Catholic Women's League -

Shari Guinta
President
email: cwlont@cwl.on.ca

President's Message

Shari was born in Nova Scotia and transplanted to Toronto in 1971 to attend college. She now lives in Waterloo, with her husband of 34 years and they have two children.

Shari has been a member of the Catholic Women's League since 1986, serving as recording secretary and president in 1990/1991 for Sacred Heart parish, Kitchener. Following her parish presidency, she went on to the diocesan executive and has served as Convener of Community Life, Education, Christian Family Life, Spiritual Development and Organization, and became diocesan president in 2001 for the Hamilton Diocese. She served as a diocesan officer for 14 years and while president, initiated the first diocesan Vocations Mass in 2002.

In July 2003 Shari was elected to Provincial Council as treasurer and in 2005 became 2nd Vice President, chairing the Standing Committee of Spiritual Development. She was awarded her Life Membership in the League in May, 2005.

In her parish, St. Michael's Waterloo, Shari is a Minister of the Word and is a group facilitator, preparing grade 8 students for confirmation.

Shari is a member of the Kitchener Waterloo Serra Club, an organization that prays for and fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Professionally, Shari owns a property management business, managing residential and commercial properties, specializing in non-profit housing. She is Chair of Region of Waterloo Community Housing Inc., and in 2002 was named to the Mayor's Task Force on Housing for the City of Waterloo.
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Bishop Bishop Anthony Tonnos
Spiritual Advisor

Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos, D.D.

Bishop Tonnos was born in Port Colbourne, Ontario. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Catharines on May 27, 1961. On July 12, 1983, he was ordained to the episcopate in St. Catharines, Ontario by Bishop Thomas J. McCarthy and on June 18, 1984 installed as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton. Bishop Tonnos has also served on many committees for both the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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Marlene Pavletic
President-Elect / Organization

Marlene was born in Kenora, attended high school in Sioux Lookout, graduated from St Joseph ’s General Hospital School of Nursing in Thunder Bay as a Reg. Nurse and later obtained a BA (Psychology, Sociology) from Lakehead University . A career in health care led to positions as staff nurse, team leader, Director of Nursing and Director of Strategic Planning at the Geraldton District Hospital .
Since retiring in 2002, Marlene and husband Robert live in Thunder Bay and have two adult sons. She is a member of St. Margaret’s Parish Council.
Marlene joined the League in 1989 when CWL came to St. Theresa’s Parish in Geraldton. She served various committees on parish/diocesan councils; was a Project Grow animator, Diocesan Convention Convenor, Laypresider leader and was honored to serve as Hearst Diocesan President (1997).
Marlene was appointed Provincial Organization Chairperson (2003). She was elected Provincial Education and Health Chairperson (2005) and 2nd Vice President/Resolutions Chairperson (2007). Marlene has experience on various task group and planning committees. Currently, she is a Northern Diabetes Health Network Board member.
Marlene is interested in social issues at home and abroad. Her interest in people has led her to third world missions. She is most grateful for the gift of the League in her life.
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Betty Colenari
1st Vice-President / Spiritual Development

Betty has been a member of the Catholic Women's League for 22 years.

Not long after becoming a member, she was elected as Recording Secretary followed by Spiritual Development Convener before serving as President on the parish level.

On the Diocesan Council she served as Recording Secretary, Christian Family Life, Spiritual Development, Organization Standing Committees. She was elected Diocesan President for the term 2001 to 2003. For the term 2003–2005, she was appointed Newsletter Editor for the Provincial Newsletter, Trillium News and Views. Betty has been the co-convener for diocesan and provincial conventions.

In her home parish of St. Thomas More, Niagara Falls, she serves in the music ministry as Cantor and a member of the Bell Choir; convener of special events; decorates the church and has been the coordinator of the Christmas Basket Program for the past 25 years. She has been married for 24 years and has two awesome sons, Nicholas and Christopher.

