CWL Newsletter 2019 May-Jun

Posted On 25th May 2019

Dear Sisters in the League,

It’s halfway through our first year as presidents and it’s definitely been a learning experience. So many good memories – the Day of Recollection, Mary Matthews Public Speaking Contest, Ordinandi bouquet collection and attending the Banquet, the Scarborough Winter Event and Toronto Diocesan Development Day, the Mass for Our Lady of Good Counsel and attending the annual Toronto Diocesan Convention, enlightening and a great opportunity to learn. We heartily recommend getting involved in the many events which offer opportunities to learn about the Catholic Women’s League.

The next couple of months we have scheduled events which we would like to invite you to participate. The day of Recollection from Live Christ Share Christ on June 1, June 10th Potluck Dinner (both with speakers) and our Heritage Day Bazaar on June 15th. We hope everyone will join us and get involved and enjoy.

We are very proud to announce and congratulate, our very own Mary Tuccitto, (Past-President 2009-2010 and Past Scarborough Regional Chair 2017-2019) has been elected to serve on the Toronto Diocesan Executive for the term of 2019-2021.

Have a great Summer! Kim and Marla

We would like to invite all of you to come and support the Executive Team with your presence and participation at the monthly meetings as well as take part in the initiatives and events which are being organized for the success of the Council. The St. Joseph Highland Creek Counsel belongs to all of you and you have a say.

2019 CWL Provincial Convention: Kingston, Ontario will be hosting the 72nd Annual Provincial Convention in July (13-17) 2019, which will take place at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Centre. Check the Ontario Provincial Council website www.cwl.on.ca for details on registration and tentative program. Come join for Prayer, Fellowship, Workshops, Resolutions, Business Sessions, Eucharistic Celebrations and Guest Speakers. If you are interested in attending this Provincial Convention and have any questions, please call us.

2019 National CWL Convention: Calgary, Alberta will be hosting the 99th Annual National Convention in August (18-21) 2019. Check the National website for more details at www.cwl.ca as well as the National Magazine.

Social – Pot Luck – Monday June 10th 7:00 p.m. Our Pot Luck Dinner is always popular, be sure to bring your best food dish to share with all your sisters. Bring a friend. We will have a speaker Anita Andrade, a Senior Women Leader of Jesus the Good Shepherd Covenant Community. This is a great way to end the first half of the year. No meetings during the summer months. Call Marla 416-209-8656 or Kim 416-206-6341.

Heritage Day Bazaar – Saturday June 15, 2019

This annual community event is one of our two fundraisers with which we are able to support our charities. This year we are having the Heritage Day Bazaar together with the Village Businesses along Old Kingston Rd. They will be having a sidewalk sale. Let us encourage our contacts to come and shop in the Village Community. The Heritage Community Festival has changed locations and is a separate event it will also be held on Saturday, June 15th. We need your help with the various activities to make this a successful day. As in past years, setup for this event is on Friday, June 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. We also need your help on the Saturday, June 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is important that YOU participate in any way you can, even for a few hours, so that EVERYONE can enjoy the day and get to know each other. Please contact any one of the following ladies if you can contribute, join their committee or participate in some way. More hands make light work

Bake Table: Lina Civello We need your contribution of baked goodies and we would like to see this table overflowing. We love to see a variety of goodies let’s start baking now! Please drop off your donation of clearly marked, baked goods on Friday, June 14th.

Plant Sale: Tina Tolpa Our plants are the best! If you love plants and have a green thumb you can join us at this table. We will accept potted plants a few days before or on Friday, June 14th. Drop off is at the back of the Hall (next to the garage/patio)

Tea Room: Marguerite Civello Enjoy our selection sandwiches, hot dogs, drinks, coffee etc… and our famous “Strawberry Shortcakes” will be on sale. All this and more at very reasonable prices so join us for lunch!

Treasures: Lucia Vacca Your gently used house hold items are someone else‘s treasures. We will not accept soiled or broken items. Please drop off your donation of treasures on Friday June 14th between 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Vendors: Barbara Sullivan We have vendors participating in this event in the hall. Let’s support them.

International Food Tables: Ingrid Hart

There will be an Indian Table, Caribbean Table and Filipino Table. Come out and enjoy the foods from these countries representing the cultural mix of our Parish community, all at reasonable prices.

Virtue of the Month We will continue to highlight a new virtue for each month:

5May: Patience – “Have Patience with all things but first of all with yourself” – Francis de Sales

June: Fortitude – “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Maya Angelou

July: Justice – “Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.” Blaise Pascal

August: Diligence – “What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.” Samuel L. Johnson

Dear Ladies,

As you all know in the last 2 years the focus was on ‘Homelessness’ and the response to that was overwhelming and it is something that we all definitely need to continue to do in our own way or through the community.

