The Catholic Women's League of Canada (CWL)
Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council
(Updated November 30, 2010 ; Home page at <www.cwl.ab.ca> ; Contact us at <cwlabmk@cwl.ab.ca>)

PRESIDENT'S COMMUNIQUES

President (June 2009-2011): Fran Lucas <lucasfran[at]shaw.ca>
| President's memo - Nov28/10 (PDF) |
| Oral Report for National Convention - Aug09/10 |
| Membership and its Administration 101 (workshop) - May'10 |
| President's report - Feb06/10 (PDF version for the web) |
| REPORT on Meeting with Government - Jan12/10 ; photo on Home page |
| President's message - Aug01/09 |

from previous President's term ... | Meeting with the Government of Alberta - Dec03/08 |

November 28, 2010  CWL ABMK Provincial President's Memo | PDF version |
MEMO TO: Diocesan Presidents, Provincial Officers
FROM: Fran L., CWL Alberta Mackenzie Provincial President

Advent began today and with it the start of a new Church Year. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ. At this time we are to prepare for this miracle that happened so long ago.

There are a few items I would like to share with you so that you can prepare and share with your counterparts as we look forward to a New Year.
As 2010 draws to a close let us end our year with faith, fun and fulfillment!
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Monday, August 9, 2010  CWL ABMK Provincial Oral Report to National Convention (Ottawa)

Madame President:

Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council membership for 2009 was at 10,057 and with the initiatives afforded by National and Diocesan councils having their own unique initiatives, including some receiving inquiries for interest in new council start-ups, we are certain that number will grow beyond our expectations!

Our five dioceses held their conventions with the theme of Women of Peace and Hope which was truly evident in their speaker choices, prayer services and displays. The majority of the speaker topics related to euthanasia, assisted death, dignity therapy, palliative or hospice care, and forgiveness. At the Calgary convention Bishop Henry of Calgary spoke on Hope and Mary Nordick, National chair of Community Life spoke on Hope for Africa.

I was pleased to be able to represent our provincial membership at many of these conventions and to observe the numbers of members who attend and the range of formality but always the keen desire to pass on knowledge and energize the members.

The Year for Priests was embraced and councils held various creative functions to recognize, thank and show continued support of their past and present clergy. One Diocese’s initiative to get to know their priests better through a Your Time to Shine event had their spiritual advisor speak on his call to the priesthood. Another had a presentation Called to Serve where their Deacon spoke on his role and his journey of faith which began later in his life as he was not baptised until the age of 50.

Over the past year Alberta Mackenzie councils continued to work on projects locally and overseas to support the poor. Our Pennies for the Poor project which began in 2006 has generated in excess of $35,000 being sent to Sr. Maria Goretti in Burundi.

Councils have written letters to local, provincial and federal government expressing their views on issues like euthanasia, pornography, and trafficking. Members have also been made aware of the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Leadership will be one of the main focuses in the months ahead as we continue to hear of the struggles in councils to elect an executive.

Alberta Mackenzie has seven Catholic Girls' Leagues. As I attended the Diocesan conventions I challenged each Diocese to have at least one CGL within the next 12 months. A couple have already begun to work on this.

Our dioceses have many reasons to be proud of the work their members accomplish.
Our Provincial Convention was held in Fairview which involved some members travelling in excess of 1200 kilometres to attend. On Friday we recognized our CWL members in the Military Ordinariate and showed support of our troops by wearing red. It was a moving scene to look out on the delegates and see nothing but red. The solidarity with our sisters in the Mil Ord was enhanced by our speaker, Denise K., telling of her life as a CWL member married to a soldier who has had active service.

Our moving spirituals drew tears and applause while the speakers on Promoting Peace and Journey into Life did so to standing ovations.

Training workshops were given by each standing committee chair with evaluations indicating more of the same is needed. My workshop on membership included a demonstration on how to use the new online membership. Members left with a clear understanding of the need for all councils to utilize this process and the reality of the simplicity to use the online program.

This concludes my report.

Fran L.,
Alberta Mackenzie
Provincial President
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August 01, 2009 President's Message | text below | MS Word version |
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Sisters in the League:

It is nearly two months since I became your Provincial President. What an exciting and busy time it has been. I feel it is important to let all members know of my goals as I begin my term. At the convention banquet I identified my goals and for all of those who were not present, I am including them below.

MEMBERSHIP: To continue to work with all levels of the League to ensure growth of our membership.
Please note: My interview with the Western Catholic Reporter resulted in an article printed in the June 15, 2009 issue which did not accurately reflect my comments.
Sisters in the League, for clarity, we have four categories of membership. One is Associate Membership. Our Constitution & Bylaws (Article V11-Section 1-d) on Associate Membership, states “a non- Catholic woman 16 years of age or older may become a member with voting privileges but without eligibility for election or appointment.” Many of our members are not familiar with this Associate Membership category although we currently have many of these members. Non-Catholic women interested in joining would be welcome to join the League providing they agree to respect and uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Mt. 28, 19-20)
Vatican II reaffirms Jesus’ teaching on the importance of the evangelization of all.

