Caro.
Some councils reported helping teaching Sunday school, preparation of sacraments, Rosary program in schools and a special mass for graduates where they are presented with a bible. Some councils reported helping financially for Youth to attend World Youth Day. Support of Camp Encounter and Our Lady of Victory Camp is another way to support the Youth. The Youth in one Diocese held a spaghetti supper to go to Tanzania to dig wells. The CWL supported this venture. One Diocese reported doing programs that teach chastity as a way of life, donation to youth ministry and supplying a meal after Think Fast. Promoted the Catholic Family Life Conference and the Catholic Family and Catechism in Crooked Creek.

MINISTRY TO SENIORS AND DISABLED
One council reported supporting the Alberta Council on Aging and visit long term care, hospitals, lodges and giving rides to elderly to church and appointments.
Sending prayer cards, mass cards and praying for the sick and suffering.
Deliver Meals on Wheels. Educate councils on Elder Abuse and how to help. Knit Prayer Shawls for the sick. Baking and providing lunch and tea for Seniors. Making sure that there is accessibility to church, the hall and bathrooms. Accept mentally challenged members to meetings. Contribute gifts to seniors’ lodges on Mother’s and on Father’s Day. Help with Mass at Senior and Nursing homes. Encourage activities for seniors such as playing cards, bingo and take them out on excursions. Get disabled people to take part in liturgical celebrations by assisting with welcoming, choir, collection, readers and altar serving. Strawberry Tea was held at a long- term care facility. Many seniors are encouraged to help with funeral lunches, bake sales, Coats for Kids, packing hampers for food bank and having tea with school students.

MINISTRY TO WIDOWED, SEPARATED AND DIVORCED
Some councils include the widowed/their children in community and family events. Transportation is arranged for the widowed to attend social events and meetings.
Councils provide babysitting services to allow free time for parents. Councils support women in crisis centre by buying Christmas Gifts.

VOCATIONS
Special Masses and Prayers for all Priests in the “Year for Priests”
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, writing to Seminarians, supporting three Missionaries, special gifts for clergy, support for women in Religious Life, donate to Priest Retirement Fund. Adopt-A Seminarian program went well with 25 seminarians being adopted. They write letters, send cards and invite them to attend suppers and special events.

CATHOLIC GIRLS LEAGUE
One Diocese reported that many councils are aware of the CGL but do not have one as yet. There are 7 CGL councils in Edmonton Archdiocese: Devon, Drayton Valley, Sylvan Lake, St. John Bosco, St. Theresa, St. Joseph Basilica (Jean Forest Academy), St. Thomas More. This league is a way to help prepare the young girls for a more fulfilling life in their Faith while having fun. It is sponsored by the CWL councils who helping girls with their projects and meetings.

COMMENTS
Many councils in the Dioceses are very busy doing much for God and Canada and need to be commended for their hard work. Let us continue to pray to Our Lady of Good Counsel for help in all our challenges.

Respectfully submitted,
Yvette F.
Provincial Christian Family Life Chairperson
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November 30, 2009 CWL ABMK Provincial Christian Family Life Communique #1
Women of Peace and Hope
To Diocesan Christian Family Life Chairpersons
Provincial Executive (for information)

Greetings
My name is Yvette F. and I am the new Provincial Chairperson for Community & Christian Family Life. I was pleased to accept the appointment last week.
I have been a CWL member for 25 years and have served on the executive at parish level, and as diocesan treasurer for 2 terms.

Bill C-384
This bill is “An act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity)." Please encourage your councils to meet with their MPs as well as letter writing. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition can provide information packages and sample letter. Just go to their website <http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca> or phone them at 877-439-3348.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has just learned that Fancine Lalonde has traded-back to delay the second hour of debate on this bill. The new scheduled date is Tuesday February 2, 2010 with the vote on February 3, 2010. We still have lots of time to write letters on this bill.

Palliative Care
Palliative care is certainly associated with the euthanasia debate, as we have to support palliative care facilities and be part of their community of help. We need to encourage our councils to be active in possibly visiting people that are homebound.

Action that can be taken on Palliative Care is to have speakers from hospitals, palliative care centers, hospices, health-care foundations (Mary Pat S.). Any council can apply to the provincial Education Fund to help finance speakers. Pay attention as well to the closing hospitals. We need to be vocal over this issue. We need to phone and or write to our respective MLAs.

Family Life
We need to continue to use the “Prayer for Families” in the CWL Flip kits. We encourage prayer for all of our newlyweds this past year as they are beginning a new life and forming a family. Families especially need our prayers during these times as they struggle with finances, depression job loss and many more issues. We need to be present to these people by helping out financially or otherwise.

CGL (Catholic Girls League)

We should encourage councils in our dioceses to form the CGL for girls ages 10 to 15. All mothers of girls this age could help to start a league and be there to guide them.

There are 7 councils in the Edmonton Archdiocese. Apparently there is new Manual available from National for the formation of a new CGL. They will issue a manual only to those councils that want to start a council. It is not listed in the National supplies catalogue, so you have to phone to order.

Natalie R. is an excellent resource if you would like more information about starting a CGL. If you would like more information from her, just email me and I will get the information from her.

I wish each Diocese, Council and their families a very Blessed Advent and a Holy Christmas.

For God and Canada,
Your Sister in the League,

Yvette F.,

Provincial Chairperson of Christian Family Life
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