This year our national president has chosen to focus on water under the theme ‘Care for our Common Home’ and the kick-off was on March 22, 2019 which was designated World Water Day. During the year they are encouraging all of us to take steps to become aware of water usage and reduce consumption. Each of us is being asked to select one or a couple of ways of reducing water consumption for themselves and others who share their living space. Some of the things recommended are given below and I am sure most of us do follow a couple of these:

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and while you scrub your hands
Operate dishwasher and washer only when full (each cycle uses 4 -6 gallons
Fix a leaky faucet (estimated savings 30-40 gallons per week with a steady run)
Shorten the number of minutes for each shower (estimated savings 2.1 gallons per minute)
Fill a pitcher with water and store in fridge so that you do not have to run water to cool it
Do not let the water run continuously to rinse dishes
If washing dishes, put water in the sink rather than letting the tap run while washing
Use biodegradable dish soap and then use dishwater for watering plants after completing dishwashing (reusing water also counts as a savings)
Collect rain water and/or melt snow to water plants

There is an initiative to record this saving and send it in and some of you might have already received the forms and submitted the same.

From the Community Life Standing Committee handbook: Wherever there are people in need of food and drink, clothing, housing, medicine, employment, education; wherever (people) lack the facilities necessary for living a truly human life or are afflicted with serious distress or illness or suffer exile or imprisonment, there Christian charity should seek them out and find them, console them with great solicitude, and help them with appropriate relief. This obligation is imposed above all upon every prosperous nation and person. (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity)

A summary of the Youth Awards at St. Joseph’s:

The four schools in the Parish were informed of the Youth Awards. Notices were put up in the church and in the bulletin newsletter. We had a fairly good response with one entry for the Jean McCann Service Award for Youth.

The Mary Matthews public speaking contest was held in our parish on the 3rd of March 2019. We had 7 students participating. The winner, Stefan Dias from St. Dominic Savio School represented St Joseph’s at the regional level.

The Toronto Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada is offering a scholarship to St. Michael’s College. The value of this non-renewable scholarship is $3,000.00 The St. Michael scholarship is still accepting entries so please encourage anyone who you know who may be eligible. Details are on the bulletin board and also available on the CWL website.

Water Challenge

Did you know the 2019 focus for national theme Care for Our Common Home is water?

In keeping towards this same theme, the education and health standing committee has posed The Water Challenge. Members are encouraged to pledge to conserve water in their homes, by signing a Water Challenge Pledge Form. We can choose to do this in specific ways and Some of these examples are given in the forms. Let us all do our bit, no matter how small to save this home and its resources for future generations. These forms will also be made available after the Our Lady of Good Counsel Mass on the 26th and at our next General Meeting, it would be great if every one of us pledged to conserve water, a precious life-giving resource.

Catholic Education Week in Ontario

May 5-10, 2019 is Catholic Education Week in Ontario. This year’s theme is “Living as Joyful Disciples”. This reminds us that publicly funded Catholic education is a call to service. Birthed in our Baptism, our Catholic education system brings the saving message of Jesus Christ into the lives of students and their families.

Another concern for that covers both education and health is the fear of vaccines. Doctors in Ontario are warning that misinformation online is undermining public trust in vaccines. The Ontario Medical Association President, Dr. Nadia Alam reports that doctors are hearing from patients who say they are afraid to get a vaccine or have their children immunized because of information they got online. “They’re more worried about the vaccines than the illnesses themselves,” she said. “They don’t realize that the risks of the illnesses are actually much, much greater.” Dr. Alam said one of the most damaging myths about vaccines is a debunked study which linked the measles immunization to increased rates of autism in children. This myth has persisted even though there have been a number of studies since then that have proven that there is absolutely no link between the measles vaccine and autism. Let’s help spread the truth and make sure all are immunized so that no one is in danger

Get ready for the premiere of the highly anticipated documentary, The Francis Impact, on Sunday, May 5! Click here for the official website

Salt + Light TV will be available on Free Preview April 14 – May 13. Check your local TV provider for more details.

I AM MISSION: What does it mean to be missionary? Why is it important for the Church today? This new documentary makes us delve into the dynamism as well as the challenges of the universal call to mission, in light of the 5th Missionary Congress of America.

PERSPECTIVES WEEKLY:

CAN AFRICA BE LIFTED OUT OF POVERTY? Deacon Pedro speaks with Fr. Charles Chilufya, SJ, the head of the Justice and Ecology Office for the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar.

HOW TO WATCH: Subscribe to Salt + Light Television, Canada’s National Catholic TV Network, available on most cable and satellite carriers across Canada. Find out what channel and how to subscribe

Facebook Page: CWL St. Joseph Highland Creek – be sure to follow us.

