Education & Health

Directive #4 April 05 | Directive #3 Jan 15 | Directive #2 30/Sept 09
Directive#1 30/Aug 09) | Convention Report (Jul 09)

Directive #:  4   Education and Health            5 April 2010

Greetings to all Arch/Diocesan Education and Health Chairs

I wish you the joy and peace that the wonderful season of Easter brings to all as we celebrate together the resurrection of Jesus.  I also want to welcome the new E&H chair from Hamilton diocese Marian Alexander and you will find her contact information in the revised list attached.  This will likely be the last directive until after the July Provincial convention because at this time many diocesan councils are planning their annual conventions and in four dioceses elections will take place and new chairs will come on board.  I thank those of you who are finishing your term with this committee for all your good work over the last 2 years and encourage you to continue to offer your service to the League.

1.         Education & Health Display at Provincial Convention in Cornwall

We will have a display at convention and I would like to showcase some of the great work reported by parishes in the 2009 annual reports.  I have picked out several activities from the reports submitted by diocesan chairs- activities that were unique to one diocese- and have emailed those dioceses to help round up the information for me to display on the board.  I hope this will allow us to learn from each other.  I look forward to meeting many of you at the Provincial convention July 11-14th- so please introduce yourselves.

Wellness/Sickness/Disease

• The Good Food Box Program

 
What is it? It is a box of Ontario-grown products, whenever possible, which you may purchase by ordering in advance.  Using this program will ensure you know where and how the food is produced;  support local farmers; and reduce the fossil fuels burned when food is imported.  There are different size boxes available depending if you are a family or a single person.  You pay for just the cost of the food, not the cost to collect it from the vendor - these costs are subsidized.  You order and pay in advance and pick up your box at a local drop off point, or you can have it delivered to your door for an additional fee. The Good Food Box makes top quality, fresh food available in a way that does not stigmatised people, fosters community development and promotes healthy eating.  Each food box also contains a newsletter which features recipes and nutrition information for vegetables and fruits that are in season plus food news and farmer updates.  The Good Food Box Program is run by agencies in the community. The idea is very simple. Through collective bulk buying you can save up to half off the retail value of produce. Anyone can get the Good Food Box. It is open to everyone.  The more people who take part, the better value the buyer is able to get at the Ontario Food Terminal. The program is co-ordinated by volunteers who take the order and advance payment. When the produce arrives, volunteers sort and pack it. Most locations charge $15 a box, but local program prices may vary.

What can members do?

•  Google Good Food Box+ your community name to find if a local Organization is active or
•  Check in your community with the local public heath department to find out if the program is running where you live and when the order dates are and the box costs.
• Volunteer with the Organization to box food, or make deliveries
• Promote the use of the Good Food program to your members- maybe bring in a speaker from the program in your community.

• Mental Health

         (Jane Munro)

What’s Happening at the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)?
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has launched its 10-year Anti-stigma/Anti-discrimination Initiative, Opening Minds. The initiative is the largest systematic effort to reduce the stigma of mental illness in Canadian history.

Many people living with a mental illness report that stigma and discrimination causes them more suffering than the illness itself.
Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can take many forms, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Most individuals find ways to live with their illnesses but how they are treated by others often proves to be more of a challenge than the illness itself. Stigma and discrimination are key barriers that stop people from seeking help.

Opening Minds will involve the MHCC carrying out a carefully targeted plan, based on the best available research. The plan will be evaluated over time.
In the first year, MHCC has chosen to target two specific groups:

• Youth (aged 12 to 18) - early intervention can make an enormous difference over a lifetime. For more than 70% of adults living with mental illness, symptoms developed before they were 18 years old.
• Health care professionals -  the medical front lines eg, doctors, nurses and Emergency Room receptions, are where people seeking help say they experience some of the most deeply felt stigma and discrimination.

Did You Know?

• That the Mental Health Commission of Canada released Toward Recovery and Well-Being: A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada in November 2009. This framework sets out seven goals  for WHAT a transformed mental health system should look like. 
• That 18% of Canadians ages 15-24 have mental health disorders, but only 1/5 of youth get help.
• That suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian youth and is strongly linked to mental illness and that suicide is more prevalent among seniors.
• That art therapy helps people with mental illnesses to express their emotional turmoil and distress.
• That you can purchase mental health stamps at post offices and each booklet sold generates $1 for the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. These are stamps that can be used on regular mail.
• That educational guides for seniors and their families are available from the Canadian Centre for Seniors Mental Health website http://www.ccsmh.ca/en/booklet/index.cfm
• That May is Mental Health Month.

