Meet Our Executive

Bishop Gerard Paul Bergie was born on January 4, 1959 in Hamilton, Ontario. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 12, 1984, for the Diocese of Hamilton, and ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton on August 24, 2005. He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of St. Catharines on September 14, 2010, and installed as the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of St. Catharines on November 9, 2010.  

He studied at St. Jerome’s College, the University of Waterloo and St. Peter’s Seminary, London, Ontario. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1983 and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome in 1991. 

Bishop Bergie is President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO), ACBO Liaison Bishop to the Apostolate to the Deaf. Bishop Bergie is currently a Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) delegate for the International Catholic Migration Commission, member of the Roman Catholic / Lutheran Church-Canada Dialogue, and Spiritual Advisor for the National Catholic Women’s League of Canada. 

Betty, (officially Liberina), was born in the Dryden, Ontario hospital since the small town of Ignace where her family lived did not have a hospital. When Betty was two, her family then moved to Fort William, now known as Thunder Bay, Ontario. Betty was nine years old when her family decided to move to Niagara Falls in 1970 to be close to her mother’s side of the family. After graduating from high school, Betty studied at Niagara College to receive her Legal Assistance Degree and worked in legal firms until she married her husband Nick in July 1984. They have lived in the home they built on their vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake for the past 41 years. They have two sons, Nicholas (39) and Christopher (34). Her family built and opened the winery that is located on the vineyard in 2010. Currently, Betty is the marketing manager, event planner and creative consultant for her family-owned winery.

Betty joined the Catholic Women’s League in 1986 and has been chairperson of several standing committees at the parish and diocesan levels before becoming president of St. Catharines Diocesan Council.

She served the provincial executive as newsletter editor, chairperson for communications, Christian family life, spiritual development, and organization. The highlight of her service at the provincial level was being elected Ontario provincial president in 2013.

Betty has also served as a subcommittee member for national council under Christian family life, education and health and community life. She received her maple leaf service pin and was honoured with life membership in 2005.

Over the years, Betty has given presentations and workshops and volunteered for many organizations. She is a cantor, minister of the word and a member of the diocesan pastoral council. She has served as national chairperson of community life, legislation and communications standing committee, as well as chairperson of the 100th anniversary committee. Betty also served as Chairperson for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce board.

Betty’s 39 years in the League have been spiritually enriching and rewarding experience filled with blessings. She feels that the best part of being in the League, is having sisters all across Canada walking with her on her spiritual journey to pray with in times of joy or to help carry the cross in times of sorrow. Betty has always had a passion and dedication for the League. She is humbled and honoured to be able to serve her League sisters as their national president.

Glenda grew up on a farm in the small town of Golden Prairie in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. Although the Catholic community was very small, it helped plant the strong roots of her faith fostered by her parents and family. Glenda eventually moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she studied nursing and met her husband, George. After living in Saskatoon for a couple of years, George joined the Canadian Navy, and they eventually transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The prairies never left Glenda’s heart as home, but becoming a mother to her son and daughter helped to set down new eastern roots. The beauty and warmth of the Maritime people cemented the feeling that Nova Scotia was also home. Feelings of belonging in her adopted province were greatly fostered over the years by the wonderful relationships formed through St. Clement Parish Council and her diocesan and provincial council service.   

Glenda has served the League in leadership roles at all levels, including parish, diocesan and provincial president as well as standing committees, special committees and projects. Her most recent leadership service has been at the national level as chairperson of Legislation and Social Justice. She became a Life Member in 2020.  

League service has been a challenging balance between a demanding career as a clinical nurse specialist, lifelong studies that eventually led to a doctorate in nursing, serving in parish ministries, and being present for her family. But the compassion of so many League sisters and the League’s strong spiritual, leadership and social justice focus has always kept Glenda faithful and passionate in her membership for God and Canada. Glenda is truly humbled by the honour and privilege of continuing to serve the members of this remarkable organization.  

 

Originally from Nova Scotia, Shari moved to Toronto to attend college and finally settled in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband Peter. They have 2 adult children and one grandchild.  

