2008 Annual Report of
Military Ordinariate Provincial Council
Julie LeLievre, Provincial President

Military Ordinariate Provincial Councils were a vital part of chapel life on military bases. Members were active in every aspect of ministry within the church as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, religious educators, coordinators of children's liturgy and Rites of Christian Initiation programs, ushers, decorators, greeters, providers of refreshments after mass and pastoral council members. Members were also very active in volunteering within the community and donating to various charities.

In Parishes
Members coordinated CWL masses and Coffee Membership Sunday; served lunch after mass to enhance fellowship time and "Soup and a Bun" after Good Friday services. They organized monthly card parties, the crowning of Mary, and afternoons of reflection; hosting pot luck lunches for a variety of events, World Day of Prayer together with the Protestant Chapel Guild, and a retirement party for long serving priest, Fr. John Domotor. Easter lilies were sold to parishioners who donated them toward the beautification of the chapel during Lent. There was participation in a Passion Play, the World Day of Prayer, and an Our Lady of Good Counsel remembrance mass. Members collected donations for missions, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the March for Life, and other pro-life causes. A CWL stained glass window was commissioned to commemorate one council's 50th anniversary. Funds were raised through Christmas and Valentine's bake sales, Mothers' Day basket raffles, Christmas gift wrapping, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the "Have a Heart Campaign", brunches, pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, fish cake supper after Good Friday mass. Members cleaned linens for chapel; prayed the rosary for the ill; and assisted at funeral receptions. Rites of Christian Initiation candidates were presented with a gift membership in the League.

In Community
Members volunteered at soup kitchens and for the Canadian Cancer Society. They visited seniors' homes; sold garden stones on behalf of Matercare International; attended the Vancouver Archdiocesan Convention and mass in Port Hope for the adoration of Our Lady of Notre-Dame du Cap. Joint prayer services and breakfasts were held with local area Protestant church women's groups. Members participated in the annual Super Cities Walk for MS; organized a pilgrimage to St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Quebec; helped to coordinate the 40 Days for Life campaign in Ottawa, Ontario and spoke on behalf of Matercare International. They worked alongside with a Ladies Guild to prepare World Day of Prayer 2008, canvassing for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association and Canadian Cancer Society. Christmas hampers were provided for needy families and babysitting was offered as a community time-out for moms.

In Council
Prayer partners were chosen. A spiritual bouquet was gathered for a member's husband who was very ill. Members researched saints and identified similar characteristics in council members. Members expressed their appreciation for the prayer and spiritual works offered by the League. To address the needs of members, meeting days were varied. Attendance at meetings was usually about one-half to three-quarters of the membership. The aging membership was a challenge as was the members' contentment to be inactive/semi-active. Most standing committees were filled. Members shared the responsibilities of some committees and tasks such as phoning members or providing refreshments for meetings. The Military Family Resource Centre presented ideas on how to send items overseas. Members brought in newspaper items to share with the council on issues of importance to them. Councils gathered for a pot luck and gift exchange, the Feast of our Lady of Good Counsel, and a Christmas social with the proceeds from the after dinner silent auction going to the Miriam Centre.

In the Military and Provincially
Members' activities included submitting articles to the Maryline; supporting the "M.O. Vocation Fund"; attending the provincial convention; catering the army chaplains' conference; donating to "Operation Dasher"; caroling; providing refreshments at a memorial service for a fallen soldier; hosting a meet and greet for the bishop; and laying a wreath at Remembrance Day services. One member served as a pastoral associate.

Members continued to provide for each other to strengthen their love of God. They were not only vital to the church community but also to the community at large through volunteering and monetary donations to various local and national charities.

Since parish councils are located all over Canada , meetings only occurred during conventions. Fall and spring meetings were not held. The administrative committee met by teleconference twice to conduct business. During the annual provincial convention, and in recognition of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress held in Quebec City, Quebec, a 24-hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was held.

The Web site was revised and can be found at www.cwl-mo.ca . One area of concern expressed was the lack of women taking on leadership roles at the parish and provincial levels - not a new issue, nor unique to the Military Ordinariate. However, in order to maintain military status, and because the councils operate within military bases, each executive member must be currently serving or retired military members, or an immediate member of a military family. As a result, many parish council presidents were recycled and fewer women were able to accept positions at the provincial level.

Following the provincial elections, the provincial executive had four vacant positions, which have since been filled by appointment. It is comprised of eight active military family members, one military member and two retired military family members.

Members continued to wearing red on Friday as a visible show of support for Canadian troops risking their lives to offer hope and stability to the people of Afghanistan . They also continued to pray for the troops' safe return and also pray for families at home awaiting their return.