The Catholic Women's League of Canada (CWL)
Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council
(Updated March 12, 2010 ; CWL AMBK Home page at <www.cwl.ab.ca> ; Contact us at <cwlabmk@cwl.ab.ca>)
 
COMMUNITY LIFE COMMUNIQUES - combined with Christian Family Life (Nov2009-May2011)

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

| Annual Report 2009 - posted Mar12/10 | Communique #1 - Nov'09 |

CWL ALBERTA MACKENZIE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
COMMUNITY LIFE ANNUAL REPORT 2009

Provincial Chairperson: Yvette F.
Diocesan Chairpersons:
Calgary
 Suzanne S.
Edmonton
 Lynne C.
Grouard-McLennan
 vacant
Mackenzie-Fort Smith
 Cora B.
St. Paul
 Florence Q.

DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF PERSONS
Councils reported discussions, and writing letters to MPs and MLAs on the following topics: Euthanasia, Human Trafficking, Women’s Rights, Charter of Rights, Racial Minorities, Rights of Handicapped and Bill 384. One council reported having a speaker and presentation from RCMP on Human Trafficking. On the “White Ribbon" program, one council signed a white ribbon and sent it to the Prime Minister. Some members attended presentations on Euthanasia and Family Support Centre. Also participated in National Addiction Awareness Week by walking and preparing lunch.
Some members attended Vic Malarek speaking on Human Trafficking. They also had a speaker from the local Women’s Shelter. Support for Women Shelters is also a way to help.
Support and funding for the handicapped, chairing the Canadian Paraplegic Society and involvement with Northern Alberta Kidney Foundation and lobbies to Government for assistance are more ways councils helped. One council became involved in discussion and an information evening on the proposed changes in Alberta Health and prescription coverage for seniors

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Councils reported belonging to food bank, helping-hand store, meals on wheels, hospital auxiliary, palliative care, seniors groups, native friendship centre, friends for world development, parent link and ECHO society. DVDs have been purchased “Turning the Tide” - purchased by the Diocese for all councils to use. A speaker on “End of Life Issues and Euthanasia” was invited. One council gave slippers to seniors and socks to homeless.
Actions to help overcome hunger, organize parish hunger supper, Thanksgiving dinner for the poor, collect pennies to support School Breakfast program and donate to school nourishment program.
Free the children, Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul, Hope Mission, Mustard See, Youville Home, Thrift Shops, Christmas Bureau, Atonement House, Pilgrims Hospice, Unity House, St Michael’s Care Group, Dickensfield Community Partnership Council, Catholic Social Services, Safe House and goods for babies of pregnant ladies of Safe House, are many ways help was provided.
Milk Mull’s Campaign (saving milk cartons), Canada Family Action Coalition, Back Porch program, Grandmothers raising grandchildren in Cameroon, flood victims in South America and Phillipines were all helped by members.

IMMIGRATION
One Diocese invites and welcomes immigrant women to their meetings. Some members assist in ESL. Councils are informed about Canada’s Immigration and Refugee policies.
Many councils support the Refugee Bag Program with money and donated supplies. These bags are made up and delivered to Catholic Social Services for distribution. A baby shower was hosted to gather supplies for babies. Members also sponsor a refugee family from Burundi, Africa. One parish invited the Immigration Officer to Diocesan Convention to speak on Women for Sale in prostitution from other countries. They also invite immigrants to participate in their Flea Market.

CANADIAN CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION FOR DEVELOPMENT & PEACE
Councils have raised funds for Pennies for the poor, special collection during Lent, donate to 1% Program and by holding a hunger supper. Other ways money was raised was by selling calendars and catering. Other councils donated to Inuit in Labrador (sweaters & warm clothing), Canadian Outreach for Ethiopia, Save a Family Plan and overseas plans to Foster Children in Third World countries.

DEVELOPING COUNTIRES/MISSIONARY SUPPORT
One Parish has a priest from Nigeria and he speaks to them about Nigeria. They have also invited guests form Congo and Kenya. They have viewed a film “The Story of Sugar.” Councils use, promote and purchase Fair Trade coffee.
Many councils support missions in India, Lashoto, Catholic Missions in Canada, Save a Family in India, Ghana, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Jamaica Missions, Guatemala, Nigeria and Mission to Mexico.
Mater Care is also supported by many Councils. Some parishes have actually gone to missions and heledp build homes and schools. They visit orphanages and deliver school supplies.

OTHER
Many councils have done much work in their parishes by donating to families in crises of house burning, catering to benefit for boy with leukemia, financial help to family with injured teen, collected socks for needy, crocheted squares to make blankets for needy, served soup to members of “Relay for Life”, making rosaries, having family suppers, pie baking, quilting for ill and needy, setting up, selling and clean up for the Ten Thousand Villages Sales and simply praying together

Thank you to all the ladies of the councils in our five Dioceses for all the work you do to make life for others better. You are truly Angels to them all.

Respectfully submitted,
Yvette F.
Provincial Community Life Chairperson
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November 25, 2009  CWL ABMK Provincial Community Life Standing Committee Communique #1

To: Diocesan Community Life Chairpersons
      Provincial Executive (for information)
From: Provincial Community Life Chairperson

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 twice and as diocesan treasurer for two terms.

African Realities
After hearing of the reality of not having cleaning materials and staff in hospitals in Africa, we need to give thanks for our Health Care system in Canada. We also need to be thankful for the universal education systems in place in our country.

We need to be diligent in supporting the 1% program for Development and Peace (Cat#205). It is our donations that help support social justice programs that try to change attitudes and get to the root of social inequities in developing countries. We need to pray very hard for the people who work there as well.

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace (CCODP) fall action campaign needs our support. Remind your councils to donate and consider signing postcards that will be distributed at our parishes.

Call to Action on Accountability for Mining Corporations
Two Bills are currently before the government on the mining issue: Bill C-300 An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries which has passed second reading in the House of Commons and has been sent to Foreign Affairs Committee for review. Bill C-298 An Act respecting Corporate Social Responsibility for the Activities of Canadian Mining Corporations in Developing Countries has received first reading. Please encourage your councils to do letter writing to the MPs. To get your specific MP address, go to www.parl.gc.ca.

Human Trafficking
The Resolution 2009.01- Exit strategies for Prostituted Persons - was passed at National Convention. We ask that your councils study this resolution and take the suggested action plan of letter writing to MPs.

Bill S-223 - An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and to enact certain other measures in order to provide assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking. This Bill has passed second reading in the Senate and has been sent to Human Rights Committee.

Bill C-268 to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years) has passed third reading in House of Commons and first reading in Senate.

Consider writing to members of parliament and government committee members in support of these bills. Please provide your MP's name and address.

The books “The Natashas: Inside the New Global Sex Trade” and “The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It” by author Victor Malarek are about human trafficking. Victor was in Edmonton on October 18, 2009 to speak on this subject. Continue the letter writing on this subject. We are being heard.

Review and Support for Past Resolutions
Please refer to past resolutions that can be used for council meeting topics.

Thanks for your continued service to the League members through our Community Life Standing Committee.

Your Sister in the League,
Yvette F., 
Provincial Chairperson of Community Life

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