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Pauline Krupa
2nd Vice President / Resolutions

Building a Relationship with Your MPP

Checklist for Proposed Resolutions

Pauline was born, raised and educated in Fort William, now Thunder Bay. Following high school graduation and a short stint working in a bank she entered Lakehead Teacher's College. She began her career in a number of communities around North Western Ontario settling back home in 1974. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. Presently she is a Special Education teacher at Our Lady of Charity School. Outside of school she putters around her home and perennial gardens. Her son Daniel, wife Shan and grand-daughter Joelle are the joys of her life. Basket weaving is her all time favourite way to relax. Over the years Pauline has volunteered her time in many community, diocesan and parish groups. Of special note is the time spent as Soccer Northwest's representative to the Ontario Soccer Association and Chairperson of the Thunder Bay Diocesan Youth Advisory Board. Pauline is a charter member of St Peter's Parish Council. Over the past 20 years she held a number of executive positions at parish level. As a member of Thunder Bay Diocesan Council she held positions of Spiritual Development, Recording Secretary, President and Past-President and Historian. She co-chaired the 2003 Provincial Convention held in Thunder Bay, organized a Women's Retreat and Pilgrimage of Faith as part of Diocesan Council's Millennium project.
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Verna Lynn Bergeron
Recording Secretary

Vera Lynn was born and raised in Kapuskasing, a little town in northern Ontario , known as the model town of the north. Her dad was French Canadian, her mother was Dutch American and she is the younger of 2 children. After graduating from High School with honours from a 5-year Business and Commerce course, she chose to begin working in the local pulp and paper mill where for the past thirty-eight years she has been employed as a stenographer/clerk-typist, and is looking forward to retirement in 2 years! Three years ago she married René, a wonderful man who loves her despite the challenges that cooking presents for her! René has 2 beautiful children and a granddaughter, which means Verna Lynn does too!

Verna Lynn believes her faith became a living faith when she experienced a personal encounter with Jesus through living a Cursillo in the 1980s. In 1991, she began volunteering in the office at her church, and began the active faith journey that she still travels on today. Being diagnosed with cancer in 1992, made her realize that she hadn’t done anything meaningful with her life, and wanted to make a difference. Her faith grew as she became immersed in scripture, the sacraments, and religious courses that were being offered at her church. Over time, she became a lector, a Minister of the Bread and Cup, a Lay Presider, and co-chair of the parish pastoral council.

In 2000, when she learned that The Catholic Women’s League was a spiritual organization, with the Blessed Mother Mary guiding it as Our Lady of Good Counsel, she decided to become a member with the belief that Mary would lead her into a closer relationship with her Son. Verna Lynn held a three-year term as parish president, diocesan president-elect, diocesan president, and was recently elected as Provincial recording secretary.

Through The Catholic Women’s League, Verna Lynn has found a place of belonging; a place to share her faith with women from across Canada ; a place that nourishes her spiritually; and a place that allows her to fulfill her need to make a difference. She feels this is where God has called her to serve His people. Verna Lynn feels so very privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve on Provincial Council, and she will walk with all, women of peace and hope, as together they fulfill God’s plan for their lives in this world!
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Mary Van Dyk
Corresponding Secretary

Mary was born and raised in the farming community of Albion township moving to Waterloo when she married John in January 1971. They have 2 children, Michelle married to Jason Belanger living and working in Ottawa and Paul married to Sarah who has their pride and joy Henry who was born in 2006 and lives in London, Ontario .

Mary joined St. Michael’s Catholic Women’s League in Waterloo in the spring of 1973 and served in almost all positions reaching president in 1983 exactly 20 years after her mother was president of their parish in Albion. She was elected to Hamilton Diocesan executive in 1985 and held the positions of Resolutions & Legislation (they were combined then), Education, Recording Secretary, Communications, Spiritual Development, and Organization before becoming Diocesan President in May of 1997. Mary also served two terms as Provincial Newsletter Editor.

Mary works in property management as the office manager and previously ran a catering business with John for 12 years before retiring from that in 2002.

For hobbies, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, reading, scrap booking, card making, writing histories of family as well as those of parish and Catholic Women’s League councils.