Shari’s League journey began in 1986 at Sacred Heart Parish, (Kitchener). When she attended her first CWL meeting, she was asked to serve as recording secretary, and she became parish council president in 1991. Following that, she served on the Hamilton Diocesan Council and was diocesan president from 2001 to 2003.  

Once elected to the Ontario Provincial Council, Shari served as treasurer, chairperson of spiritual development, organization and became provincial president in 2009 to 2011. Elected to the national executive in 2012, she served as chairperson of resolutions, secretary treasurer, and chair of spiritual development before becoming president elect and then national president in 2023.  

Shari received her life membership in 2005 and is active in her parish, St Michael, Waterloo as a minister of the Word and chairs the parish finance council. She also serves on the diocesan finance council for the diocese of Hamilton. In 2014, Shari was honored with the papal honor of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal.  

Shari has been a business woman most of her career life, owning several businesses particularly in condominium management and specializing in non-profit housing.  

Now serving as national past president, Shari expresses her thankfulness to have met and interacted with so many intelligent, spiritual, insightful women through the Catholic Women’s League and looks forward to her continued journey.  

Alice joined Our Lady of Good Counsel council of Saint Raymond’s Parish, Candiac, Quebec in 1998, received her life membership in 2020 and was elected national secretary-treasurer in August 2025.  She and her husband of 31 years Stéphane are the proud parents of 3 young adult children.    

Alice arrived in Canada at the age of 5 from England and was educated in both French and English making her completely bilingual.   She also speaks Spanish.   She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Concordia University and has 35 years experience as an independent self-employed advisor in the financial industry.   She has sat on both education and health boards and been a church warden for her parish. In her parish, Alice has also served as leader, reader and Eucharistic Minister at Mass, and was a member of the Evangelization Project team. In her diocese she was a member of the Marriage Preparation Team for over 20 years.  

As a member of the League, Alice has had the pleasure of serving at all levels.   Over time, she has chaired most committees and served as treasurer and secretary.  She has helped to write 3 resolutions and sat on two National, five Provincial and three Diocesan Convention Planning Committees.   She also helped to write her parish and diocesan Policy & Procedure Manuals and has served on the National Policy and Procedure Review Committee.   

She enjoys giving presentations and helping with leadership development.   Over the years some of the workshops she has helped to developed and give include Resolutions & Legislation, Kindle the Fire for Treasurers, World Day of the Poor, The Art of Having a Great Meeting, Care for Our Common Home: Water, Inspired by the Spirit Women Respond to God’s Call, Recruitment, Changes 2022, and Nominations & Elections.   She was part of the team that developed the National Executive Orientation Program Workshops helping to prepare the modules titled Structure of the League & the Promise of the League, Life Membership and Honorary Life Membership, and Public Presence & Member Development.   

As Quebec Provincial President and member of the national executive, she sat on the National Communications Task Force, was part of the team that helped to produce the National Outreach Program Workshop and the team that wrote and delivered the 2024 national convention workshop Faith: Walk with Him. 

Such a journey is never undertaken alone and without help.   Alice thanks her family and all the members of her council and sisters across the country for their continued support, encouragement and prayers.  Alice shares that the sisterhood of the League is a true gift in her life. 

 

Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, Madonna moved to Fredericton at a young age, where she still resides. She fondly remembers her early education at St. Dunstan’s Catholic School, which laid the foundation for her strong faith and deep sense of community. 

Madonna has been happily married to her husband, Robert (“Pudge”), for over 50 years. Her journey with the Catholic Women’s League began in 1990, originally to help drive her mother to meetings. What started as a supportive gesture soon became a lifelong passion. Alongside her sister Norah and mother, she found friendship, faith, and purpose through the CWL, taking on leadership roles and attending conventions that shaped her path. 

In 2007, Madonna faced great personal loss with the passing of her mother, sister, and mother-in-law. That same year brought joy with the birth of her grandson Jayden, who recently graduated from high school. 

Throughout her CWL service, Madonna held many roles, including two terms as parish council president. She was honoured with the Maple Leaf Service Pin and encouraged by mentors to take on broader leadership. Just in time, she applied for and secured a diocesan position, launching her involvement at higher levels. Since then, she has served as diocesan and provincial president and currently holds the roles of Provincial Past President and National Chairperson of Service. 

