VICTORIA DIOCESAN COUNCIL

President: Laurel Phyall

Date: May 1, 2021 Communiqué #1

Dear Sisters-in-Christ and Father Alfredo:

I have met most of you at Diocesan Conventions and Interim Meetings. I just finished a three year term as Organization Chair and have previously served on the Diocesan Council as Treasurer and Secretary. I am a past president of St. Patrick’s (Campbell River) and served there as President, Treasurer, Spiritual and Christian Family Life. I have been retired for eleven years and previous to my retirement I was employed for 17 years by St. Patrick’s Parish as Administrative Assistant. That is a term for jack-of-all-trades, which included financial management, word processing, record keeping, volunteer management, hall maintenance and rentals, etc. etc. I am married to Doug, we have two adult daughters and three grandchildren. In my spare time I volunteer for the Red Cross in the Health Equipment Loan Program. I also enjoy golf, cycling, fishing/camping and gardening.

It has been a week since Christa virtually handed me the Diocesan gavel. As many of you know, at this point the Diocesan Council needs to pivot to a new hybrid model. Although we have not had a post AMM meeting, I know that you are all wondering about the assignment of positions. Enclosed is (1) the list of executive members and (2) the duties of officers in the new model.

Summer Planning Session – Normally the Executive and Presidents would meet during the summer where we would get to know each other, better understand our Council’s needs by evaluating what’s working and what’s not and to draft a plan to take us forward. As you all know there is nothing normal, it is my hope that as more of us are vaccinated, we may be able to meet in person. Therefore I am waiting until after the Victoria Day weekend, to see what the restrictions will be, before making any plans.

Interim Meeting/League Development Days – The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines the word pivot as “on which something turns at a crucial point”. It with this definition in mind that I wish to pivot away for Interim Meeting and turn toward League Development Days. We know from experience that we can hold Zoom meetings on a regular basis. My vision of a League Development Day would include three components: social, spiritual and educational and would be open to all sisters of the League.

Annual Meeting of Members (AMM) – I will be representing you at both the Provincial AMM on June 26 and the National AMM on August 9 & 10. I will be a virtual attendant at these meetings.

New Theme – Our theme of the last three years, “Solid Rock, Living Waters” comes to an end following the National AMM in August. We have several months until we need a new theme, it is never too early to start thinking about it.

Upcoming Events:

May is always a month dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary. This year, Pope Francis is encouraging Catholics across the globe to mark the month in a special way, with a “marathon” of prayer for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.
12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care – Wednesday, May 5
“A Practical Discussion about Palliative Care in Canada” is on Saturday, May 8,

9:00 – 10:00 am PST. Sign up to attend at www.cwl.ca

1. March for Life – Thursday, May 13 at 12:00 noon

2 Annual Provincial Meeting of Members – Saturday, June 26

3. Annual National Meeting of Members – Monday, August 9 and Tuesday, August 10

To Inspire – Share the Message with your Parish – Print the poster. See the attachment.

Please continue to pray individually and collectively for the League. You are not only important to your individual parish; you are also vital to the Church, to Canada and to the world.

Please feel free to contact me by phone or email, or if you are in my neighbourhood this summer and restrictions allow it, stop by for coffee or a cool drink on the patio.

May our Lady of Good Counsel hold you in her loving care,

Laurel