Dear Sisters in Christ:
Most of us started the year by reflecting on 2017 and planning for the current year. Now that we’re at the end of January … how’s it going for you?
My January has been dynamic, challenging me to be focused but flexible and to remain balanced. At our Diocesan Day of Reflection we will spend some time on the lessons of Mary and Martha to help us remember that in our world of demands and distractions, we need to put God as our first and foremost priority.
Day of Reflection – Monday, February 5, 2018 at St. Peter’s in Nanaimo
Pat Carew, our Spiritual Development Chair, and our Spiritual Advisor, Father Alfredo Monticello, have put together a great day for us. The theme is “Women of the Bible” from the Old and New Testaments. The day will start at 9:30 am and end about 3:00 pm. We will celebrate Mass at noon followed by a bag lunch. The ladies from St. Peter’s will provide us with refreshments.
ACTION: Car pool, bring as many members (and potential members) to this Day of Reflection. It is an excellent way to start 2018 and prepare for Lent, which starts on February 14th. Remember to bring a bag lunch.
Spring Interim Meeting – Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at St. Edward’s, Duncan
We are currently working on the Agenda and Maureen and Daisy will send it out as soon as it is finalized. The day will start at 8:30 am, the Executive will meet at 9:00 am and all other attendees will be participating in a workshop from 9:00 to 10:00 am. We will start the business section of the meeting at 10:00 am, followed by presentations by Parish Council Presidents (or their designate). We will also be launching the new Diocesan website. You may want to preview it at cwldov.org but remember: it is still being worked on.
For this meeting, we ask that all two-minute reports reflect on the first two objects of the League, which are:
- To achieve individual and collective spiritual development.
- To promote the teachings of the Catholic Church.
ACTION FOR ALL EXECUTIVE and CHAIRS OF STANDING COMMITTEES FOR SPRING INTERIM EXECUTIVE MEETING:
Please tailor your report, which will be given at the Executive meeting by answering the following questions:
- How were you able to apply the first two objectives of the League to your standing committee duties?
- What were some of the successes and challenges?
ACTION FOR ALL PARISH PRESIDENTS FOR SPRING INTERIM GENERAL MEETING:
You will be reporting at the General Meeting. For this meeting, we ask that all Parish Council Presidents (or their designate) tailor their presentation on the first two objects of the League by answering the following questions:
- How did you and your Council enhance your peers', your members', and your parish's spiritual development?
- What did you and your Council do to educate your peers, your members, and your parish?
Once you have presented your report, please provide a copy for our Secretary, Daisy Mah.
Diocesan Convention — May 3‐4, 2018, Comfort Inn and Suites, Victoria
The convention teams in Victoria (St. Joseph the Worker and St. Patrick’s) have been busy planning the logistics for our Diocesan Convention and your Executive is working on the Agenda. We will provide you with a complete package at our Interim meeting in March.
ACTION: Please promote the Convention among your members as an opportunity to get informed, to share ideas, to meet and learn from members from all parts of our Diocese, and to have fun.
Diocesan Convention Book
We will, once again, provide you with a keepsake of the Diocesan Convention that includes the Agenda, Reports of activities, events and pearls of wisdom from our Parish Council Presidents, Diocesan Executive and Committee Chairs. Please email your report to me by the end of March.
ACTION FOR PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENTS:
Please use the sample attached to the email as a format for the convention book report. Try to keep your report to one page and focus on your Council’s events from January 1 ‐December 31, 2017 that make your Council unique. For example, did your Council have a tremendous success with growth in membership? Tell us how you did it. What are some of your challenges/successes? Did you have some interesting speakers? Who were they, what did you learn? What did your Council do to promote social justice? In addition to sharing highlights, what can other Councils learn from your report?
ACTION FOR EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
Please use the sample attached. As an Executive or Committee Chair, your focus should also be on reviewing how you applied and achieved your objectives in 2017. For example, you might want to review your duties in the Executive Handbook and tell us how you worked on them and what we can learn from your experiences.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need help on any of these items, please contact me.
Save the Dates
February 5, 2018: Diocesan Day of Reflection, St. Peter's Nanaimo
March 6, 2018: Diocesan Interim Meeting, St. Edward's Duncan
May 2–4, 2018: Victoria Diocesan Convention, Comfort Inn, Victoria
June 20–24, 2018: Provincial Convention, Whitehorse
August 11–14, 2018: National Convention, Winnipeg
Have confidence and strong faith that God will assist you in everything. ~ St. Angela Merici
Blessings,
Christa Grillmair
President Elect/Organization