Her contributions include leading spiritual development, community life, and organization standing committees, as well as working on the Priorities Task Force. She has facilitated Catch the Fire! workshops, participated in Unity Outreach, and led the province-wide “My CWL 2022—Changing with the Times” initiative. 

Highlights of her CWL journey include chairing the catering team for a citizenship ceremony at Fredericton City Hall and organizing a successful Apple Cider Making Day fundraiser for Mary’s Meals—featured in The Canadian League. As national subcommittee chair for community life, she published an interview with Fr. Charles Udeh titled God’s Call from Nigeria to New Brunswick. Presenter Workshops National Convention 2024 “Be Not Afraid: An Interactive Workshop on Crafting Resolutions” and 2025 “Call Me Lord to Lead and Follow”. Awarded Life Membership in 2020, she also served on the Servant Leadership Team and joined the Faith in Diversity initiative at St. Thomas University. 

Professionally, Madonna retired in 2013 after 42 years with the provincial government. She enjoys aqua-fit at the YMCA and shares her CWL legacy with her daughter, sister, and niece—proud card caring members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish Council. Grateful for the friendships and faith-filled experiences CWL has brought her, Madonna looks forward to continuing her work with the national executive and the provincial chairpersons of service. 

Jessie Marie Parkinson is a retired lawyer living in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia with her husband of 43 years, David. She grew up in New Glasgow, attended New Glasgow High School (1965), Marianopolis College, University of Montreal (1968) and Dalhousie University Law School (1971). Jessie was called to the bar in Vancouver, B.C. and practiced law there for almost 30 years. In 1999 she moved back to New Glasgow with her family. From 2008 until 2015 she was employed by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour to establish the Office of the Worker Counsellor, educating unionized employees to assist their fellow injured workers navigating the Workers Compensation system. David and Jessie have one daughter, Caitlin, who lives in Halifax. 

Jessie is the inveterate volunteer: Past Chair- Women Alike Abreast a River Dragon Boat Team and Past Chair of the Board of Directors- Tearmann Society for Abused Women. She currently serves as Corporate Secretary of the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation, President of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia, Treasurer of the Women Alike (Breast Cancer Survivors) Society, Board member of Aging Well Nova Scotia and Fundraising Chair of the New Build Glen Haven project, involved in a new nursing home to be built in her home town. 

Involved in music ministry in her home parish of St John the Baptist, New Glasgow, Jessie was involved in the catechetical program for many years, the marriage preparation program, and has served as a lector and extraordinary minister of communion. She has served the League in Nova Scotia at all levels as President and Chaired Spiritual Development, Resolutions, Legislation and Social Justice. Jessie received her Maple Leaf Service Pin in 2012 and Life Membership in the League in 2025. 

Besides volunteering, she loves to paddle in a Dragon Boat, bake, garden, read and teach piano and voice lessons to 8 little students. 

Jan was born and raised in Calgary, leaving in 1982 and returning 24 years later. After settling into her new home and parish at St. Peter’s, she sought connections with women of faith and found a warm welcome within St. Peter’s Council. Although she had not planned to become actively involved, Jan soon accepted the role of council treasurer—beginning a journey with the League that would deeply shape her life and faith. 

Following her term as parish council president, Jan was appointed to Calgary Diocesan Council and was later elected as diocesan president from 2019 to 2022, guiding members through the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, her motto became, “Jan makes a plan and God laughs,” reflecting her trust in God’s providence.  

Professionally, Jan has served as a parish secretary, paralegal and contract analyst. She currently works at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Calgary, viewing her role not simply as employment but as a ministry in service to the church. 

Jan and her husband, Jim, share a blended family of seven children and many grandchildren. Family is central to her life, and she treasures time spent with them. She also enjoys travelling and has participated in numerous pilgrimages, further deepening her faith and sense of call. 

Jan considers membership in the League a true gift. Through her involvement, her faith has grown, as has her appreciation for the vital role women play in both the church and society.  

Jan became president of Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council at its 79th annual convention in June 2026, beginning her term in a spirit of faith-filled service.