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Glenda Klein
Treasurer
Directives

Glenda joined the League in 1970 in Brechin. She has been a member in five parishes and four dioceses and has continuously held one or more executive positions since 1978 with 37 years of combined membership and service.

Glenda has held numerous positions with the following being only a few examples:
Financial Advisor, Fieldworker, Leadership course facilitator; on diocesan, archdiocesan, provincial and national convention committees; and member of parish and archdiocesan resolutions committees.

Glenda was born the sixth of seven children on a farm near Maxville. She graduated from high school in Oakville in 1961. She began her university studies the next year at Queen's University. She is married to Wayne and has three children and two granddaughters. Glenda held several positions in banking and manufacturing. She retired from her position as church comptroller and cemetery administrator in 1996. After many moves, Glenda retired to Lindsay in 1998 where she ministers in St. Mary's Parish. She received her B.A. from the University of Waterloo in 2000 with most of her courses in psychology and religious studies. She is currently a member of diocesan finance committee. She is secretary-treasurer for the Central Food Cupboard, a coalition of six local churches.
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Margaret Ann Jacobs
Past President
Directives

Margaret Ann is a retired teacher who lives in Elmvale; married to Michael, who currently publishes a local newspaper from their home; Mother of three adult sons and grandmother to Ethan and Sean who live in Cochrane, Alberta and Sopie and Maize who live in Barrie.

Over the years Margaret Ann has been actively involved in most church and community groups. More recently volunteer work includes nursing home visitation, Birthright, Out of the Cold, volunteer at Blood Donor Clinics and of course helping with the newspaper.

As a committed member of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, she has served in most positions at various levels. After serving as president for the Toronto Archdiocesan Council, she went on to serve as spiritual development, education and health, resolutions and organization chairperson, then president and currently past president for the province of Ontario.

Margaret Ann has enjoyed presenting leadership courses and other workshops for the League and truly welcomed the opportunity to participate in many of the CORE (Catholic Office of Religious Education) sponsored workshops and conferences. She has a passion for liturgy and pursues opportunities to develop her spirituality and journey in faith with other Christians.

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Wilhemina (Willy) Wicha
Community Life Chair
Directives

Born in The Netherlands the 6th of seven children Willy came to

Canada

when she was 22yrs old, she met her now husband Richard, and got married 45 years ago. They are blessed with three daughters and one granddaughter.

Willy became a CWL member in 1978, at the inception of her new parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Newcastle . She has served as spiritual life chair, treasurer, resolutions and legislation chair. She was elected president of her parish council in 2000. From there she served at diocesan council for 10 years, two terms as Treasurer, served as Christian family life chair, newsletter editor, pres-elect/organization and it seems that now, her CWL career is only just beginning. She still holds the past president position at diocesan council at this time, as well as serves as treasurer for her parish. She also served as counsellor for CGL in her parish for 2 years. Willy is the proud recipient of the Maple Leaf Pin. In her parish she served for 30 + years in the music ministry/produced a weekly church bulletin for quite a few years and was a reader of the Word at Mass. For many years she and her husband were active at the ‘social committee’ in their parish. In July 2009 she was elected as chair person for The Ontario Provincial Council and named by president Shari Guinta to be the chair for the Community Life portfolio.

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Annette Kelly
Christian Family Life Chair
Directives

Annette Kelly lives in Timmins with her husband of 37 years, Philippe. Their five daughters are scattered around the country – Ottawa , Kingston , Chatham , Kelowna , B.C. and Seattle, WASH. Two young granddaughters in Kingston are reason to drive the long journey south as often as possible.
Fortunate to be able to stay at home while her children were growing up, Annette has volunteered as a La Leche League leader from 1980-1992, supporting and teaching breast feeding mothers, and as a Lamaze instructor for a number of years, preparing couples for childbirth. Phil & Annette were trained as a teacher-couple in 1976 for Serena, a Natural Family Planning organization teaching the Sympto-Thermal method, until this year when they have recently retired. Active in the local Campaign Life Coalition pro-life group, Annette served as President for a number of years, and promoted and billeted speakers such as Marilyn Bergeron, Molly Kelly, Kathleen Ross, and numerous young people from the Chastity Challenge teams, who had opportunities to speak to her own children on a one-to-one basis.

