2007 Annual Report of The annual report gives witness to God's great gift of love in the countless dedicated acts of service performed by members. The sub-theme Celebrate Each Other offered opportunities to: celebrate the 60th anniversary; respond to the challenge of increasing membership to 60,000; focus on The Call of the Poor as the charity to which funds were channeled; and, share special events planned specifically for the annual provincial convention. Provincial President-elect Margaret Ann Jacobs, First Vice-President Muriel Murphy and Second Vice-President Shari Guinta represented Provincial President Shirley George at arch/diocesan council conventions and reported amazing gatherings, inspirational spiritual programs, motivating speakers, and thought-provoking educational reports. Sixtieth anniversary initiatives were promoted. Nine of the 13 arch/diocesan councils elected new presidents to join the provincial executive. Provincial elections affirmed a new slate of officers and welcomed Auxiliary Bishop Peter Hundt of Toronto as the new spiritual advisor. Focus groups, commissioned by national council and addressing the action of realigning standing committees, were conducted by each arch/diocesan council and the provincial council. The anniversary committee, under the capable direction of Sandra Wieckowski, invoked various media to allow members to Celebrate Each Other: promotional flyers; gifts for the first 60 registrants; 60 spot prizes; anniversary t-shirts; certificates for members and councils celebrating 60 years; key chains for all registrants; photo cards of life members with provincial and national presidents; ?Walk of Decades? fashion show including music and scripted narrative of League history and current events for each decade; coffee mugs; and, of course, a 60th anniversary cake. Guest speakers at the provincial convention included: National President Lorette Noble who addressed the national theme Love One Another; Kathryn Mistry, ?Celebrating Pastoral Assistants' Call?; and, Minister of the Environment the Honourable Laurel Broten who spoke about loving our environment. Training workshops were presented by the following League members: Life Member Irene Perrault and Bev Weiler for community life; Life Member Louise Gamelin and Jeannie Coleman for Christian family life; and, Marlene Pavletic and Willy Wicha for education and health. A convention news release with highlights of the day's activities including photographs was circulated each morning. Provincial government meetings were held in January with representatives from the provincial planning and environmental branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, parliamentary assistant to the attorney general and the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Three resolutions were presented and approved at the annual provincial convention. Resolutions surveys for 2000/2005 and 2001/2006 were completed and distributed. In support of Catholic education, the council produced over 5,500 pamphlets, Catholic Education in Challenging Times, which had been prepared by Marlene Pavletic and Pauline Krupa and distributed to every parish council in Ontario , several school boards, trustees and associations. The council renewed membership in the Catholic Health Association of Canada, Catholic Health Association of Ontario, Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, and Catholic Biblical Federation as well as renewed subscriptions for The Catholic Register and Living With Christ. The provincial president and president-elect met with the executive of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss resolutions, current challenges facing the League and future plans. The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace office was also visited. The Ontario Provincial Manual of Policy and Procedure and provincial guidelines were updated. An overview of expectations and procedures for executive members was presented to the executive at the post-convention meeting. The provincial website, formerly hosted by MindStorm Studio, was transferred to Life Member Mary Lou Veeken and was revamped and updated. The provincial council was represented at and reports given for the following events: • Trafficking of Women and Children: Confronting the Issues Provincial training days were provided for Timmins, Hearst, Hamilton, St. Catharines, London, Thunder Bay and Toronto arch/diocesan councils. A renewed interest in leadership development was reflected by the number of arch/diocesan council workshops. At provincial executive meetings, presentations were made by life members Diane Curley and Anida Simurda on World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations, and Theresa Hartnett on communications. The video Celebrate What's Right with the World was viewed and the legislative building at Queen's Park was toured. League promotion continued in The Catholic Register with a centrefold to celebrate the council's 60th anniversary. The standing committees reflected on changes in the League over the years. A cross from London Diocesan Council and a chalice and ciborium from Timmins Diocesan Council were donated for use by provincial council. Provincial council: • celebrated the acceptance of Louise Gamelin and Celestine Hall as life members Ontario Provincial Council was blessed by the presence of Provincial President Shirley George at its annual convention. She was wrapped in a shawl signed by members from around the province as she continued her journey back to good health. Shirley's message of love and appreciation renewed and reaffirmed the reason for gathering: Love One Another ? Celebrate Each Other.
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