Catholic Women's League

Saint Peter’s Catholic Women’s League has been in existence since 1952. We are still an active group who meet every second Tuesday of the month from September to June – below is the schedule of meetings for 2012-2013. Currently we have 30 members and new members are always welcome. We are hoping that 2012 will attract more women to our Council, bringing with them new ideas and energy to complement the group. If you would like more information about CWL at Saint Peter’s or would like to attend one of our meetings, please call Tricia at 466-0206.

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR 2012-2013

Parish Office Meeting Room

Tuesday, September 12, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 10, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 14, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 (Dinner – Trendz Restaurant) – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 9, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 13, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 10, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 8, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 (Closing Dinner) – 6:00 p.m.

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS - 2012 to 2014

President Tricia Vermeulen

Past President Terry Wigle

Vice-President Gloria Bernard

Recording Secretary Chella Stephens

Treasurer Marie MacNeil

Committees:

Spiritual Development Chair Sister Cecilia Sacca

Organization Chair Sheila Rooney

Christian Family Life Chair Marilyn Chaisson

Community Family Life Chair Carol Mulcahy

Education and Health Chair Mary Moore

Parish Activities Phyl Pattenden

Communications Chair Gloria Bernard

Legislation Chair Terry Wigle

Resolutions Chair Mary MacLeod

Below is the report for the Catholic Women’s League from June, 2011 to June, 2012. The report is self explanatory and shows that our Council is very busy, continually serving Saint Peter’s community as the need arises. We also play an important role in the functioning of the parish by assisting at masses, baptisms, senior’s group and parish office assistance when needed.

During the past year, our CWL Council provided financial assistance to many organizations and groups in the amount of $7,000. We were fortunate to be able to contribute to the repairs to stained glass windows in the latter part of 2011 and the accessible doors for the church in 2012. Some of the other recipients were Marguerite Centre, Chalice, Net program, Mass for Shut-ins, National Pro-Life, Development and Peace, Catholic Missions, to name a few.

We are one of the groups who consistently support Margaret’s House (FOOD) and are a member of the Christian Relief and Development Coalition group which is comprised of the downtown churches who meet monthly and discuss the needs of FOOD. For many years we have also provided stews every couple of months to Hope Cottage in Halifax.

Our Council provides the funeral receptions for grieving families in our parish. To date, we have coordinated and catered to 23 funerals since January, 2012. In February, we hosted a lunch for the women of Saint Peter’s to show our appreciation for the help they have given to CWL over the years.

This past year we participated in Atlantic Path Cancer Research, collected signatures for the White Ribbon Campaign against Pornography and once again provided baby items to Birthright. Thank you to those parishioners who helped make these programs successful.

In closing, in order for our Council to continue to provide the services to the Parish and to the many other organizations which we currently support, we have to increase and strengthen our membership. We meet every second Tuesday of the month in the parish office meeting room at 7:00 p.m. and if you would like to find out more about the Catholic Women’s League, I would be happy to provide you with that information.

The following is a list of Presidents and Spiritual Advisors and their terms of office from March 24, 1952 to 2012:

The year 2002 marks a very important period in the history of St. Peter’s Council of the Catholic Women’s League. We are celebrating our fiftieth anniversary, or as we say Our Golden Jubilee.

In 1952, Reverend Father William Smith invited the ladies of St. Peter’s Parish to meet together to form a branch of the Catholic Women’s League. Our inauguration meeting was held on March 24, 1952. Two of the Diocesan members were present to help us organize.

Approximately, one hundred members signed the membership list. Father Smith was so pleased with the response that he presented us with a gavel. Our first Spiritual Advisor was Father Smith and the First President was Miss Nan DeVan.

During the last fifty years, our Council has had the guidance of six Spiritual Advisors, Father William Smith, Monsignor John Campbell, Father Louis Caissie, Father Thomas White and Father Jack Hayes.

The CWL is a national organization of Catholic Women that was formed around 1920. The patroness is our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel. The logo is For God and Canada.

Perhaps it is fitting to review the arms of the Catholic Women’s League and we shall see how clearly our Council has followed, and still follows these aims, the aims are:

So important has the League become in Canada that it has been given the privilege of presenting briefs and resolutions to the Federal Government, so as a member our local Council is quite important.

Our Council has seen many changes since that memorable day in 1952, but there is one characteristic that has not changed – the loyalty of the members to the church and Canada. Even though our membership has decreased in numbers we have taken part in many projects connected with the church and the community.

The Council sends a member to the FOOD organization and thus our parish is represented. Our members supervise the donations sent to Hope Cottage from the parish.

Our League sends donations to Mass for Shut-ins. Each year our League sends representatives to the World Day of Prayer, and members attend the Lenten Service held in the downtown churches.

We also have a committee social action which cooperates with others in sending gifts to the Nova Scotia Hospital, and attends Cancer Clinics and Red Cross projects.

In past few years our Council has undertaken another great project – catering at funeral receptions. This is greatly appreciated by the members of deceased families and has proven to be a very commendable work for our Council.

Members of our Council volunteer as Ministers of the Eucharist and as a Lector. The Rosary is recited at the funeral home on the death of a member or her spouse.

When the Parish suffered the loss of the old St. Peter’s Church, the CWL came forward immediately with offers of assistance. When the ruins were considered safe, the ladies were successful in salvaging some of the valuable linens.

When the present St. Peter’s Church was being built, our Council made many contributions towards the expenses of the building, among them being the payment for one of the large stained glass windows over the entrance of the church. Presently we made a donation to the renovation of the kitchen in the school hall.

On this occasion we have much to be thankful for. Our membership may be low in quantity, but high in quality. We have our Spiritual Advisor, Father Jack Hayes who guides us on our plans, our President, Mrs. Shirley Horne who keeps us going, our Treasurer, Mrs. Betty Fougere, who always seems to have money in the bank, our Secretary, Chella Stephens who keeps us aware of our activities. Some of the other ladies take part in other activities. We can look back with pride on our past endeavours, and look ahead with a good feeling as we work for God and Canada.