Christa was born in Vienna, Austria and immigrated to Canada with her parents when she was 10 years old. Married for 56 years to Norbert, they have two children and four adult grandchildren. After living in Calgary, the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland, they are now enjoying retirement in Nanaimo. At Holy Trinity, Christa is a member of the parish executive committee, chairperson of the pastoral council and serves as Eucharistic minister.  

Her education and work history primarily focused on management, marketing, sales and training. She has developed, implemented and managed marketing programs and provided strategic direction and relationship management to clients. Since retiring, she has held consulting contracts at Vancouver Island University, focusing on change management and policies and procedures. 

Christa joined the League in 2008 at St. Claire of Assisi Parish Council (Coquitlam) and soon became chairperson of organization and president. After moving to Nanaimo in 2013, she joined St. Peter’s Parish Council and held positions in resolutions, communications, organization and president. 

When she served as diocesan president (Victoria) from 2018 to 2021, she launched a new council at Holy Trinity and hosted the 2019 BC & Yukon provincial convention in Nanaimo. From 2021 to 2023, Christa served on the BC & Yukon Provincial Council as chairperson of communications and 2nd vice-president. 

In 2019, Christa became a member of the strategic plan implementation team, where she facilitated working groups from across the country to create resources for marketing, effective communications, training and development, recruiting parish leaders and evaluating spiritual programs. In 2020, she was awarded the maple leaf service pin. 

During her 17 years as a member, Christa has developed and delivered educational workshops and webinars on topics including leadership, mentoring, communications, misconceptions, recruiting, and social media. She has written several articles that have been published in The Canadian League magazine and The Diocesan Messenger.  

Christa values each person’s unique talents and contributions. As BC & Yukon’s new provincial president, she encourages her team to be open to new ideas and to build an inclusive and engaged provincial council, fostering hospitality and belonging. 

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe” (Anatole France). 

Lea was born in Virden, Manitoba.  She comes from a family of two boys and a girl, with her being the youngest. Over the years, she was employed with the local chamber of commerce and later became a store manager and bookkeeper. 

She married Ray, and they raised their family in Virden.  They have three adult children (two sons and a daughter), two grandsons and three great-grandsons. Over the years, Lea was very involved with her local parish.  She served on the pastoral council for many years, taught catechism and worked with youth. She also served as parish secretary and bookkeeper and enjoyed working with the various priests. 

Lea has served in many positions at the parish council level, but mostly as treasurer, secretary and president. On the Winnipeg Diocesan Council, she served as chairperson of Christian family life and spiritual development standing committees, recording secretary, treasurer, president-elect and president. On Manitoba Provincial Council, Lea has served as recording secretary, treasurer and vice-president.  She became provincial president in June 2026. 

Lea was co-chairperson of the 2017 provincial convention, a presenter of Catch the Fire! workshop, recording secretary and secretariat on the planning committee for the 2018 national convention and chairperson of the 2023 diocesan convention. She is currently co-chairperson and treasurer of the 2027 national convention planning committee for the upcoming national convention in Winnipeg.   

The League is a very important part of Lea’s life, and she is grateful for the past 52 years as a member. She is truly honoured to be a life member of the League. Her spare time is spent with family activities such as baseball, softball and curling, and she enjoys watching football and harness racing.

Teena joined The Catholic Women’s League of Canada in 2008 as a new military spouse while posted to Greenwood, Nova Scotia. She wanted to learn about her faith and connect with other Canadian Armed Forces families, as well as help her new parish. That same year, she was awarded funding through the Military Ordinariate Provincial Council’s Mickey Scott Fund to attend the provincial convention in Halifax. 

Since then, while maintaining her qualifications and working in various positions related to human services, having and raising three children, being posted to Winnipeg, Bagotville, Trenton and Ottawa, obtaining a bachelor of arts in sociology from Athabasca University, and supporting her spouse in various operational and instructional roles, she has held various positions at both parish and provincial levels.   

Throughout her years of service, she has remained committed to supporting both her faith community and her family. She actively encourages her children’s involvement in music, karate, Catholic Youth Ministries and volunteer work.  As vice-president, she enjoyed learning through the mentorship of then-President Theresa Schopf and looks forward to continuing her service and fully embracing her new role as president. Teena is currently posted to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, where she works as a substitute teacher. 