What can members do?

• Learn More- invite a speaker from your community Mental Health organization

4.         Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health
The Foundation was formed when Canada Post adopted mental health as its cause of choice in 2007. More than $2.5 million has been raised over the past two years.

How funds are raised:

• By the sale of a special commemorative postage stamp.
• Through donations at post office counters during a fall fundraising campaign.
• By contributions from Canada Post’s employees, customers and suppliers.

Where does the money go?
Grants recipients are chosen each year across the country.  See the 2009 list on the Canada Post website www.canadapost.ca/takingsteps

What Can CWL Members Do?

• Purchase mental health stamps at post offices - each booklet sold generates $1 for the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. These are stamps that can be used on regular mail.
• Donations can be made online anytime – canadapost.ca/takingsteps

5.         National Hospice Palliative Care Week May 2-8

National Hospice Palliative Care Week is a one-week campaign that focuses on raising awareness about hospice palliative care.  It is also a time to celebrate, recognize and share the achievements of hospice palliative care throughout the nation. The theme for the 2010 campaign is “Discovering your voice”.  Many people do not understand what palliative care is and how it can benefit people. 
In the CWL Day of Peace & Hope Kit, that was sent by National to all parish presidents, under Education and Health you will find an activity card entitled Palliative Care and a suggested workshop.  Parish councils are encouraged to use an activity like this to learn more about palliative care in their community.   To learn more about the week visit:  http://www.chpca.net/events/nhpcw.html

6.         Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet

As we enter the season of spring-cleaning consider a clean-up of your medicine cabinets. 
Do you have expired medications left over from a prescription in your home?
These medications could be stolen or get into the wrong hands and be misused.  There is a growing concern by police that some young people are using prescription drugs, taken from medicine cabinets of family or friends, to get high.  Police warn us about Pharming Parties - where young people share or sell prescription drugs and where adults have often been the unwitting supplier of those drugs. 

Tips for the Safe Handling and Use of all Medication (Prescription and Over the Counter)

• Gather all medications you no longer use and take them to your local pharmacy for proper disposal
• Do not dispose of medications in the garbage or in the toilet or sink because they will seep into the ground and water supply
• Do not keep medications in the bathroom where they can be easily found and taken without notice
• Store your medications out of sight and out of reach of children
•  Keep medication in the original labelled container, unless it is organized in a day by day pill box
• Ask if medication must be stored in the refrigerator
• Ask your pharmacy if you are not sure if a medication is still safe to take
• Dispose of medications that have changed colour, smell, or taste.
• Treat medications as you would other hazardous products- because in the wrong hands they are hazardous to others. 

  
Catholic Education

7.         Support Catholic Education Week May 2-7 in your Parish!

In the 2009 annual reports, for the Education and Health committee, the majority of work performed by members was reported under Catholic Education.

 Catholic education week in May is an opportunity then for members to:

• Offer some celebration and recognition for those working daily in making Catholic schools successful - including teachers, principals, staff, volunteers, students and board members.
• Participate in local school and school board events during this week
• Celebrate the Good News at Catholic schools.  Enclosure 4-B. 
• Invite a representative from your local school board to speak on the F.A.C.E. project and find out how you too can become a Friend and Advocate of Catholic Education (FACE).  Find a link to your local board at: http://www.ocsta.on.ca/
• Choose good Catholic school board trustees in the upcoming fall municipal election or consider running yourself.  Enclosure 4-C - criteria and responsibility.
• Make sure you are identified on your property tax bill as a Catholic school supporter

8.         What is happening in our schools?
            (Sue Mullins)
The Fully Alive program has been revised and teachers are now beginning to implement the themes. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops supports this program in our Catholic Schools. Underlying the themes are Catholic doctrine. which enhances and compliments the religion program.