Annette joined C.W.L. in 1989, and her first function was attending the Provincial Convention held in Timmins that July, along with her mother, Lillian Belliveau, who is a life member from Thunder Bay diocese. A member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish Council, Annette has been active in almost all the Executive positions. She has given the Leadership Training and Public Speaking Course to members, and continues to encourage and promote this effective tool to parishes.
Conventions continue to be a tremendous source of knowledge about the league and its members, which always makes her proud to be a C.W.L. member. The resolutions dialogue is especially interesting and thought provoking.
Annette’s is to continue to promote leadership training in order to empower Catholic women.

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Geraldine Canning
Communications Chair
Directives

Geraldine was born in Escott and attended St. Brendan’s Church in Rockport. She is a widow and has two adult sons Christopher and Gregory and a granddaughter Emma. A member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Women’s League, Smiths Falls for 27 years. Through the example of her mother, Geraldine has served the League in many executive positions at the parish and archdiocesan level. She has served on the Provincial Council as Legislation Chairperson and Education and Health Chairperson .

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Mary Lou Watson
Education Health Chair
Directives

Catholic Education Pamphlet

Mary Lou grew up in the village of Swansea, now Toronto. She joined the Navy after high school and served in Halifax and Esquimalt as a radio operator. She married, had two daughters, transferred to public service, and retired in March 2007. Mary Lou joined The Catholic Women's League of Canada in 1985 at Divine Infant parish in Orleans, just east of Ottawa. Since then she has served on the executive of two parish councils, 8 years on the Ottawa Archdiocesan council and served on the Provincial council as Corresponding Secretary and Communications Chair. Mary Lou now lives in the beautiful city of Owen Sound, where she is a member of St Mary's and the Missions, and is happy to be closer to her family and 7 grandchildren. She has a keen interest in development programs for members and has facilitated various workshops for league development days, the Public Speaking and Leadership course and was an animator for Project Grow.
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Anne Madden
Legislation Chair
Directives

Anne is currently working as the Regional Improvement Coordinator in the Oncology Department at overseeing the symptom management collection for Cancer Care She also works part-time as a registered nurse in the Urgent Care Centre of Hotel Dieu Hospital and casual in the emergency department at Kingston General Hospital .

She lives on a farm in Burridge ; is Married to Jim, who owns and operates a tree service and farm ;is Mother of eleven children, six girls and five boys and is
Grandmother to three beautiful girls.

Anne has been active in the Parent Council at Edwards Elementary School Westport for twenty-four years. She is also currently the parent representative for LeedsCounty on the Parent Involvement Committee ( PIC at the Board Office in Kemptville

She has always been an active member of her parish and previously served as the Parish Council Representative on the Diocesan Pastoral Council, and a religious education teacher after Mass. Anne is currently a lector at Mass.

Anne joined the Catholic Women’s League as a new bride and member of her parish. She has proudly served for twenty-eight years. Anne served on the Kingston Archdiocesan council executive as Organization Chair, Christian Family Life Chair , Education and Health Chairperson for one and a half terms, and Archdiocesan President . She is now Past President of Kingston and newly elected to the Provincial Council as chair of legislation.

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Suzanne Mullins
Newsletter Editor

Trillium News and Views

Suzanne was born and raised in a small village on the Ottawa River called
Braeside. It was there under her mother's and grandmother's wings that she
became familiar with the term " CWL ". She has been married for 38 years to
Blaine, who is retired. Her two daughters, Sonia and Tania have persued
careers in management. Their love, understanding and frequent involvement
in various activities have been an inspiration and support system which she
is truly thankful for as they journey together. During her years in the Catholic Women's League, she has held all positions at the parish level except treasurer and at the Diosecan level she has been chairperson of: Health and Education, Christian Family Life, Spiritual
Development, Organization/President -Elect and President of the Pembroke Diosecan Council. She was educated in local schools and from there she went on to Teacher'sCollege where she graduated in Ottawa in 1967. She has taught all grades and has held positions in the Library and French department. Before retiring she took on the challenges of Principal's Designate and SPAT, specializing in curriculum development for the Board. She has her Honours Degree in English from Carleton University and a Specialist in Primary Education and Religion. At Queen's University, she also completed her Principal's qualifications. Retirement came in 2000, but she has returned each year to complete long term positions.
The CWL has provided her with the wonderful opportunity to meet a wide variety of women and men who have all in some way influenced her personal and spiritual life. The greatest gift that she has received is the leadership skills which are brought to the many areas that she dabbles in including education, seniors, church council, ministries and community organizations.
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Monique Ingram Alexandria
Cornwall Diocesan President

