Catholic Women's League of Canada National Convention Report
National Convention, Saskatoon Sask. August 11-14
I could hardy believe I was here as I walked through the museum and outdoor displays at Wanuskewin Heritage Park near Saskatoon. When I lived in North Battleford it was not there yet.
The park celebrates the Cree First Nation Culture. It was so meaningful for me to see the displays and the Hoop Dancer but I couldn't help being moved by the young Indigenous woman doing the shawl dance in her Prairie First Nation regalia. As I listened to the drum music and watched her arms held out allowing her shawl to float in the air around her my thoughts were with my Cree fourth Great Grandmother and I closed my eyes and imagined the young woman was her dancing as she would have done all those generations ago. It also felt good to hear the Territorial acknowledgement being done on Tready 6 lands where I was born. They included homeland of the Metis in the acknowledgement.
We returned in time back to Saskatoon to catch the Resolutions Dialogue I had signed up for.
Opening mass that evening began with the flag procession into the church. Sitting with CWL members from all across Canada gave me a small glimpse of the large scope of the organization we are.
The first day of the National convention we had a presentation from Bishop Lobsinger and Honorary Life Member Barb Dowding about “Walking together in Synodality. I understood from listening that the Synod is a call to pray, listen and discern together what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Synodality means journeying together as people of God. The way it was presented was helpful to break it down and understand.
We also heard an enlightening presentation about the Papal Document of Discovery by Arch Bishop
Bolen. I learned the Doctrine of Discovery was used as legal and moral justification of colonial dispossession of sovereign Indigenous Nations, Including First Nations in what is now Canada.
European explorers used the principal of discovery to legally and morally justify the subjugation and exploitation of Indigenous communities and to rule over them. Bishop Bolen brought a Cree First Nation Man who spoke about the continuing effects of colonization on the reserve he lives on in Saskatchewan, including but not limited to the effects of residential Schools.
We had the commissioning of Life members who are so deserving of this title because of all the time, energy and love they have given to the league.
The first day ended with a dinner themed “ Pirates on the Saskatchewan”. I had never seen so many people dressed like pirates in the same room. The food was local and delicious. The Father and Sons band played music and soon many people and pirates were dancing and saying RRR. . .-Matey. Luckily there were no Damsels in Distress.
Tuesday started with a mass celebration followed by a presentation about the National Voluntary Fund. Representatives from the 3 charities National supports were there to tell us what the monies donated by the parish councils do for the people receiving the funds. I got the feeling that some people were not aware that Parishes can fund raise and donate directly to these funds and report what they gave to who. There is more power in numbers.
Next the Breakout sessions started. The first session I attended was on Palliative Care and I was surprised to learn there is a lack of funding for palliative care physicians and programs, health care professionals who are not trained or aware of palliative care as an option. Patients have no information or misinformation, and the growth of medically provided euthanasia(MAID). It is so important that people who are vulnerable are reassured that they are loved, cared for and that their life has meaning. She said, “Noting that palliative care for seniors needs to become a pastoral priority.”
I also attended “Leadership, No Greater Love” with Past President Fran Lucas. We can all be Leaders.
The last session I attended was “Crafting Resolutions”. This was also an important and interesting session. We need to keep searching for ideas for resolutions. There is help to craft a resolution. Don't be scared.
….I attended the Provincial Dinner with other members from BC. It was a good evening talking and getting to know each other better.
Wednesday was the Annual Meeting of Members part. The Strategic Plan committee gave their final report, Ontario League invited us to Toronto next year and the Unity Outreach task force did a presentation. they said that good things will continue to come from that program.
Closing mass with the reaffirmation of the National Executive Committe was held before the Gala banquet.
Thank you to the Victoria Diocesan Council for sending me to the National Convention to learn and see the bigger picture of what the Catholic Women's League is about and where I fit in.
Respectfully submitted,
Bertha Landrie, Victoria Diocesan President.