REPORT OF QUEBEC PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
LORNA HALDERMAN

As a member and provincial president I was encouraged, inspired and mentored by many wonderful women. I thank them for being there for me.

Again, I put to paper the good deeds made possible by the 1,218 members in Quebec. Although small in number, the spirit of the CWL burns bright as members continued to serve ?For God and Canada.?

Spiritual Development
We prayed! Many councils began their meetings with the League Prayer or a mass. The provincial workshop day opened on a very spiritual note with a cantor singing the Liturgy of the Hours. Members gathered in prayer, meditation and reflection at shrines, during retreats and days of recollection. Councils were encouraged to use Sing League Praises and monthly prayers found on the provincial website.

We remembered! Through the prayer shawl ministry, members were remembered in illness or in grief. Deceased members were celebrated through books of life, honour guards, mass cards and memorial masses.

We ministered! Members were involved in faith-sharing groups, recitation of the rosary, Stations of the Cross, holy hours, bible studies and prayer chains. They assisted in their parishes as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, baptism preparation instructors, banner designers and in choirs and on committees.

Organization
We mentored! The provincial workshop day attracted over 60 members. This year's offerings included the ?The Treasure Within? and ?Walk the Talk? through the CWL calendar. Life members were to be praised for their continued commitment to their councils and the extraordinary work they accomplished on all League levels.

We encouraged! First, members were recruited and personal invitations remained the best method. Many councils offered new members a welcome kit. Councils used telephone calls, e-mails, letters and personal contact to encourage members to renew. Through the efforts of telephone committees, members were not only reminded of upcoming meetings and special events but felt a part of their council whether or not they could attend. In recognition of members' service and dedication, pins, certificates and gifts were presented, while special events were planned to celebrate personal or council anniversaries.

We led! With the help of mentoring and encouragement, members took on leadership positions, attended conventions at all levels and prepared annual reports. Although reports remained a thorn in the side of many chairpersons, they did eventually get done.

Christian Family Life
We supported children and youth! They are the future and members helped them at home and abroad either by holding baby showers for Birthright International or by monetary donations to care for a child in Bangladesh. On a spiritual level, many councils gave gifts to children being baptized or who made their first communion or confirmation, but more importantly, many members were prayer partners to these children. Members also worked with the youth in their parishes who were planning to attend World Youth Day in Germany in 2005.

We supported marriage and family! The Canadian Organization for Life and Family publication Marriage Matters was distributed and discussed. Members were encouraged to write to the prime minister, the justice minister and their local members of parliament (MP) to voice their concerns about the definition of marriage and the protection of life at the embryonic stage. Marriage was celebrated by several councils, during mass with special blessings, with supper gatherings or card signings. One council celebrated its 10th anniversary with a soup luncheon in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Several members walked in the Annual National March for Life on Parliament Hill.

We supported organizations! Donations were made to the National Pro-life Fund, Families for Children and the Catholic Organization for Life and Family.

Community Life
We served! Members volunteered their time and talents to Nazareth House, Benedict Labre House, Victoria Order of Nurses, Father Down Home, Avatil and St. Brigid's Home. They also offered their time shopping and visiting the sick and shut-ins. Through the numerous fundraisers, councils were able to make donations to their parishes as well as many charitable organizations locally, in the province, country and worldwide. The new provincial initiative, ?Muffins & Mittens,? launched at the workshop day collected money and winter apparel from members for Dans la rue, an organization that helps street kids.

We honoured! Some councils participated in Armistice Day by laying a wreath at the local cenotaph. Information on Bill 26 An Act to ensure the protection of veterans' graves and war graves was presented, discussed and handed out.

Education and Health
We learned! Members were encouraged to follow Echoes of Faith courses to continue their faith growth. Many councils offered bursaries and awards to elementary and high school students. One council requested a copy of Religious Education Programs in Canada available through national office. Through the many resolutions, especially Resolution 03.04 Healthy Living for Life, members realized the importance of good health and exercise. Some councils offered a mini-exercise break during their meetings.

We taught! Many members were active in the Faith First program, which prepares children making their first communion, confirmation and the sacrament of reconciliation. A copy of the video, Listen to the Whispers, about ovarian cancer was made available to every diocesan council for their parish councils. Some of the topics covered under this standing committee included MaterCare International, Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change , tanning beds, the morning-after pill, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), organ donation and medication mistakes.

Communications
We communicated! Parish bulletins, pulpit announcements, pocket calendars, local newspapers and radio stations helped publicize events, congratulation notices and gratitudes. Provincial and parish newsletters continued to keep members informed. Both the provincial and Quebec diocesan websites launched in June continued to develop and grow in use.

We promoted! The Canadian League magazine was often used as discussion material at general meetings. It offered members a wealth of information about the League and numerous other issues such as health and social justice. CWL or Solidarity Sunday was held in many councils with masses, information booths and members speaking during and after mass. The White Ribbon Against Pornography campaign was promoted in many parishes, with the signed ribbons mailed along with a letter from the council to the local MPs or the minister of justice.

Resolutions and Legislation
We reviewed! Councils continued to review and follow the action plans for resolutions adopted at national conventions by inviting speakers and having discussions.

We wrote! Sample letters on late-term abortion and Resolution 04.03 Abuse of Residents in Long-term Care Facilities were circulated, signed and sent to the Quebec minister of health and social services. Resolution 96.05 Same Sex Marriages, Bill C-13 Assisted Reproduction Act and Resolution 03.08 National Strategy to Eliminate Computer-Based Child Pornography were topics of great concern and members wrote letters on these issues to the appropriate government officials.

We surfed the 'net! Councils were provided with websites for members to consult concerning legislation and alerted their members to specific issues.

All good things must come to an end, even my dream of being Quebec provincial president. It was a wonderful learning experience, one that I wish more members would aspire to. I thank my executive for making my job easy, the many members who allowed me the gift of their friendship and the great ladies of Quebec for giving me the opportunity to serve. Au revoir, until we meet again!