The themes in grades one to five are:

> Created and Loved by God
> Living in Relationship
> Created Sexual: Male and Female
> Growing in Commitment
> Living in the World

As the children progress through the program, each year offers a new learning experience and fortifies the values of the children and aims at skills and knowledge and attitudes that the children can transfer as they progress through life and make moral decisions.

ICE – Institute for Catholic Education (http://www.iceont.ca/)

A new module for grade ten - Stewards of the Gift.is presently being implemented This module for Civics classes can be read on the ICE website . It is comprehensive and opens the students up to their gifts and handling the gifts given to us by God.

Environment

9.         Take Action to Save the Environment
            (Mary Carlin)
When you take action to save the environment you are not only benefiting the Earth you are saving yourself, your family , friends and community.All of us can reduce waste, save resources and prevent pollution.

For further information on the environment go to Environment Canada Site:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/

10.       Walkerton Water Tragedy May 2000
Many will remember that just ten years ago next month the drinking water in Walkerton Ontario became infected with E Coli from a farm run off into local wells- 2500 people became ill and 7 died.  At the Provincial convention that year members created a curtain of paper tears in remembrance.  A public enquiry was held and 93 recommendations were made for improvements to Ontario’s water delivery system.
To read more about the recommendations visit:
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~gwater/index_files/Walkerton96.pdf

11.       “If you want to cultivate (world)  peace, protect creation.”  This was the subject of Pope Benedict XVI’s January 2010 World Day of Peace message.  He said the environment is God’s gift to all people but that the current pace of development and exploitation is endangering the supply of certain resources for present and future generations.  He challenges us to examine our own life style of consumption and waste because we are all responsible for the protection and care of the environment. 
Read the Pope’s full message at http://www.vatican.va 
   

Education and Health Directive # 3 - 15 Jan. 2010

Greetings to all Arch/Diocesan Education and Health Chairs
I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year and look forward to reading your annual reports on all the good work done under this committee for 2009.  Welcome to our newest diocesan Education and Health chair Michelle Morrow who has joined the Ottawa Archdiocesan executive. 

1.         Mental Health
(Jane Munro)
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has implemented officially last November a ground-breaking national research project in five cities to find the best way to provide housing and services to people who are living with mental illness and homelessness.

Using a ‘Housing First’ approach, the research project focuses on first providing people who are homeless with a place to live, and then the other assistance and services they require. The goal is to see if this approach is better than traditional ‘care as usual.’ “The idea behind housing services is to provide people with a safe place to live and then offer choice about how they want to deal with their addiction and mental health problems.”

The five-year project will run until 2013 in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and Moncton.  Each city has a specific project: Toronto’s project will provide specialized services for people from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds. Moncton will examine the shortages of services for Anglophones and Francophones, and Montreal will focus on the outcomes related to social housing, as well as helping people to return to the workplace. In Winnipeg, the needs of urban Aboriginal people will be highlighted, while Vancouver’s project is aimed at people with addictions and substance abuse problems. Complete information can be found at the Mental Health Commission of Canada Website http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca , At Home/Chez Moi page.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Find out about programs in your area and pass on the information.
• Learn More- May is Mental Health Month – read the award winning series of articles written in the Toronto Star in May 2009 at: http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/about_mental_health.asp?cID=131002

• Wellness/Sickness/Disease

(Bev Weiler)

Travel, Health Care and You- Did you know that when travelling outside of Canada you are entitled to very limited health care funding through OHIP.  For this reason it is vital that you purchase additional coverage.  Be smart- we never know when we might get sick or in an accident.  For information on what is covered you can visit www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/trave.aspx

This is a different flu season- Have you had your shots?  That’s right-shots.  It is important to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot.  Be smart and protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s not too late!  If you haven’t had your shots yet speak with your physician or your local health unit.  Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Be sure to wash your hands frequently, keep them away from your face and if you are not feeling well-STAY HOME- and help prevent the spread of viruses.

It’s Your Health- A wonderful feature on the Health Canada website www.hc-sc.gc.ca has numerous articles dealing with issues from Bottled Water Safety to Dampness, Mould and Indoor Air to Second Hand Smoke.  Keep informed and use the resources available.

