REPORT OF
MILITARY ORDINARIATE PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
LYNN CASHIN

Spirituality continued to be the most important focus for all councils. All councils were actively involved in the various ministries in their military chapel communities. Several councils were involved with the World Day of Prayer. In April, one of the military chapels was closed and that CWL council moved to another military chapel to help start a new parish community. The councils continued to have a close relationship to their Protestant counterparts, the base Protestant Chapel Guild councils. On February 15th, CWL and guild councils across Canada came together on the various bases to celebrate commonality in special celebrations.

The councils were involved in local parish religious education programs. Many supported Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults programs, as well as children's liturgy programs. Members coordinated programs, taught classes, and prepared candidates for the sacraments. Many councils presented bursaries to students in their parishes or in local Catholic schools. Members volunteered in literacy programs and collected books to send to schools and missions. Members participated in many programs, including small Christian communities, widowed and divorced, marriage enrichment, and Alpha programs. Councils actively supported MaterCare International, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Recruiting was another important focus. Each year a contest is held for the largest increase of new and renewed members. The winner from the previous year re-issues the challenge and she provides a prize. In 2003, Holy Name Parish Council from Cold Lake, Alta., won a beautiful cross stitch from Our Lady of the Airways Parish Council in Ottawa, Ont. All councils were encouraged to have training workshops. A quarter of the active councils had a workshop in 2003. Some councils were active with their neighbouring civilian councils by assisting with their conventions or attending their workshops and special activities.

All councils reported that they had on-going projects that benefited the various needs of either the local, national, or international communities. Numerous councils supported local food banks, women's shelters and youth emergency services. Council members also volunteered at these community programs. Some projects that the councils supported were the northern missions and international charities, such as SOS Children's Village, Sleeping Children Around the World, Sharing Fair, Mennonite Central Committee's drive to collect toiletries for Iraq, and the Marc Leger Fund, which plans to restore the roof of a church in Bosnia.

Councils supported the national voluntary funds: Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the Coady International Institute, Breast Cancer Research Challenge Fund, MaterCare International, the National Pro-Life Fund, and Catholic Missions In Canada; and the military ordinariate (MO) provincial voluntary funds: the MO expenses fund, the MO vocation fund, and The Mickey Scott Fund; and other charities: Canadian Cancer Society, World Youth Day debt, and local charities. Many members volunteered their time to various organizations: Meals on Wheels, United Way, military family resource centres, local schools, assisting and driving for the blind, driving seniors, Red Cross, Girl Guides of Canada, local youth groups, and other local charities and organizations.

Councils advertised their events in their parish bulletins, base newspapers, local civilian newspapers and on local television stations. One parish council distributed a survey asking the women of their parish if they were not a member, why not? They got new members from this survey. The survey was published in the MO newsletter, Maryline, so that other councils could adapt the survey for their parish. Maryline was published by St. Francis of Assisi Parish Council in Petawawa, Ont. Thank you ladies! It was another great year for Maryline, which continued to unite the military councils spread across Canada. It continued to inspire, inform and entertain councils. Cynthia Tanchyk, MO Provincial Community Life Chairperson, submitted an article called “Fair Trade Cocoa” which was published in the fall 2003 issue of The Canadian League magazine. It was a job well done Cynthia! Many of the councils participated in the White Ribbon Against Pornography campaign. Councils reported having letter writing campaigns to members of parliament voicing opinions and concerns regarding such issues as the definition of marriage, embryonic stem cell research, and reproductive technology. Bullying was another issue of concern to many of the councils.

The administrative committee continued to conduct its meetings by conference calls. Two conference calls/meetings were held to conduct business and prepare for the provincial convention. The annual provincial convention was held in Edmonton, Alta., co-hosted by Our Lady of Loretto Parish Council from Edmonton, Alta., and by Holy Name Parish Council from Cold Lake, Alta. Congratulations ladies! It was a great convention! The MO was pleased that the Military Ordinary, Most Rev. Donald Theriault, was able to attend the convention. The MO was also delighted to have National President-elect Agnes Bedard attend and give the theme day workshop. As well, the MO was pleased that Alberta Mackenzie Provincial President Connie McBride was able to attend some of the convention and banquet. A great time was had by all. MO conventions are like family reunions. Everyone only sees each other once a year at convention time.

The MO provincial council was definitely fulfilling the objectives of the League. Members continued to make a difference in local communities and in the country. Even small groups can accomplish a great deal and have an impact on the world. These are comments from some of the MO standing committee chairpersons in their annual reports. I wholeheartedly agree. May God continue to bless The Catholic Women's League of Canada and may Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide us in our service “For God and Canada.”