Reports

Born and educated in Vankleek-Hill, Ontario, Monique worked as a supply teacher, pab-technician and head supervisor for K-Mart. Now she is very active in her parish as a member of the Parish Council, usher, lector and sacristan. Monique has been a member of the Catholic Women's League for 29 years and has held the position as parish president, diocesan Spiritual Development chairperson, president-elect and now president. She is married to Fred for 47 years and they have two children , four grandchildren and two great grand children. Monique is proud to be a member of the League and is looking forward to representing the Alexandria- Cornwall diocese for the next two years.

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Mary Jane Yaeger
Hamilton Diocesan President

Reports

Mary Jane was born and raised in Elmira, Ontario and married Robert, in 1973.

She has been a member of the league since 1994. As a member of St. Teresa of Avila parish council in Elmira she served as President, Organization and Social Convenor and as Regional Chairwoman and Secretary for the Kitchener Region.

Mary Jane served on the Diocesan Level as chair of Resolutions, Education & Health, Spiritual Development and Organization.

She has presented the Leadership Workshop and assisted with the Healing Waters Workshop in the Hamilton Diocese and assisted with an Organization Workshop at the Provincial Convention in 2008.

Mary Jane serves her parish as Eucharistic Minister, Hospitality Minister and has served on Parish Council and taught Sunday school.

In her “other life” she is the Office Supervisor at Elmira District Secondary School where she has been working since 1971.

Mary Jane and her husband own a “cabin in the woods’ on Manitoulin Island where they escape whenever they can.
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Genevieve Sexton
Hearst Diocesan President

Reports

Genevieve was born, raised and educated in a small town on the east coast of Newfoundland . In 1989 she moved to Longlac where she joined the League and served as treasurer on the parish executive. Genevieve moved to Geraldton and served as Christian Family Life Chairperson and Parish President. She was President-elect and Organization for the Hearst Diocesan Council from 2006-2008 and currently holds the position as Diocesan President.

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Carol Richer Carol Richer
Kingston Diocesan President

Reports

A member of the CWL for over 40 years, Carol has held an Executive position at either the Parish Council or Diocesan level in all but six of those years. She has held all positions at the Parish level at least once and served as President of the St. Mary’s, St. Cecilia’s Parish Council for 3 consecutive terms. On the Diocesan level, she served as Recording Secretary, 1st Vice President and Chairperson of the Organization Standing Committee, and is currently President of the Kingston Archdiocesan Council.

Born and raised in the Windsor, Ontario area, she married Murray in 1960. He was then in the RCAF, and they set out on their “Great Canadian Adventure”. Over the course of their 49 years together, they have been to all of the ten provinces, and have lived in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and Biloxi, Mississippi. She still holds out hope of visiting all of the Territories!

While in Alberta, they adopted their children, Christopher and Angela. Her Mother, daughter-in-law Nancy, Angela, and the oldest of their three grandchildren are all CWL members.... four generations!

Carol has taken an active role in her Parish from an early age, participating in Children of Mary, Children’s Choir, Young Christian Students, etc. She continues to be involved in Choir, serves as a Reader and Communion Minister, and was active on Parish Council for many years. In 2002 she was co-chairperson of the committee organizing World Youth Day events and activities in the Parish.

Community involvement began in High School, with Student Council, the United Nations Club and debating. She was for several years involved with Girl Guides as a Brownie Leader. Her participation in School Councils carried on all the time her children were in school.