3.         Embryonic Stem Cell Research

In the last directive Mary Carlin provided councils with a suggested format for a letter that could be used to write to charities asking about their policy on the use of embryonic stem cells in their research.  Marion Leifso, president of Sacred Heart council in Walkerton (Hamilton diocese) has written to 15 charities and received answers from 5. See enclosure b for the 5 responses.  If your council has also received replies please share your responses with me and I will pass them along.  Working together we could create a comprehensive list that would be a reference for all councils in Ontario.

4.         Catholic Education
(Suzanne Mullins)

Ontario Government
The legislature is presently recessed and will resume in mid- February. One of the key issues they will be looking at is the budget and where they can make further cuts. They have promised that they will not touch Education and Health. We must carefully monitor what their decisions are and take action if they are going to suggest any major changes.

Lent

Prepare now to get involved with the children and teachers in our schools.   The material that the WICC (Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada) has prepared for World Day of Prayer is an excellent resource. http://www.wicc.org/programsevents/World_Day_of_Prayer/WDP_2010.html
They have a program that can be used with the children. Permission from the principal of the school will have to be obtained. This provides an opportunity that will fit into the curriculum in the areas of Drama and Religious education. The program is set up so that all levels in the elementary schools can participate.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Form a committee involving CWL members, teachers, and your pastor in order to provide the best experience for the children.

Literacy

The Ministry of Education has placed millions of books in our school libraries. It is their way of acknowledging that literacy is a vital component of our child’s learning curve. Volunteers are needed to read materials to our children to open up new vistas of learning and to instil a love of reading and learning as life long skills. Many schools could use a RED program (Read Each Day) or Reading Buddies for one on one reading with a child.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Contact your local school to find out where you can help in the reading program.

Heads Up!   MAY 2-7 2010 is Catholic Education Week

The Five Sub Themes for the 2010 Catholic Education Week are: 

• Hope in our Hearts
• Hope in our Homes
• Hope in our Schools
• Hope in our Communities
• Hope in our World

This theme of Hope fits well with our national theme of Women of Peace and Hope.  Now is the time to plan how your council will show your support for your local schools and teachers during this week.

5.     Continuing Education-Adult Faith Development

Members are encouraged to continue their own education and in particular education in the Catholic faith.  Formal education in our faith ended, for many of us, in grade school unless we were lucky enough to attend a Catholic high school.  As adults when we want to improve our knowledge on a subject we read books; take a course at a local facility; take a correspondence course; or volunteer with a group working in that area to learn by doing.  The same applies to learning about your faith.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Ask your pastor- many parishes have a library that offers faith-based reading material; some offer adult education programs in the parish during Advent of Lent; some run RCIA programs and are looking for volunteers to talk about their faith with those thinking of joining the church, which is a great way to learn, and some run bible study courses.

• Ask your diocesan office – many offer Adult Faith development courses for those serving in ministry but also for those who are looking to learn more about their faith.  See enclosure c for information on diocesan programs

• Take a distance education course - St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, offers distance education programs where you can learn from your home.  See enclosure c for information on these programs.

• Subscribe to CELEBRATE - a pastoral magazine with something for those involved in liturgy; in teaching youth about their faith as well as those just wanting to learn more for themselves.  See enclosure c for information on this publication.

• Organize a day of reflection/retreat - ask your council to bring in a speaker on a faith topic of interest to the members.  Don’t forget to invite the other women in the parish to the day.

• Organize a Bible Study group in your council - members of your council could choose the subject of Women of the Bible for their theme, which would fit nicely into the national theme Women of Peace and Hope. See enclosure c for information on how the Catholic Biblical Association of Canada can help you do this.

• The CWL National Bursary Fund

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Directive # 2 30 September 2009

Chair: Mary Lou Watson

1. Environmental Issues

(Mary Carlin)

In as much as we are being warned about the issue of Global Warming and the dangers thereof, the following two websites offer a plan of action that we can take:

www.forestethics.ca
www.yourvotetheirfuture.ca

What can you do?

• Write to your provincial and federal members of parliament to let them know your position on their actions or non actions to support a healthy environment.
• Use refillable containers and save adding thousands of plastic bottles (that take up to 50 years to breakdown) to landfill sites every month while protecting our water sources and supply from both pollution and mass removal by the bottled water trade.
• Use reusable cloth bags for shopping. The phenomenal reduction of the use of plastic shopping bags over a short period of time cannot entirely be credited to our Catholic Woman's League Resolution ON 06.05 but it is certainly rewarding to know that we are contributing to saving the environment.