Although Leslie spent her preteen years in the United States, she embraced her Canadian home with deep loyalty. She studied as a medical laboratory technologist, obtaining national certification and worked in hospital laboratories for 13 years before transferring to the environmental field. Leslie remains an advocate for both health care and environmental protection. She loves to travel and has visited all ten provinces and several European countries. 

Leslie is blessed with two sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. Sadly, she lost her husband several years ago after 35 years of marriage. 

Leslie has always had a deep connection with her faith and has served as a catechist, sacristan, Eucharistic minister, greeter and a member of her parish pastoral council. She completed a year of study in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, acting as a sponsor to her late husband. 

Leslie’s membership in the League began 39 years ago, after she relocated to a new community for her husband’s work. The friendships made have given her strength through many life-changing events. She served as secretary and vice-president/chairperson of organization at the parish level. At the provincial level, Leslie served as chairperson of communications, was a member of the planning committee for the 2023 national annual meeting of members, presented workshops on the strategic plan resources, particularly those pertaining to leadership and assisted with Unity Outreach presentations. She was a presenter of the workshop “Lead Us Closer to You, Lord,” at the 2025 national convention. 

Leslie is forever grateful for her faith and for the friends she has made through her journey and looks forward to many more. 

Rhona was born in rural Newfoundland and moved to St. John’s to resume her studies after completing her education. She worked for the Health Sciences Centre for 24 years and for Memorial University of Newfoundland for 16 years as a food service manager.

Rhona met and married her husband in 1975 and moved to Mount Pearl. They have two adult daughters and two grand-puppies, Zoe and Bella.

Having retired 15 years ago, Rhona continues to actively serve in her parish, volunteering for numerous programs. She is an ambassador for the Education Program at The Rooms, as well as an ambassador for tourism, where she greets travellers from the cruise ships that arrive in the city. She enjoys golfing, bike riding and reading, and will be a volunteer for the 2025 Canada Summer Games in August.

Rhona has been a member of the League at Mary, Queen of the World Parish Council (Mount Pearl) for six years. She is currently in her second term as president until January 2026.

In 2023, Rhona was elected to the provincial council as secretary, and in October 2024, she became interim president. In May 2025, she was elected president of Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Council.

Rhona wishes to acknowledge the guidance and support from other League sisters who have played a sufficient role in her League journey. The League has enabled her to meet many wonderful women and learn more about the organization. During her term as provincial president, her focus will be on being present and available to all members and working with council presidents and members to keep the councils going strong by responding with, Here I am Lord, send me.

Sandra has lived in Sydney, Nova Scotia, since birth. A member for 35 years, she served on the parish level for 12 years, the diocesan executive for 14 years and the provincial executive for the last eight years. Sandra attended her first meeting at St. Anthony Daniel Parish Council (Sydney) with a friend who had joined a year earlier. The sense of welcome from other members and the realization of what the League does within the parish and community made an impact that evening. When elections were held the following year, Sandra let her name stand for a standing committee. That was the beginning! She is currently a member of the amalgamated parish of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish Council (Sydney). Sandra was honoured to serve as Antigonish Diocesan President from 2013-2015. Her term as provincial president will be from 2025 to 2027.

Over the years, Sandra has served her parishes as a lector, Eucharistic minister, member of the liturgy committee and of the parish council. Sandra has worked on League projects such as Project Grow, Leading the League, Catch the Fire! and S’mores. She has facilitated at leadership workshops throughout the Antigonish diocese. Sandra received her maple leaf service pin in 2010 and was awarded life membership in 2021. Mentors have played a large part in Sandra’s League journey. Donna Bates, Joan Bona, Cecile Miller, Debbie Samson and others offered guidance and were always available as a source of knowledge and experience.

Sandra’s goal is to educate parishioners on the importance of the League and to help them realize the gift that having a council in a parish can mean for the community. Focusing on parish relationships and working on projects that benefit the parish, diocese, province and country will be the main objective. A goal of a 2% net increase in membership will also be introduced to hopefully entice councils to actively recruit, retain and regain members.