Carol was the first civilian military dependent elected to a position on a Military Community Council, and compiled the report that won the prestigious “Mynarski Award” for CFS Gypsumville in the mid 70's.

In the early 80's, as a member of D.A.T.A. ( Drug and Alcohol Teen Awareness) she helped organize several information days for up to 400 area teens, and met with Ministers of the Provincial Government to discuss concerns regarding the availability of illegal drugs in the community, their effect on young people and the need for Prevention Education in the School System. This, in part, led to the programs that are now part of the Ontario School Curriculum.

For the past thirteen years, the last four as Chairperson, she has been active in the South Dundas Christmas Exchange, which provides Christmas Hampers to over 200 needy families each year.

Carol’s teaching career was often interrupted by relocations during Murray’s time in the military. In 1977 he retired from the Military, and they moved to Morrisburg. She then embarked on her second career, working as Office Administrator for a Real Estate Company. In 1985 she obtained her Real Estate Licence, and worked in that field until her retirement in 2005.

As a member of the CWL Carol has been blessed with many opportunities to meet a wonderful group of women across the country, to share ideas and to help make a difference. The League is truly a gift she treasures!

Reports

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Pat Rivest
London Diocesan President

Reports

Pat was raised on a farm in Blytheswood – just a few miles outside of Leamington and is the eldest of 4. She met my husband, Vic, in the potato field and they have been married for 36 years with 2 wonderful grown sons – Chris who lives in Sudbury , and Ryan and his wife Jolanta live in Edmonton . She became a member of the League in 1974 but did not become actively involved until Life Member Lillian Mousseau of Belle River , became her mentor.

Pat is a member of St. Michael’s Council in Leamington where she held the positions of Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect/Organization, President and Past President and is currently Corresponding Secretary. She was Regional Secretary /Treasurer for Essex Region for 2 terms and became Regional Chairperson in 1984.

In 1986, she was appointed as Diocesan Treasurer in the Diocese of London and subsequently served as Corresponding Secretary, 2nd Vice-President/Communications Chair, 1st Vice-President/Spiritual Development Chair, President-Elect/Organization and now London Diocesan President. Pat’s League service includes Registration Chairperson for 1 National Convention and 2 Provincial Conventions; prepared and presented an Organization workshop for the councils in the Diocese; facilitator in the national Field Worker and Project Grow projects; presented a workshop for the Regional Chairpersons; and prepared and presented a retreat “A Walk in Mary’s Shoes”

Pat has also been involved in the community as a Girl Guide leader for 12 years; canvassed for Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation; and chaired a dinner/dance for an organization called “Hearts Together for

Haiti

”to support 2 schools and a hospital. In her parish Pat’s activities involve COR – Youth and Adult, Faith and Sharing Groups, being a member of the Parish Advisory Board, as well as other parish faith activities.

She recently retired after 21 years as bookkeeper/clerk for municipal government – the County of Essex . She has also been employed by the Public School Board and the Catholic School Board in her area; worked for 4 lawyers in Leamington , as well as in the customs department at a manufacturing company.

She looks forward to her term as London Diocesan President with joy and anticipation, relying on those who came before and those who walk the journey with her now, and those who, she prays, will learn and know the joy and excitement that the League has for everyone.
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Colleen Randall
Ottawa Diocesan President

Reports

Colleen was born and raised in the Ottawa area and still lives there with her husband Doug and their family. She is a proud mother to two daughters, Christianne and Robin, and an even more proud grandmother of three grandsons.

Colleen has worked for Bell Canada in the Engineering Department for 33 years and hopes to continue her career until her retirement in 2011. She has just completed a three year certificate course at the Archdiocese of Ottawa in Adult Faith Development.

Colleen joined the Catholic Women’s League in 2003 when her pastor asked her to help re-establish the CWL in the parish. That first night she was elected president. After a four year term as president she was elected to Diocesan council as chair of organization/ president-elect. Each day is a new learning experience. The Catholic Women’s League has provided her with the opportunity to meet many wonderful women and men of faith and love. It has influenced her life both personally and spiritually. It is her passion!