2. Reducing the Use of Disposable Products

(Mary Carlin)

Resolution ON.09.04 presented by Hamilton Diocese, passed at the Ontario Provincial convention was presented to the national resolutions committee where it was turned over the chair of E&H for the education of members.

What can you do?

• Take an active role in minimizing or eliminating personal use of disposable (use once and throw away) products in your home and shopping activities.
• Promote the use of reusable products in your homes, communities and work places.
• Be aware that Waste Reduction Week is October 19 - 25, 2009. Resource material is available at: www.wrwcanada.com/
• Plan a parish activity during Waste Reduction Week.
• Partner with a local school on an activity to increase awareness.
• Partner with other community organizations to support the reduction of disposable products which are filling up our landfill sites at an alarming rate.
• Contact municipal councils and request more public awareness programs promoting the use of recyclables versus disposables from local government.
• Report on your activities in the national e-newsletter.

3. Stem Cell Research

(Mary Carlin)

Contrary to popular belief the Catholic Church is not against all Stem Cell research but instead is against a sub component of that research that uses embryonic stem cells - cells taken from living embryos - killing them in the process. For detailed information on this subject you may listen to Father Adam Voisin's excellent presentation to the Hamilton Diocesan convention in May 2009 by visiting his website at www.fathervoisin.com and clicking on the presentation. Resolution ON.07.03 Withholding of Funds for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research presented by the Ottawa diocese and passed at the Ontario provincial convention requested all councils to contact organizations, prior to donating funds, to request information on their research practices. Recently the Catholic Register printed an article from Vatican City stating that Italian researchers have developed a method to repair a damaged heart using adult stem cells, and confirmed that the adult stem cells were more therapeutically useful than embryonic stem cells. The adult stem cell is already prepared to differentiate in the tissue we want to repair.

4. Catholic Education

(Suzanne Mullins)

How can your council play a part in the schools?

It is important that your council first seek the permission of the principal in each school for any projects that you wish to undertake in the school or with the students and be prepared to answer the principal's questions about your project.

• Missions in Canada have produced a colouring book titled, John and Emily Visit Missions in Canada, which takes the children to a mission site where they are exposed to what their uncle does as a missionary. This is an educational experience for the children as they progress through the book and learn the needs here in Canada. All teachers can order the booklet for their class at no charge. The anticipated group is Grade 5 students and it is best that it is worked into one grade level so the children will not be overexposed to the material. The women from your group may work together presenting the material. The book may be broken into five segments one for each day of the school week.

Teachers may order the book through: Catholic Missions in Canada

Make sure, before you go to the school that you have all the materials that you need for your project such as pencils, erasers, and colouring pencils.

• The children are exposed to the rosary in October and May. Several children are given rosaries as gifts when they receive First Holy Communion. The rosary if not used frequently is quickly forgotten. Your members could undertake to introduce the rosary to children in Grade 2. Five lessons may be developed and members may again go into the schools for a week.

The five lessons could be:

Who is Mary?

Prayers of the Rosary

What is a Rosary and how do we say it?

Mysteries of the Rosary

Putting it into Practice

 The lessons should not be more than a half hour long. Each child should have a rosary. There are many booklets on saying the rosary but many children will need guidance to read the material. Please use other resources such as books, pictures, videos, to capture their interest. An excellent resource that could be given to the children is a pocket guide that may be ordered through the Knights of Columbus entitled A Guide to Praying the Rosary.

Contact the K of C: www.kofc.org order # 4772

• School Supplies: A report was recently made on Global News that children are in need of materials in order to complete assignments and homework. Children are experiencing stress due to the demand on them and not having the necessary items to produce results. Make a point to inquire at your schools if there is a need and reach out and help a child succeed.

