The Catholic Women's League of Canada (CWL)

St. Paul Diocesan Council

(Updated April 22, 2011 ; CWL St. Paul  home page ; contact us at: <cwlstp[at]stpaul.cwl.ab.ca> ; CWL ABMK home page)

Education & Health Communiques

Chairperson (2009-2011):  Karen C. <cwlstp[at]stpaul.cwl.ab.ca>

| Annual Report - Feb '11 [PDF] | Annual Report - Feb'10 [PDF version] |

February 2011  CWL St. Paul Diocesan Education & Health Report [PDF]
It was wonderful and even inspirational to read the reports from the various parishes of St. Paul Diocese and acquire a sense of what activities the CWL ladies are doing. With 12 out of 20 parishes sending in reports it is wonderful to see even small groups of four who are active and assist in various church and community functions. Most parishes are involved in Religious Instruction of one form or another and are very generous in organizing and assisting with first communion and confirmation activities. There are many groups who do Bible study or have additional Bible studies. It seems that many parishes have members who volunteer in the schools, either on a school committee, fundraising dinners or giving out grad gifts or scholarships for grade 12 students. I did note that not many parishes access the CWL Bursary fund and I would encourage those that have not, to access this. I read that many parishes do much work in visiting the sick or elderly as well as assist in palliative care organizations. There does seem to be a strong interest in health issues and members were involved in planning speakers around various health topics, including palliative care. Some parishes have done letter writing on behalf of a health related issue while others read media reports or have a guest speaker on a topic. As I read through the reports I observed a theme of the parishes being concerned about the environment and that ecologically sound practices are encouraged at a local level. I noted that several parishes donated to the Coady fund and would encourage this as well as prayers for the work that they do in developing nations and sponsorship of people to gain skills in Canada and then take these to their home country to assist in improvements there. As a personal observation, it will be an interesting time as we see how the Alberta government’s five year action plan unfolds and how close they will come to meeting their target numbers and dates. On the education front one can hope that school boards and trustees will look at declining enrolments and look for positive solutions and not shortchange students. In closing, I would like to say that all parishes have done well to keep apprised of various issues and informed about the numerous education and health topics that arise.

For God & Canada

Karen C.
Education & Health Chair
St. Paul Diocese
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February 2010  CWL St. Paul Diocesan Education & Health Report [PDF version]

It was a real privilege to read the reports from the various parishes of St. Paul Diocese and acquire a sense of what the CWL ladies are accomplishing. It is wonderful to see even small groups of four who are active and assist in various church and community functions. Most parishes are involved in Religious Instruction of one form or another and are very generous in organizing and assisting with first communion and confirmation activities. There are many groups who do have Bible study or have additional Bible study.

I did note that not many parishes access the CWL Bursary fund and I would encourage those that have not, to access this to aid in the work for Education or health issues. I noted that many parishes do much work in visiting the sick or elderly as well as assist in palliative care organizations.

There does seem to be a strong interest in health issues and members were involved in planning speakers around various health topics, including the H1N1 virus. As I read through the reports, I observed a theme of the parishes being concerned about the environment and that ecologically sound practices are encouraged at a local level. Some parishes have looked at issues in genetics such as stem cell research and I would encourage all parishes to do what they can to be aware of these and other topics that deal with genetics. This may include letter writing campaigns, reading media reports or having a guest speaker on a topic.

I noted that several parishes donated to the Coady International Institute <www.coady.stfx.ca> fund and I would encourage this as well as prayers for the work that they do in developing nations and sponsorship of people to gain skills in Canada and then take these to their home country to assist in improvements there.

In closing I would like to say that all parishes have done well to keep apprised of various issues and informed about the numerous health and education topics that arise.

For God & Canada,

Karen C.,
Health & Education Chair
St. Paul Diocese

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