2005 Annual Report of Quebec Provincial President
Pearl Bridgwater

It is with a sense of great pride that I present this review of the efforts and accomplishments of the provincial council. Annual reporting brings to the forefront the scope of members' commitment as League family to make their world a better place. I sincerely believe that each member deserves my heartfelt thanks for a job well done!

Spiritual development
Members attended prayerful pilgrimages to St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Beauvoir and Mary Queen of Hearts in Chertsey. They attended retreats in their communities during the Lenten season. One diocesan council had its annual day of recollection during Lent and extended invitations to all parish councils. Parish council meetings began with mass, prayers, the rosary or spiritual readings. Members were involved in faith-sharing groups, bible studies, Echoes of Faith and Alpha Program. They served as lectors, communion ministers, wardens and catechists, and on pastoral, liturgical and parish orientation councils. Some members were on a diocesan ecumenical committee, one was a chaplain at a geriatric institute and another was the chairperson of the diocesan executive for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Members helped in planning and attended services for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the World Day of Prayer. Members used Nativity-scene postage stamps and encouraged others to also do so.

Organization
Many different methods were used to recruit members, such as personal contact, booths at city-run fairs, bingo and spaghetti nights, and a membership cocktail party celebrating 54 years of volunteering to honour members (non-members and friends were invited). Presidents spoke from the pulpit on membership Sunday. The faith community witnessed installation and re-affirmation ceremonies during mass for executives. Mentors were assigned to new members and presented them with special welcome kits. Members were encouraged to use the League website and to read and share their newsletters and League magazines.

Christian family life
Councils were committed to educating members regarding the church's teachings on abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide. A euthanasia workshop provided by the national chairperson was used by many councils. All members from one diocese sent letters to the University of Western Ontario in protest of an award given to Dr . Henry Morgentaler. Councils supported Birthright International with financial donations and the hosting of baby showers. One member acted as a liaison for new mothers who sometimes needed someone to listen and offer advice. Another attended the annual March for Life candle-light vigil and mass on Parliament Hill. Councils gave stoles at baptismal services to welcome babies as members of their community and other religious articles to children receiving the sacraments. Councils reported helping their aged by offering them rides to appointments and helping with their shopping.

Donations were sent to pro-life organizations and in support of Dans la Rue, Old Brewery Mission, Benedict Labre House, Nazareth House and St . Patrick Mission Circle. Special shawls and lap blankets were given to members of communities as gestures of friendship and comfort. Merry Christmas and We Love You were embroidered onto Christmas cushions and delivered to the sick and shut-in; prayers for the sick and the New Year were inserted. Job opportunities for youth were provided by one council. Seven members accompanied the youth of their parishes to World Youth Day celebrations in Germany. Letters protesting the abuse of residents in long-term care facilities and against proposed changes to the definition of marriage were forwarded to government ministers.

Community life
Not only was disaster aid provided to India and New Orleans, but financial and volunteer support was provided to the Father Dowd Home, Omega House, St. Andrew's Home, Save A Family Plan, Victorian Order of Nurses, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Meals on Wheels, Friends of the Bishop, Juan Moreno Group, L'Accueil Bonneau, Les Loits D'Emile, Dix Milles Villages and local schools, hospitals and parish food banks. Members were asked to boycott companies that sold bottled water and instead, drink tap water which has proven in most cases to be as safe to drink and cheaper to both pocket and environment. Members bought fair trade coffee. All councils supported the Purple Rose campaign by buying and wearing the pins . A video on trafficking of women and children was viewed by all the councils in one diocese.

Education and health
Faith education was in the hands of parents and their parish communities. Members volunteered as catechists and teachers of children's liturgy. They participated in exercise clubs, joined weight loss and diet groups, did exercises at monthly meetings and participated in a walk-a-thon for breast cancer. Councils offered scholarships to students for further education and were local school science fair judges. Members viewed the film Listen to the Whispers regarding ovarian cancer. Members or guest speakers spoke about education or health at monthly meetings. Members were environmentally conscious by recycling, gardening, planting trees, composting, observing litter restrictions, walking more and driving less and bicycling when weather permitted. Aid was provided to MaterCare International.

Communications
Members were encouraged to use The Canadian League magazine, national and provincial websites and the provincial newsletter Communicating with League. The CWL corner in The Catholic Times and parish bulletins were the main outside channels of communication. One council president's annual report was inserted into the parish bulletin and a list of donations to charities was included, allowing parishioners to see how their donations were disbursed. Meeting minutes, Christmas cards, thinking of you cards and birthday cards were sent to the sick and shut-in. Local radio and television stations were used to advertise council functions as well as posters and announcements in community centres, small businesses, local schools and churches.

Resolutions and legislation
Councils monitored and studied legislation at all levels of government. Councils distributed the Personal Letter Writing Guide and a sample letter on assisted suicide that members could use in writing to their member of parliament. The 11 resolutions adopted at national convention were discussed and a contingency plan of action was explored.

Councils still struggled with the task of getting members to take office. I hope the good works done by these dedicated members will inspire other members to let their names stand.