5.     Stop Cyber Bullying

(Suzanne Mullins)

Many of our students are victims of this abuse. It can take the form of threats, letters and hate messages. If your child spends time on the internet and you see signs of reluctance to attend school, or to leave your home then be alert and question why. Further information about this issue is available from: www.stopcyberbullying.org

6. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Canadian Cancer Society encourages you to take a bit of time out of your busy day, to learn how to reduce your cancer risk. Did you know that one in three people this year will be diagnosed with cancer and that at least 50% of those cancer diagnoses can be prevented through health living and policies that protect the public? Learn how you can reduce your risk of developing cancer with The Canadian Cancer Society's Seven Steps to Healthy living in enclosure d. For more info check out the Canadian Cancer website: www.cancer.ca/ontario.aspx?sc_lang=en

7. World Teacher's Day (WTD) October 5, 2009

The following is an excerpt from the book mark prepared by Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) to commemorate WTD 2009.

"While the teaching of formal Religious Education classes in Catholic schools is one of the hallmarks of Ontario's Catholic school system, the scope and sequence of those courses goes far beyond the mere transmission of facts regarding the Roman Catholic faith. The ultimate goal of these courses and of our Catholic system is to create formed and informed Catholic People. Because of the unique nature of this educational endeavour and the complexities involved in creating a school ethos that reflects the living out of this curriculum infusion, the Ontario English Catholic Teacher's Association works to support its members to fulfill their mandate as Catholic teachers in the province of Ontario. It is our hope and fervent belief that our students are prepared to go into the world with a lived faith that will further the realization of the Reign of God on earth. It is through the infusion of Catholicity into all aspects of the school - into and beyond the curricular life of each student that the goals of Catholic education are brought to bear fruit."

What can you do?

When teachers were asked in a survey by CBC radio, prior to Christmas, what gifts they most appreciated receiving the majority response was - a written thank you note from students or parents.

Thank a teacher this month or anytime and you will make their day!

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Greetings to all Arch/diocesan Education and Health chairs

This will be my first opportunity to work on the Education and Health (E&H) committee at any level and I know it will be a steep learning curve for me as I am sure it has been for many of you.  My only professional experience in Catholic education is that I graduated from the Catholic school system (long before full funding) and in the health field my experience comes from all those summers working at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto to pay for the cost of books, uniforms and tuition for my Catholic high school education.  However, I am blessed to have four very experienced members to assist me in covering the many important issues under this committee. I have enclosed (a) a review of the responsibilities under this committee along with an introduction of the provincial committee members who will take the lead on each for the next two years.  I am looking forward to learning more about E&H issues and to hearing from you as you address these in your diocese.  Please remember to include me in your distribution when you send out your directives to the parish level. 

"Keep Our Catholic Schools" and "Keep Our Schools Catholic"

For those of you who were at the 62^nd annual provincial convention in Midland this will just be a brief overview of our keynote speaker and panel discussion on Catholic Education in Ontario .  Bishop Paul Durocher, outlined the history of the struggles faced by publicly funded Catholic education in the province since confederation.  He responded to several issues usually raised by groups opposed to public funding and he stated that the OCCB supports public funding for other faith based schools as the religious education of children is a parental right.  He warned members that they should expect that the full funding of Catholic schools will be an issue in the next provincial election and they should be prepared to fight to "Keep Our Catholic Schools".  He also discussed the current challenges of "Keeping Our Schools Catholic" and integrating the Catholic vision into existing school programs.   He urged members to work with the schools in a positive way to support and promote Catholic education.   A panel composed of Sister Joan Cronin g.s.i.c Executive Director Institute for Catholic Education; Mr. Michael O'Keefe, Director of Education, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board; Mr. Pat Bullock, Chaplain, St Theresa's High School, Midland; Rebecca Ryall, graduate of the Catholic school system and currently studying journalism at Carleton University, led the assembly in a discussion on the challenges and opportunities in Catholic education today. The panel gave high praise to the pamphlet Catholic Education in Ontario - Challenging Times prepared by the Ontario Council of the Catholic Women's League, which has been used and widely distributed by school boards across the province. A copy of this pamphlet (e) is enclosed for all chairs and is also available on the Ontario website at: http://www.cwl.on.ca/Education%20br.pdf.   This may be reproduced for local distribution.

The panel members and Bishop Durocher both emphasized the importance of the family, the parish and the school working together to provide a good Catholic education to students attending Catholic schools and suggested several ways members could help.

 What can you do?

