June Brown
New Brunswick Provincial President
Provincial Spiritual Advisor Rev. Paul LeBlanc
The following is an overview of 2019 for New Brunswick Provincial Council. After a well-attended provincial convention in May and the national convention in August, regional meetings were held in Rexton and Lincoln. National President Anne-Marie Gorman attended the provincial convention and the regional meeting in Rexton and presented a Planning Strategically workshop at each. The Planning Strategically workshop was also presented at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Rothesay during a “Meet the National President” gathering.
Three parish councils celebrated significant anniversaries. St. John the Evangelist Parish Council (Belledune) celebrated 80 years, St. Rose of Lima Parish Council (Saint John) celebrated 75 years, and St. Thomas the Apostle (Red Bank) celebrated its 60th anniversary. The longtime president of St. Rose of Lima Council (Saint John), Yvonne Theriault, was presented with the Bellelle Guerin Award. Members mourned the death of Life Member Joyce Shannon.
Although without diocesan councils, Catholics in the Diocese of Saint John said goodbye to Bishop Robert Harris and welcomed Bishop Christian Reisbeck. Both of these bishops were great supporters of the League, and members were thankful for their service.
Though the membership was ageing and it was difficult to attract new members, councils worked diligently for their parishes and continued to gather ecumenically and socially. Due to health concerns of her husband, Rob, Provincial President Hazel Robichaud submitted her resignation on October 1st, and I stepped into the role at that time.