2005 Annual Report of Manitoba Provincial President
Terri Scott

Companions on the journey, the theme chosen to inspire members these past two years, has opened our eyes and made us more aware of the women who are travellers with us and also how our own shortcomings and attitudes affect the council and prevent its growth. Indeed, members have awakened to the fact that the future of the League lies with each one of us and that being a good companion is not as easy as it sounds. The annual reports have proven that members have blossomed and developed. We have encouraged each other to carry on when we have felt like giving up, fed each other when we have been hungry and shared our gifts. The journey has been challenging and we have become well-travelled, but with the grace of our Lord and the guidance of Our Lady of Good Counsel, we have endured the long journey and have learned to appreciate the many types of companions found along the way. Members are to be commended for sharing their gifts to make the journey pleasant and rewarding for their companions.

?God is not solitude, but perfect communion. For this reason the human person, the image of God, realizes himself or herself in love, which is a sincere gift of self.? (Pope Benedict XVI)

What members did:
•  prayed everywhere, keeping spirituality as the main focus of the League always
•  used different forms of group prayer to keep the spirit alive in their midst
•  studied scripture, attended bible study, prayed together in church and alone at home
•  evangelized in soup kitchens and drop-in centres and provided assistance to foreign missions
•  provided support for bereaved, the poor, the elderly and youth
•  supported Catholic Missions In Canada, Esk-Omi Missions, Kee-Pas Missions and other northern missions
•  sponsored events such as retreats, guest speakers, potluck dinners, parish missions, pilgrimages, banquets, teas and wind-ups to make others more aware of the League
•  awarded members with pins and certificates
•  attended St. Boniface Diocesan Council's Sacred Energies Day, conventions and meetings at all levels
•  congregated in St. Theresa Parish, Middlechurch, for an awesome provincial convention
•  sponsored presentations, retreats and programs for youth
•  served on the boards of Alpha House Project, The Catholic Foundation of Manitoba, Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada, Catholic Health Association of Manitoba and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
•  presented scholarships, bursaries and other awards to students at various schools
•  initiated a novel program by contacting a member's family to have them write a ?living eulogy? about her
•  took action on resolutions adopted in recent years such as those regarding water, children and health issues
•  wrote letters to members of parliament (MPs) on various matters of concern such as trafficking of women and children and the definition of marriage

The 20 life members continued to mentor and train members. Provincial Life Member Liaison Margaret Silverthorne has published the provincial annual report books for many years. The 2,840 members were active and a total of 36 members died during the year.

?It is theologically and anthropologically important for woman to be at the center of Christianity. Through Mary, and the other holy women, the feminine element stand at the heart of the Christian religion.? (Pope Benedict XVI)

How members stood at the heart of Christianity:
•  used candles, rosaries, prayer calendars, spiritual bouquets and videos
•  used encyclicals, attended the Nathanael Program, Alpha Program, and other Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults programs
•  provided funeral lunches for the bereaved and prayed for their families
•  made soup and collected clothing and food for needy families
•  supported MaterCare International monetarily and by donating AirMiles?
•  communicated with the parish and each other using bulletins, newsletters and bulletin boards
•  educated new members by giving new member kits
•  used different ways of preparing annual reports, such as information gathering sessions where information was typed, or using forms to gather information
•  initiated letter writing campaigns to MPs and the prime minister regarding Bill C-407 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity), the definition of marriage and stem cell research
•  ministered to the disabled, seniors, the widowed, separated and divorced by inviting them to special events, visiting and offering assistance
•  contacted members for various events by telephone, e-mail and newsletters
•  promoted use of programs such as cybertip.ca ( Canada 's national tip line for reporting online sexual exploitation of children) and the Ribbon of Signatures campaign by handing out white ribbons before mass
•  sent petitions to MPs

??women preserve the deep intuition of the goodness in their lives of those actions which elicit life, and contribute to the growth and protection of the other.? (Pope Benedict XVI)

How members contributed to the growth and protection of others:
•  prayed for the sick, the dying and for special intentions
•  spread the Word of God in the parish and in the community
•  were involved with ecumenism and attended various ecumenical church services and inter-religious services and activities
•  were involved in all aspects of parish life
•  used League publications such as The Canadian League , Leading the League and t he National Manual of Policy and Procedure
•  attended World Day of Prayer and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity services
•  supported organizations such as Osborne House to help abused women and children, financially supported League for Life, Hike for Life, Life Chain, Campaign Life Coalition, Pregnancy Support Services, Grace Haven, Villa Rosa, Spence Street Thrift Shop, Pregnancy Crisis Centre, Ladybug Foundation and a pro-life conference
•  attended presentations on euthanasia/assisted suicide, trafficking of women and children and palliative care
•  gave spiritual and monetary support to aid seminarians
•  prepared Kid's Kits to give to foster children
•  educated themselves on the dangers of crystal methamphetamine
•  became informed on health issues such as osteoporosis, arthritis, cancer and fibromyalgia
•  supported programs to help keep the environment clean by recycling and becoming aware of clean water and air issues

Presidential activities
•  represented members at the annual national convention
•  attended all national executive meetings
•  represented members at the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada convention
•  attended all provincial executive meetings
•  brought greetings to several teas, communion breakfasts and celebrations
•  represented members at the local Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada
•  held the position of liturgy convener on the 2008 national convention committee

A position that I was afraid to step into, that I dreaded, that scared the life out of me, turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I was privileged to be invited on many journeys throughout the province and enjoyed bringing greetings and visiting my companions. I learned so much and I was blessed with an executive that took things in their stride, were willing to learn and liked to have fun. I appreciate their amazing capabilities, their charming vulnerabilities and their capacity for hard work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your ears, your hands and your hearts. You have become companions on my journey.

I truly believe that we have become more aware that as companions on the journey, however long or short, our own attitudes shape how the journey will progress. We are truly privileged to have enjoyed a journey that has been filled with faith, love and concern for each other.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to accompany us and be our companion as fulfil our work ?For God and Canada ? on this journey called the League.