Sandra is employed by the Diocese of Antigonish in the business office as the senior financial clerk. She was married in 1986 to Jim, with whom she has one son, Phillip, and one grandson, Parker.

Her daily goal is to find JOY and to give JOY to another. With JOY in your life, anything is possible.

Colleen was born in a small town in northern Ontario, Atikokan. She is part of a large family with 6 brothers and 1 sister. Having only one sister Colleen appreciates the additional sisterhood of the League.  

She attended Carleton University in Ottawa and graduated in 1985 earning a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting. She returned to northwestern Ontario and settled in Thunder Bay.  In 1987, Colleen married her best friend Bruce and together they have two children Jarred and Tamara.  The family grew further adding the children’s life partners Jeff and Lexy, and two grandsons Noah and Billy. 

Colleen’s passion for social justice for First Nation peoples began with work experience in 1992.  Through the subsequent years, her knowledge of the history of First Nations communities and their struggles grew as did her passion for Truth and Reconciliation.  In 2014, she became a founding member of Mikinakoos Children’s Fund which envisions a future where all First Nation children are lifted from poverty; she continues to support this work today. 

Active in the Church her whole life, Colleen responded with surprise when someone asked why she was not a member of the League in 1998.  She had never thought of it although her mother, at her passing in 2020, was a member for more than 60 years.  Immediately upon being asked, Colleen joined the League and often refers to that invitation as “the gift of joy that just keeps on giving.” 

As Diocesan President 2007-2009, Colleen challenged the 27 councils in the Thunder Bay Diocese to financially support Buy-A-Net for the eradication of malaria and more than $10,000 was raised.  Her local council gifted her a Maple Leaf Pin in 2009 and she was commissioned with a Life Member Pin in 2015. As a member of the Ontario Provincial Council for many years, Colleen was humbled by opportunities to support members in their spiritual development, promote Christian family life, and facilitate the resolutions process including a government visit and reception.  She held the positions of Treasurer, 1st Vice-President, and President-Elect prior to installation as Ontario provincial president in July 2024. 

Having forged many lifelong friends in the League, along with experiencing much personal growth, Colleen envisions continuing this journey with her sisters of the League far into the future. 

 

Cheryl is filled with gratitude, humility and a deep sense of responsibility as she begins her role as president of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada for 2025-2027 term. 

Born in Carol Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, Cheryl enjoyed her childhood years in the North until she moved to Nova Scotia in 1975. In 1981, she moved to Edmonton, Alberta, for work and enjoyed 39 years in the city, raising her family. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she moved to Kinkora with plans to retire on this beautiful island. 

Cheryl and her husband attend St. Malachy’s Parish. She has been married to Lewis for 38 years and has two grown children, Stephanie and Brandon, as well as three beautiful grandsons: Isaac (12), Erik (9) and Noah (3). They all live in Edmonton. 

A member for 26 years, Cheryl joined the League in 1999 in Edmonton at St. John Bosco Parish. She joined because she had no family in Edmonton, wanted to make friends and be around like-minded people and wanted to get involved in the church and give back to her community. Cheryl gained many friendships, as well as a wealth of knowledge about the League. She also gained leadership skills and gratification from being able to help her parish, community and country by making a difference. 

Cheryl became parish president after serving as a member for only three years and held the position for three years, followed by a three-year term as past president before moving to the next level, the Edmonton Diocesan Council Executive. She served as diocesan treasurer for four years, chairperson of spiritual development for two years, president-elect for two years, president for two years, and past president for a three-year term due to the pandemic.  

She received the maple leaf service pin as well as the “Family of the Year” award from her parish in Edmonton. 

When Cheryl moved to Prince Edward Island, she took on the task of updating and maintaining the provincial website. In May 2021, she was elected provincial treasurer, then vice-president and now president. 

In January 2025, Cheryl retired from Alberta Health Services after 18 years as an executive assistant. God had other plans for her, and she now works part-time as an executive assistant and bookkeeper for the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada. Her colleague, John Ruetz, the president and chief executive officer, was the guest speaker at the 2024 provincial convention. 