• Celebrate Catholic Education Week in your parish each year in May
• Provide recognition/celebrations for teachers & staff of local schools
• Volunteer at the school (breakfast program, preparing school liturgies, reading to kids, teaching prayers)
• Join the school council
• Voice your opinion on the benefit of publicly funded  Catholic schools to your MPP
• Consider running for school trustee
• Support students through bursaries, awards
• Be a mentor and share your faith with students and teachers - "be the face of Jesus with skin on"

The Coady International Institute

This is a national voluntary fund which provides annual scholarships to women community workers attending the institute's Diploma program in Community Based Development.  As graduates they return to their country with skills in economic and social development which allow them to help their communities and country to improve their lives.  Parish councils are encouraged to continue their annual donations to this fund.  For more information I have enclosed for all chairs the brochure (g) which is available free from national office.

 May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide us in our efforts.

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Report To Convention July 2009
Chair: Geraldine Canning

Madam President and Sisters in the League
 
Over the last two years, my goals as Education and Health Standing Committee Chair were to provide information and resources to all arch/diocesan Education and Health chairs. Councils were encouraged to select issues important to their members and work on them.

Promotions:
Strongly supported Catholic schools in our province and promoted the brochure "Catholic Education in Ontario Challenging Times" which includes details pertaining to Catholic Education from its history, distinctiveness, major issues and action plans. We have a tradition of teaching, learning and sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ which is needed more than ever in today's secular society. Catholic Education is being challenged today.  We must be vigilant, keep supporting and promoting Catholic Education in Ontario.

Promoted Palliative care and end-of-life issues. An exciting new initiative by National Council was to pray for peace and hope on the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel with a focus on Palliative Care. Members were asked to collect information regarding a variety of issues/aspects related to palliative care in their areas. The responses were compiled and forwarded to national chairperson of education and health. An environics poll found Canadians are split on the question of palliative care versus euthanasia. Learn more about hospice palliative care in your communities.  Become involved and make your views known to members of parliament. Responsibilities for these issues do not just lie with the federal, provincial and municipal government but with each of us as members of society.  We must do our part in advocating for the dying and those who do not have a voice.  We must continue to ensure every Canadian has access to quality end-of-life care.
 
The Catholic Women's League has been one of the most important organizations which have supported MaterCare International's success. Since the National Council passed Resolution 1998.07 at its annual convention, the support of the League has grown at every level. MaterCare is pleased to announce the completion of the maternal health projects in Ghana, West Africa. Since l975 programs have been developed in Ghana to reduce the tragically high levels of maternal mortality and morbidity and to treat mothers suffering from obstetric fistula. Similar projects are being established in Kenya and Rwanda. There is a great need for treatment in Asia as well.
This is a way that you can help MaterCare - convert your HBC points to MaterCare Airmiles - go to www.Zellers.com - click on HBC Rewards under "Services at Zellers" then under "Using your points" click on "redeem for AirMiles" there choose either "start" "or "one time redemption" - The MaterCare AirMiles number is 8007 729 6378 and convert your HBC points to MaterCare Airmiles.
 
In your registration package you will find the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth. The joint statement was developed by a national partnership of organizations concerned with the well-being of children and their families.
 
National News:
Health Canada to Test Taps for Contaminants. The federal government is undertaking a survey to measure the level of contaminants in tap water across Canada. The survey focuses on newly emerging disinfection by-products as well as other potential contaminants such as pharmaceuticals. The data will be used to update guidelines for water quality in Canada and set priorities for reducing exposure to contaminants. Visit the web site http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/tap_water-eau_robinet-eng.php The results of the entire survey are expected to be released in 2011.

The National Bursary Fund was established in 1990 to assist those who wish to pursue studies in adult faith formation and/or youth ministry.
We congratulate the recipients from Ontario:
Brenda Cavallin, Sault Ste. Marie Diocese
Patricia Fleming, Peterborough Diocese
Bernardine Keletaars, London Diocese
Marie-Theresa Lamphier, London Diocese
Stephanie Manarin, Sault Ste. Marie Diocese
Kathleen McLean, London Diocese
Susan McMath, London Diocese
Theresa Bujtas, St. Catharines Diocese
 
Please continue to encourage the use of CWL Day of Peace and Hope Activities Kit. Feedback is important.

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