Catholic Women's League -

Diocesan Reports

• Alexandria-Cornwall
• Hamilton
• Hearst
• Kingston
• London
• Ottawa
• Pembroke
• Peterborough
• St Catharines
• Sault Ste. Marie
• Thunder Bay
• Timmins
• Toronto

Reports- Timmins Diocese

Convention Report (Jul 09) |Annual Report 2008|

Report to Provincial Convention July 2009

Diocesan President: Frances Freeman

Timmins Diocese is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. A certificate of congratulations was received from National and anniversary mugs with the CWL logo were for sale and some given out as prizes at our convention.
The diocesan sub-theme is “Seeing Christ in One Another”. This theme was reflected throughout the annual convention. It was the topic for a workshop given by Carol Kuzmochka, director and professor at St. Paul University. Carmel Rumleskie talked about ways to keep members informed and involved through Faith, Fun and Fulfillment.
The video “Celebrating What’s Right With the World” followed by a workshop by Life Member, Anne Plaunt was very uplifting and reflective.
Congratulations and certificates were received from our National President for one council celebrating their 75th and one for their 50th Anniversary. One 60-year member was presented with certificates and congratulations from National and Provincial Presidents as well as the bishop. Certificates were also given for 50 and 40-year members.
Timmins Diocese has nine parishes and less than 600 members.
   The Buy a Net Program has been a success. To date $ 3083.50 has been donated.
   A challenge has been put to all councils to make monthly donations to Canadian Food For Children care of Dr. Simone. Each month certain articles are being asked for such as heavy bags suitable for carrying rice, another month school supplies and so on. For many years, members have been knitting pneumonia vests and they continue to knit with peace hope and love for Dr. Simone’s shipment to the needy.
A spiritual retreat on the Pauline Year was lead by Timmins Diocesan Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Wayne Mills. One of the smaller councils acted as host.
   Project Outreach- “Aging In Place and Senior Friendly Communities” welcomed members and the public. Timmins diocese covers a large distance so two areas hosted the project. The communities showed a great interest in learning what Ontario has to offer to keep people safely in their homes and community as long as possible. Representatives from various government organizations presented information. The Rising Stars Troupe from Sault Ste Marie with Evelyn Theriault proved to be both entertaining and educational.
A discussion followed with recommendations for councils to act on issues pertaining to safety in the home and the community.

[ Top ]

Annual Report 2008

Diocesan President: Annette Kelly                              Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Wayne Mills
Members: 604                                                             Life Members:   3
Councils: 9

“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace”.       1Peter 4:8-10

In keeping with our Diocesan theme of KINDNESS to self, others, and the environment, our May Convention featured a workshop on ‘Dealing with Stress’ and Dr. Andrew Simone of Canadian Food for Children spoke of the work being done to send food and other items to developing countries. Many members in our Diocese knitted pneumonia vests and these were collected at convention time to be brought to Canadian Food for Children. Proceeds of a raffle and private donations were given to Dr. Simone and a truckload of food, vests and other items were taken to the Mississauga warehouse. An effort was made to use regular dishware instead of styrofoam plates, and the collection at mass went to a local Cancer Support Group.

Margaret Ann Jacobs gave an excellent workshop on “Called to be Living Stones”, and we were pleased to have our Bishop with us at the closing mass. Standing Committee Chairpersons set up displays of their Committee’s responsibilities highlighting 1 area; a question was posed at each display and the winner received a small prize.
The members who attended the Provincial Convention in Arnprior came back prepared to implement ideas gained there. Diocesan copied the Buy-a-net DVD and gave one to each of our Parish Councils; a challenge was issued to show the DVD and buy at least 1 mosquito bed net each in 2008. One Council has collected over $800 already.
Attendance at the WUCWO Regional Convention and the National Convention in Winnipeg was made possible with the financial support from the Provincial Council.

A Leadership Development Day was held at one of the smaller Councils and 5 Committees were outlined for members of the 3 Councils who participated. We are trying to involve the smaller Councils by asking them to host these 1 day events, since they would be unable to manage a full weekend Convention.
Diocesan members gave the following workshops: “On Being Kinder” and “A Short Exercise in Discernment”. We made plans for a Spiritual Retreat to be held in January 2009 using the Pauline materials and once again will go to a smaller Council who will host the day.

2 Questionnaires were created, “Questionnaire for Past Presidents” and a “Seniors Services Questionnaire” from an Ad Hoc Committee formed to look into a past Diocesan resolution. Our Project Outreach, “Aging in Place and Senior Friendly Communities” was put on hold until the fall of 2009.
The Council which was ‘inactive’ has now been disbanded by National since there has been no per capita received in the past 3 years.

| top |