Cheryl notes that “as members of the League, we are united in faith, rooted in love for God and Canada, and committed to service. We are called not only to action but to prayerful action — to listen to the Spirit, to lift each other up, and to advocate for justice, compassion, and care in our homes, parishes, and communities.” 

Looking ahead, she prays that the provincial council will be a source of light—encouraging new voices, nurturing friendships and creating space for all women to feel welcomed, seen, heard and empowered in Christ. 

“Let us continue to grow together in faith, with courage and kindness in our hearts, and with Mary as our model and guide. May we always remember that our strength comes from our unity, our faith, and our mission to serve.” 

Helen was born in Lachine, Quebec, and now lives in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a suburb of Montreal. Her journey with The Catholic Women’s League of Canada began in 1997 when she became a member of the St. David’s Parish Council in Pierrefonds, Quebec. She held several executive positions, including Spiritual Development Chairperson, President, and Past President, serving in these leadership roles from 1998 to 2021. 

In addition to her service within the League, Helen was an active member of her parish community. She served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and member of the Liturgy Committee. She also served on the Adult Faith Formation Team, contributing to the spiritual growth and faith formation of families within the parish. Following the closing of the St. David’s Parish Council, she joined St. Luke’s Parish Council, where she served as Spiritual Development Chairperson from 2022 to 2023, fostering the spiritual growth of members—one of the core missions of the League. 

Helen extended her leadership to the Montreal Diocesan Council, where she served from 2012 to 2021 in several executive positions, including Spiritual Development Chairperson, Organization Chairperson, Diocesan President, and Past President. During this time, she participated in the planning and organization of diocesan and provincial conventions and retreats. She also attended several National Conventions and served on the planning committee for the 2020 National Convention in Montreal, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the provincial level, Helen served as Quebec Provincial Chairperson for Spiritual Development (2019–2022), Chairperson for Communications (2022–2024), and as Quebec Provincial Vice-President and President-elect (2024–2026), now having the privilege of serving as Quebec Provincial President. 

Beyond her service with the League, Helen serves as Secretary of the Roxboro 60+ Club, which offers activities and outings for seniors. She also volunteers supporting Notre-Dame-de-la-Rue (Our Lady of the Street), a Montreal-based organization that reaches out to people experiencing homelessness, offering compassion, practical assistance, and the comforting presence of the Church. 

Helen is grateful for the many opportunities the League has provided for her to grow in faith, friendship, and leadership. She hopes to inspire other members to discover their own gifts, share their talents with confidence, and embrace opportunities to serve. She considers it both a privilege and a blessing to serve as Quebec Provincial President, working alongside the many remarkable women and men whose faith, generosity, and commitment continue to strengthen the League’s mission. 

Donna was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.  She moved to Regina and  worked with Sask Tel first as an information operator, and then as a service representative.  Her parish was downtown at Blessed Sacrament and that is where her and her husband Barry were married in 1968.  Their first home was in the Christ the King Parish and that September she joined the League ladies there for a potluck supper. She was warmly welcomed and loves potluck suppers to this day. 

When her son was born, they moved to the Hillsdale area, and she joined St Anne’s Parish Council. With the encouragement of such members as Honorary Life Member Jean Mahoney, in 1974 she became parish council president. In 1976 her family, now a daughter had joined them; moved to Meadow Lake. She served as Saskatchewan Provincial Christian Family Life Convenor.  During this time, they added 3 daughters to their family. Donna embarked on a successful and fulfilling career as a realtor for 15 years. 

In 2021, Donna and her family moved to Saskatoon. One of her first League meetings in the new diocese featured a speaker from Hope Restored Canada; a home for women wanting out of the sex trade.  They spoke about human trafficking and how raising awareness of this present-day slavery was needed.  Four years later, the parish council now has a Human Trafficking power point presentation, and the city and province have both proclaimed February 22nd as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  All this involvement lit a fire in Donna and the more she participated in the diocesan and provincial programs and conventions, the more she wanted to be involved. 

Donna and Barry celebrated 56 years of marriage before his passing in 2024.  Along with their five children, they have 13 grandchildren.