Websites of Interest:

Salt & Light: www.saltandlighttv.org
Salt & Light the Rosary: https://saltandlighttv.org/rosary/
Catholic Register: www.catholicregister.org
FORMED: www.formed.org

CWL Websites as your resources:

National www.cwl.ca
Provincial www.cwl.on.ca
Toronto www.cwltoronto.ca
As well as our own Parish www.stjosephstoronto.org for upcoming events.

Robert Leslie Rumball (October 2, 1929 – June 1, 2016) was a pastor and advocate for the deaf and those with special needs.

After studying at University of Toronto, he began his career as a CFL football player, but God had other plans for him.

After attending the Seminary Rumball was introduced to Deaf culture and learned American Sign Language to communicate with Toronto’s Deaf population, and gave their needs a voice. He spent a lifetime advocating for the deaf.

The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf houses numerous programs and services, including the Evangelical Church of the Deaf, an adult program, a long-term care home, a Camp for the Deaf and the Ontario Association for the Deaf.

Rumball’s work has been recognized with many honours, including the Order of Ontario, the Order of Canada, and appointment as a Citizenship Court Judge. Rumball died in Parry Sound Ontario on June 1, 2016.

Each April the Deaf Women’s Community hold a day of Reflection. This year the focus was “Who Am I In Christ”. Does my perception of myself match God’s Perception of ME! Now, “LOOK in the MIRROR and SEE”! One of the books suggested at this Day of Reflection was “The Power of Right Believing” by Joseph Prince. Judy spoke about the World View being Dark, focused on failure, worry and fear, but God’s View is Light, Truth, Right Believing, Freedom, the ability to overcome and have Peace.

With it being our last Newsletter until the Fall I will leave you with some beautiful scripture readings.

YOU ARE:

Beautiful Psalm 45:11
Unique Psalm 139:13
Loved Jeremiah 31:3
Special Ephesians 2:10
Created for a Purpose Jeremiah 29:11
Cared for Ephesians 3:17-19
Lovely Daniel 12:3
Precious Corinthians 6:20
Important 1 Peter 2:9
Forgiven Psalm 103:12
A New Creation 2 Corinthians 5:17
Protected Psalm 121:3
Empowered Philippians 4:13
Chosen John 5:16
Family Ephesians 2:19
YOU ARE MINE Isaiah 43:1

Resolution presented at the Toronto Diocesan Council Convention this May 3rd and accepted:

TDC2019.02 Canadian Support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

All councils are being asked to review this Resolution and follow the action plan. Go to www.cwltoronto.ca for full description of the resolution and action plans.

Legislation “Bill C-418 amends the Criminal Code to make it an offence to intimidate a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or any other health-care professional for compelling them to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of euthanasia. To read the full bill, click here.”

“It also makes it an offence to dismiss from employment or to refuse to employ a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or any other health-care professional for the reason only that they refuse to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of assisted suicide or euthanasia.”

C-418 is expected to be debated on May 29th. Please lobby the MPs and urge them to vote in favour of this bill.

Please click here to contact your local MP using our Action Alert Email software.

Email your MP a pre-written message educating them on the bill, and asking them to vote in favour of it.

From the Campaign Life Coalition

In this month’s message and in my responsibility of mentoring members, I would like to list the current Standing Committee Chairs and what each is responsible for under their area. The reason for this is that a few of you have asked and are not sure what the position entails. This is an overview of these positions in the executive for detailed explanations, please to go the following link in the National website www.cwl.ca under To Organize /600 Series Manuals: https://www.cwl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/606-Executive-Handbook-2014.pdf

Spiritual Development Chair: focuses on the spiritual growth of members, study of Catholic teachings, role of women in the church, evangelization and mission assistance, lay ministries, ecumenism and interfaith endeavours.

Organization Chair: recruits members and maintains memberships, leadership development, League resource material, annual reports as well as preparing New members kits.

Christian Family Life Chair: focuses on marriage and family, sanctity of life, ministry to youth, disabled, seniors, widowed, separated, divorced and vocations. Annually collect spiritual bouquets for the Ordinandi.

Community Life Chair: focuses on dignity and rights of persons, social and economic justice, refugees, immigration and citizenship, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) and developing countries. At our Parish Council is also responsible for to report any events happening in our community of interest.

Education and Health Chair: focuses on the Catholic schools and catechesis, Rites of Christian Initiation, literacy and continuing education, scholarships and bursaries, Youth Awards, wellness and sickness/disease, environment and genetics.

Communications Chair: focuses on The Canadian League magazine, media, media relations and issues such as pornography. At our Parish Council she is also responsible for producing and distributing the by-monthly newsletter, as well as sending email reminders of upcoming events.

