September 23,2020 was a very wet and soggy day, but that didn’t stop members of St Mary’s Council in Ladysmith on Vancouver island from gathering, socially distant with their pastor, Father Mel Bayron to plant their centenary tree, a pink dogwood, in the Catholic section of the Ladysmith Municipal cemetery.

As members took turns covering the roots, they were reminded of their CWL sisters of St Mary’s CWL and our sisters from across Canada who have gone before us. These women provided strong roots and just as the roots of the Dogwood will keep the tree growing and blooming each Spring so may our CWL roots provide us with the strength to grow and continue in the work of faith, service and social justice for the next century.

Pat Darling,

President, St Mary’s CWL, Diocese of Victoria