OUTREACH: As part of our theme Women of Peace & Hope I would like to see us collaborate with women of all faiths. Discussing issues of common concern would build stronger relationships while promoting our desire for peace.

TRAINING: Offer training to members who are eligible and interested in moving to other levels within the League so that they may have the confidence and knowledge to do so.
The details of these goals will be solidified through discussion with the Provincial Officers and Diocesan Presidents. All members are encouraged to offer their thoughts and ideas as well.

It will be September by the time the majority of you hear these words. Should you have ideas to offer or questions please feel free to call me any evening.

For God and Canada,

Fran Lucas
Provincial President
Alberta Mackenzie
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December 03, 2008  Meeting with the Government of Alberta     [click for Jan10/12 meeting ]
[The] Catholic Women’s League [provincial council - ABMK] meets with Premier Stelmach

President Donna P., Organization Standing Committee Chairperson Fran L., and Resolutions Standing Committee Chairperson Stella W. met with Premier Stelmach in Edmonton at the Alberta Legislature on December 3, at 3:00pm, and with Health Minister Ron Liepert later in the day.

     GovtMtg-StellaDonnaFran.jpg     Government Meeting: Stella W., Donna P., Fran L.
GovtMtg-FranLiepertDonnaStella.jpg    
Government Meeting: Fran L., Minister Ron Liepert, Donna P., Stella W.


We felt that the meeting was very successful and worthwhile.  Both men were friendly, welcoming, open to listen to our concerns and answered our questions.
Issues brought forth were:
·    Human Trafficking during the 2010 Olympics
·    Sanctity of Life – end of life care, and de-insuring abortions
·    Environment regarding pollution levels and toxic chemicals
·    Safety, Law and order
·    Shortage of doctors and nurses
·    Proper burial of human remains
·    Alberta’s Health Services Board and the new document Visions 2020

Premier Stelmach, on trafficking, stated that he would speak to federal officials on the topic of training of border crossing officials to see what they are looking for so Alberta law enforcement agents can be trained to spot trafficked people, and to co-operate among government agencies and law enforcement.
On sanctity of life, Premier Stelmach stated that there are 7 private clinics in Alberta and these are under federal health legislation and this matter of clinics has been discussed with medical people. On the discussion of toxic chemicals, he did not know details that we were questioning  (national resolutions passed in 2008), so will look into it and send us information. On the topic of safety law and order, we found out that Alberta has implemented a safe and secure program. Communities are given a pool of funds to use as they see fit for more police, more crown prosecutors, addiction treatment beds, and psychiatry. He is pressing for legislation on bail reform, for the assets of crime to be able to be seized and sold, for  increased compensation of crime, and for community initiatives programs.

With Minister Liepert, we discussed end-of-life care, de-insuring of abortions, shortage of doctors and nurses, and the new Alberta Health Services Board. We thanked him for eliminating health care premiums and he answered with the comment that they were no longer serving the purpose for which they were intended. Many were not paying the premiums and to track them down and charge them through the courts cost more than the unpaid premiums.
Minister Liepert would not discuss de-insuring of abortions. Quote: “This is not a fight I am prepared to take on. De-insuring is about funding but it opens up the other issue (abortions on demand).”
On the topic of end-of-life care, we discussed training in palliative care and standards for hospitals, nursing homes, hospice or at home care.  Some answers to our questions will be researched and sent to us.
On the subject of proper burial of human remains, we had many questions and there were not a lot of answers but the minister will get some answers for us and send them -- regarding standard hospital policy in the matter of informing the parents that they have a right to bury their pre-born baby.
On the topic of shortage of doctors and nurses, Liepert said it is a much bigger issue than shortage. Alberta has come up with a ‘workforce action plan” which involves training, spaces, incentives, and rural action plans.
We spent quite a bit of time on the Alberta Health Services Board. He explained the purpose and function of the board, how doctors and health care givers will have input into the management level of the structure. Councils will represent their community on a regional board that reports to health councils. We received a copy of the new document ‘Vision 2020’. 

All in all, the politicians were open to discussion and to listening. They took the time to answer our questions completely and we felt that they gave us honest answers. Both the Premier and Health Minister will be forwarding information to us on unfinished topics.

The Premier and Health Minister now are aware of the CWL of Alberta Mackenzie and I think we should make this an annual affair. Perhaps next time get an interview with another Minister .
Watch the papers for our pictures.
President Donna P.
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