VICTORIA DIOCESAN COUNCIL: President’s Communique #12
President: Christa Grillmair Date: March 30, 2021
Dear Sisters-in-Christ and Father Alfredo:
Here we are again, experiencing our second Holy Week and Easter during the COVID-1 pandemic. Last year we really didn’t think that this would happen again. For the past few days, we had hope that we could celebrate Mass at Easter, but the number of active cases keep climbing, so restrictions have, once again, been enforced. But no matter what the circumstances, we prepare the best we can because nothing stops Easter from coming.
There are a few items that I would like to draw to your attention:
Virtual AGMs
Our COVID restrictions continue so we will hold our 92nd and 93rd AGMs virtually on April 24, 2021. The meetings will start at 9 am and tentatively conclude by 1 pm. Since this virtual meeting is by invitation only to the Diocesan Executive and Chairs of the Diocesan Standing Committees, the 16 Parish Council Presidents (voting members) and one other member per parish council chosen by the Presidents as accredited members, registration is required.
ACTION: Please confirm your attendance by April 15, 2021 by emailing me at cgrillmair@shaw.ca. Parish Council Presidents please send me the name and email address of your designated accredited delegate so that I can invite them to the meeting.
2020 Annual Report Book
Over the next few days, you will be receiving the 2020 Annual Report Book in the mail. The package includes the Agenda for the AGMs. A special thanks to all of you for your contribution and to Laurel for putting it together for us.
ACTION: Take your time reading all the reports to learn what your sisters have accomplished this past year and share it with your members in your emails and newsletters.
3. Diocesan Executive Positions
Although it has been an exciting 3rd year for your executive, we are now ready to pass the opportunity to a new set of leaders and will hold our elections at the 93rd AGM on April 24th. We are grateful that Laurel Phyall has agreed to accept the position of President and Bertha Landrie is ready to take on her role of President-elect. The other positions will be decided at the meeting.
ACTION: If there is still someone that you know who is undecided on whether to join the diocesan team, please encourage them to step forward to help advance the faith, service and social justice mandates of our League.
4. To Inspire
The marketing campaign initiatives for 2021 have been approved and we are so excited! Plans include interviews with young Catholic women, a 30-second commercial, a digital affirmation campaign for members, national website enhancement and a social media tutorial. Currently we are showcasing our CWL on the various social media sites (websites, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and they have received very positive feedback.
ACTION: Viewing them is good but liking, commenting and sharing them is better. Go to the national website cwl.ca (look for To Inspire) or The Catholic Women’s League of Canada Facebook page and share the various vignettes and videos with your family and friends. When you see something that speaks to you, make sure you like, comment and share. Spread the news that our CWL is a one-stop shop for faith, service and social justice. Thanks to Gerry Heywood, our multi-task guru, our diocesan website (cwlcdov.org) and Facebook page (CWL Victoria Diocese) also continues to inspire, enlighten and entertain us. Make sure you provide her lots of content to post!
5. Bill C-7
Thank you for continuing to support the drive to show our government that we value life from conception to natural death and do not support MAiD and the proposed changes currently slated to come into effect in two years.
ACTION: Stay informed on the subject and encourage your members to write letters, emails and sign petitions. We have a voice. Let’s use it!
6. Information Overload?
Our various websites (cwl.ca, bcyukoncwl.com and cwldov.org) continue to be full of information and there are many communiqués and emails being sent from your national, provincial and diocesan teams. This can sometimes feel overwhelming. But we cannot have in-person meetings right now, so we need to share information using electronic media. As you read through the various communications, please share the information with your team and members. Even though we cannot physically meet, we can definitely keep in touch!
ACTION: As a parish council president or diocesan executive, please share the information you receive from your diocesan, provincial and national partner but do remember that you are the leader of a team. As you review this information, decide who should act on it and pass it on for information, response or implementation.
7. Next Meeting – 2020 and 2021 AGMs
Our next Zoom team meeting will be our AGMs on Saturday, April 24, 2021 starting at 9 am.
ACTION: If you are a Parish Council President or Diocesan Executive/Chair, please confirm your attendance by contacting me at cgrillmair@shaw.ca by April 15, 2021. Zoom invitation and Agenda will be sent on April 16th.
The Holy Tridium
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we remember the week that changed the world: On Holy Thursday, let us focus on loving one another to symbolize Our Lord’s example of love and service. On Good Friday, let us silently walk with Him to Calvary. On Saturday, let us prepare to step into a new life with the renewal of our baptismal promise so that on Sunday we can celebrate Our Lord’s resurrection. The empty tomb is a sign of hope for all.
I wish you all a very Happy Easter.
Christa