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Bev Drouin
Pembroke Diocesan President

Reports

Bev was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario . She moved to Chalk River in 1975 where she set up house with her husband Bob. They raised two daughters, Melanie and Laurie and have two grandchildren Jamie-Lynn and Jonah. Bev worked at AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited) as an Administrative Assistant for about 20 years in total and is now retired. Bev in an active 25 year member of Scouts Canada. Her travels with Scouts brought her from Kananaskis Alberta to PEI and England , France and Switzerland . She volunteers at the local school, United Way, March of Dimes and the Canadian Cancer Society. In her spare time Bev likes to sew and knit, there is always a project or three on the go.

Bev joined the St. Anthony’s CWL council in 1977 and has held the following positions: Secretary (twice), Treasurer (twice), Organization and President (twice). Bev joined Diocesan Council in 2006-07 where she was the Communications Chairperson and in 2008-09 she served as recording Secretary. Under the guidance of various Parish Priests has run the bingo, organized the annual turkey suppers and coordinated a Parish Pictoral Directory. Bev is a member of the choir, a lector and an extraordinary Eucharistic minister.

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Virginia Lynch
Peterborough Diocesan President

Reports

Virginia has been a member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Council of the Catholic Women’s League since joining in 1959 as a young bride. She has served as President of the Hastings Catholic Women’s League Parish Council for four terms, and is currently serving her second term as President of the Peterborough Diocesan Catholic Women’s League, having previously served as President in 1984 to 1986. Virginia was awarded a Life Membership in 1992. She was actively involved with the Fieldworkers program, and has facilitated numerous workshops throughout the diocese. Virginia attended her first Provincial Convention in 1968 in Timmins during her first term as President in her home council. She has served her parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Hastings as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Finance Committee, organist, lector, and counter for the offertory collection. Virginia has four children, and six grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, quilting, reading, and travelling with friends and family.

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Linda Marie O'Hagan
St Catharines Diocesan President

Reports

Linda Marie was born and raised in St. Catharines her entire 52 years. She is an only child, single, never married. Graduate of Denis Morris Catholic High School and Niagara College with a diploma in General Arts and Science specializing in fundraising and event planning. Like many people she lost her job with a company franchise which was bought out and has returned to Niagara College to complete her post graduate studies in Human Resources Management.

She has been and still occasionally is a full figure model and a motivational speaker. The topics range from being a full figure woman in today's society and regarding the physical, emotional and sexual abuse she endured as a child from an alcoholic relative from the time she was 3 to 16.

Linda Marie joined The League in 1981 but from as far back as she can remember she was at her mother’s side attending and learning about The Catholic Women’s League. She has held many positions at parish level – Education & Health, Communications, Christian Family Life, Community Life, Vice President, President Elect and President. She was St. Catharines Regional Chair 2003-2005 and was on the committee for the Provincial convention which was held here 2004. On Diocesan Council she held positions of Spiritual Development/1st Vice President then Organization/President Elect before being elected as Diocesan President. At Provincial Convention 2008 she helped facilitate a workshop for Organization and was also on the committee to record minutes of business sessions. Has also planned and facilitated leadership - league development workshops and retreats.

She is chairperson of her Parish Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Was a member of the Diocesan Vocations committee and is a new member of the St. Catharines Serra Club Chapter, an organization that prays for and fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Vocations remain close to her heart because as a young child she was and is still drawn to that calling but believes Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord has other duties for her at this time.

She is a Eucharistic minister and reader within her home parish the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Linda Marie could not visualize her life without the CWL being a big part of her life today, now and in the future.

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Theresa McGuire
Sault Ste Marie Diocesan President

Reports

Theresa, born in Sudbury , married to Michael for 43 years, mother of a daughter and fraternal twins born on Christmas day, grandmother of two grandsons and one grand daughter, has been a self employed entrepreneur with accounting background for 40 years.

She has been an active member of St Stanislaus Parish council in Copper Cliff since 1963 where she has served on all committees and past president. Theresa has served at the diocesan level as President elect/Organization, corresponding secretary, treasurer, community life and is a recipient of the Maple Leaf Service pin. She has presented workshops, leadership courses and spiritual reflections. Theresa has also co-chaired diocesan conventions and assisted with the prayer room and prayer services for the Provincial convention held in Sault Ste Marie.

