REPORT OF NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON
OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
BETTY ANNE BROWN

Sub-committee chairpersons:
Bonnie Brennan ? Study of Catholic teachings
Carmel Foster ? Evangelization and mission assistance
Anne Teschke ? Lay ministries
Kay Kiss ? Ecumenism and interfaith endeavours

?For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.? (Matthew 18:20)

Deepening their relationships with God was the imperative that drove League members. Their actions spoke louder than words and they meant what they professed in the Mission Statement. From coast to coast to coast, members were women who were ??rooted in gospel values, called to holiness through service to the people of God.?

?Reports indicate many ongoing spiritual programs; devotions and active participation within the church structure are regular commitments.? (Suzanne Kiazyk, Manitoba)

Spiritual Growth of Members

  • programs on the national theme, cast out into the deep
  • Eucharistic celebrations prior to meetings and on special occasions
  • time for spiritual reflection at council meetings
  • retreats, days of reflection, parish missions, novenas and scripture study
  • devotion to Mary as patroness and rosary recitation, especially during May and October
  • daily personal prayer during Advent and Lent
  • Liturgy of the Hours
  • adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Divine Mercy devotion daily, weekly and monthly
  • prayer booklets
  • prayer partners for spiritual companionship
  • prayer lines
  • small faith sharing groups
  • CWL Sunday mass
  • a traveling statue of Mary, a crucifix or a chalice in members' homes for a week of special family prayer
  • Way of the Cross and rosary processions

  Study of Catholic Teachings

  • Pope John Paul II's apostolic letters (e.g., Mane Nobiscum Domini, Novo Millennio Inuente)
  • presentations on the lives of female saints and women in the bible
  • bible study, diocesan adult religious education programs and faith sharing groups
  • CWL Belonging program and Humble Prayer
  • the Eucharist and adoration
  • the Beatitudes, Catholic traditions and religious issues (i.e., on human life and social justice)
  • teen bible study, catechesis, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), Order of Christian Initiation for Adults sacramental preparation
  • pilgrimages to holy sites, Corpus Christi processions
  • parish penitential services

  Role of Women in the Church

  • pastoral council members, pastoral associates
  • prayer services for Our Lady of Good Counsel, as well as World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations International Day of Prayer
  • sick, disabled, elderly, bereaved families and dying visits
  • troubled youth, families in distress and the imprisoned counseling
  • mothers' prayer groups
  • wake services for deceased members, honour guard at funerals and remembrance at special masses and prayer services from CWL Prays
  • members of Third Order and confraternities

Evangelization and Mission Assistance

  • spiritual theme workshops (e.g., one provincial council developed a rosary workshop with a social justice focus, suitable for an ecumenical presentation)
  • diocesan and Vision TV daily mass
  • masses for the intentions of vocations and sanctity of life
  • NET ministries, Catholic Charismatic Conference
  • educational activities: communications, ecumenism, liturgy and spiritual formation, rosary instruction to children, parish lending library
  • prayer services at nursing homes
  • special prayers for deported women, the women in war-torn countries, tsunami victims
  • prayer ?buddies? for unborn children and confirmandee
  • gifts at baptism, first communion, confirmation, marriage, ordination, graduation
  • silent prayer vigils at hospitals, Canadian forces bases, Parliament Hill
  • Birthright International, The Canadian Food for Children Organization, Catholic Missions In Canada, Esk-Omi Missions, foster children and families in India and Viet Nam, Habitat for Humanity, inner-city poverty outreach, Scarboro Missions, St. Vincent de Paul Society financially assisted
  • mission twinning activities
  • gifts to Samaritan's Purse ? Operation Christmas Child
  • fair trade products

  Lay Ministries

  • parish liturgical ministries (e.g., altar servers, children's liturgy teachers, church decorations, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, intercession writers, lay presiders, lectors, money counters, music ministry, sacristans)
  • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion for sick and shut-in
  • members of parish, school and community boards promoted social justice issues and action
  • workshops for music ministry, RCIA, lay ministers, pastoral caregivers
  • care homes, homeless and women's shelters
  • milk and breakfast program at schools
  • food hampers for the poor, food banks
  • prayer shawls for those in need
  • palliative care, hospice and Meals on Wheels
  • afternoon meetings for seniors with a spiritual program, music and socializing
  • spiritual bouquets, get-well and sympathy cards
  • funeral lunches for families, parish and community

  Ecumenism and Interfaith Endeavours

  • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, World Day of Prayer, St. Patrick's Day parade, Remembrance Day and Christmas carol services
  • Alpha, the ecumenical bible study program
  • World Marriage Day celebrations, Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada's Healing Waters workshop
  • Proclamation, an international public reading of the bible in several languages over the course of 10 days
  • joint community prayer services, socials and meetings to address local concerns
  • regular interfaith prayer breakfasts
  • reflective community Advent and Lenten programs
  • Taize Prayer Service
  • food banks
  • ecumenical dialogue with local Christian leaders
  • Golden Rule of various religions

  Special Mention

  • current topics of interest: Eucharistic Congress in Mexico , the Shroud of Turin exhibit, a missionary spoke about work in a developing world country
  • Keep Christ in Christmas campaign by Knights of Columbus
  • Catholic journals, periodicals and videos
  • Catholic reading material for penitentiary, airport chapels, teen homes, hospitals, parish sales
  • prayers with spiritual quotes about Mary for a month
  • daily prayer via various Internet sites
  • the movie The Passion of the Christ followed by a social and discussion
  • stained glass windows for a chapel, candle holders, tablecloths, covers for sacred vessels
  • World Youth Day pilgrims
  • Lenten Seder meal to explore Jewish roots, Hindu temple visit
  • Sisters in Spirit campaign

?Our reports clearly show that our members are meeting and exceeding the Objects of the League.? (Lenora Furey, Newfoundland and Labrador)