In her parish community Theresa has served as a director/member on community boards and advisory groups; was instrumental in promoting the Sudbury Rising Star to help with Elder Care in the region and presenting health information with humour through skits.

Theresa enjoys skiing, horseback riding, snow machining, curling, golfing, bowling,
RV-ing, traveling, line dancing, swimming and reading. She looks forward to continuing her faith journey with her sisters in the League as they gain new vision and meet new challenges as Women of Peace and Hope.

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Elizabeth Bortolussi
Thunder Bay Diocesan President

Reports

Elizabeth (Liz) emigrated from England to North Bay . Several years later the family moved to Geraldton. At 17 she went to Thunder Bay to qualify as a teacher. It was through her teaching career that she met her husband of 42 years. They have a daughter in Calgary and a son living at home. She has been an active volunteer in her community and founded the Thunder Bay Chapter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Chapter when her son was diagnosed with cf 40 years ago. At the parish level Liz serves on the Altar Society, the funeral reception group and the Liturgy Committee. She recruits, trains, participates and schedules the Ministers of the Word. In her 42 years in the League, she has held several committee chairs, served as secretary and twice president. She received her Maple Leaf Service Pin in 2005. At the Diocesan level Liz helped to prepare and present Leadership Training throughout the Diocese, present mini workshops at Development Days and visit several far flung councils. She has been blessed with many new friends and skills while holding the office of Secretary and President Elect and is now beginning her term as President.

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Frances Freeman
Timmins Diocesan President

Reports

Frances was born and raised on a farm in Linwood, Ontario , near Waterloo , and is the fourth eldest of eight children.

Frances married Dale when she was young and they have two daughters and one son. She worked in a drugstore until Dale graduated from university. They moved to Sutton for two years and in 1971 moved to Englehart, Ontario . It was difficult being 400 miles from family and Frances found comfort by joining the CWL.

After the children were in school, Frances went back to work and was employed for 33 years as a pharmacy technician.

Frances and Dale have been married for 42 years. They are avid bridge partners and have represented Northern Ontario in the Canadian championships a number of times.

Frances loves nature, photography, birding and animals especially dogs. She also enjoys sewing, quilting gardening and even fishing. Most importantly she has great enjoyment in her five grandchildren.

Frances has been a member of the Catholic Women’s League for 38 years and has held many positions on the parish and diocesan levels.

Frances recently retired to spend more time with family and travelling. She thinks of her CWL sisters as family and when asked to consider the position of Timmins Diocesan president, she thought it would be a challenge and an opportunity. She sees many women of the Catholic Women’s League who have leadership qualities as mentors who “have shown her what’s possible” as Dewitt Jones said in “Celebrating What’s Right in the World”
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Marlin

Marlin Taylor
Toronto Archdiocesan President

Reports

Marlin joined St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Alliston CWL September 1979

She served as a convener on all the standing Committee except Treasurer and Legislation Chair for a period of 8 Years.

From 1987 to 1990, served as President of St. Paul the Apostle Alliston CWL

Served on the Northern Region as Spiritual Standing Committee Chair, Christian Family Life Standing Committee Chair and Resolution Standing Committee Chair.

From 1996 to 1998 she served as Northern Regional Chair.

From 1992-1993, was co –convener to Anne Rode, Community Life Chair

From 2001-2003 Recording Secretary on the Toronto Archdiocesan Council
From 2003-2005 Christian Family Life Chair on the Toronto Archdiocesan Council
From 2005-2007 Spiritual Development Chair on the Toronto Archdiocesan Council
From 2007-2009 Organization Chair on the Toronto Archdiocesan Council
From 2009 -2011 Toronto Archdiocesan President

Marlin is married with one son who is now married and has three children.

She is a proud grandmother.

Currently Marlin works with Royal Bank (RBC) as a Senior Life and Health Claims Adjudicator.

Reports
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