Resolutions & Legislation Chair:

(Resolutions) focuses on research and preparation of resolutions and briefs, study and implementation of resolutions

passed by other levels and presentation of resolutions to government.

(Legislation) focuses on and studies legislation at all levels of government, and preparation of briefs and position papers on proposed legislation.

In addition I strongly suggest that each member become familiar with the Constitution & By-Laws (little white book) of the League. https://www.cwl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/604-Constitution-Bylaws-2013.pdf – these are the guidelines of the organization.

For information on the National Strategic Planning go: https://cwl.ca/implementation-of-the-strategic-plan/

If you have any questions regarding the above or would like more explanations, please give me a call or email me.

Blessings, Lucia

CWL Items for Purchase-“The League Scarf is an accessory that members will take pride in wearing at government presentations, conferences, seminars and local community functions. Wearing this beautiful scarf identifies and promotes the League.” (as per National Manual of Policy and Procedures)

CWL Blue Scarves $25.00
CWL White Name Tags $5.00
CWL Scarf Clip $17.00

Reminders for General Meetings:

Members are encouraged to bring their own mugs to meetings, so please remember to “Lug A Mug”.

We are also collecting the following items:

Pop Tabs for Wheelchairs
Donations of extra blank cards and blank birthday cards are welcomed and appreciated.
Donations of your extra Rosaries or Religious items are welcomed.
Milk bags (clean/dry) are being collected to be used in the project of making sleeping mats and sent to Africa for those in need.
Collecting your used postage stamps being sent to Development & Peace.
We are continue to make pneumonia vests for the premature babies. If you have extra wool or would like to make these vests give us a call and we will forward the pattern to follow.

We are also collecting non-perishable food items at each of our General Meetings to support our St. Joseph Outreach Program. Many are in need, please be generous.

[easytable th=false colwidth=”25%|75%” delimiter=”|” caption=”MAY”]
May 13 (Monday)|General Meeting – Rosary 7:00 Crowning of Mary Meeting 7:30 – Mother’s Day Meeting – special prayers/hymns
May 31 (Friday)|Deadline for Applications – St. Michael’s Scholarships to Toronto Diocese
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[easytable th=false colwidth=”25%|75%” delimiter=”|” caption=”JUNE”]
June 1 (Saturday)|CWL sponsoring the Live Christ Share Christ talk from Fr. Tony Adusei 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Topic: “Suffering with Jesus and Mary to attain Heavenly Glory” – all are welcome to attend.
June 8 (Saturday)|CWL mass for living and deceased members 5:00 p.m.
June 9 (Sunday)|Pentecost Sunday
June 9 (Sunday)|Mass intention for Bobbie LePage 7:00 p.m.
June 10 (Monday)|CWL Social – Pot Luck Dinner – Hall – 7:00 p.m. Bring goodies to share
June 14 (Friday)|Setup for Heritage Day Bazaar 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. we need all the help – more hands make light work… join us in this endeavour
June 15 (Saturday)|Heritage Day Bazaar – Plant Sale, Tea Room etc… 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – need help for this event in the morning set up and in the afternoon clean up and of course during the day – hope to see you!
June 23 (Sunday)|5th Annual Indigenous Mass – Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (131 Birchmount Rd.)– Mass at 11:00 a.m. – everyone is invited for this special mass and special celebration. Scarborough Region CWL
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[easytable th=false colwidth=”25%|75%” delimiter=”|” caption=”JULY”]
July 13 – 17|Provincial Convention – 72nd – Kingston Diocese is hosting, Ontario www.cwl.on.ca for more information.
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[easytable th=false colwidth=”25%|75%” delimiter=”|” caption=”AUGUST”]
August 18 – 21|National Convention – 99th Calgary, Alberta www.cwl.ca for information
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[easytable th=false colwidth=”25%|75%” delimiter=”|” caption=”SEPTEMBER”]
September 8 (Sunday)|CWL mass for living and deceased members 9:00 a.m.
September 8 (Sunday)|Rosary Sunday – Midland Martyrs Shrine
September 9 (Monday)|General Meeting – Rosary 7:00 Meeting 7:30 Welcome back!
September 14 (Saturday)|CWL Recollection Retreat – 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 16 (Monday)|Bazaar Planning Mtg. @7:00 p.m. Room 3
September 21 (Saturday)|Square Dancing in the Hall 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
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[easytable th=false colwidth=”25%|75%” delimiter=”|” caption=”OCTOBER”]
October 6 (Sunday)|CWL mass for living and deceased members 9:00 a.m.
October 6 (Sunday)|Life Chain – (Kingston Rd. & Lawrence 2-3:30 pm) Be there!~~Make an effort to be present for this silent protest.[/easytable]

CWL Newsletter 2019 May-Jun

2019-2020 Executive

A Message from the Spiritual Advisor – Fr. Oliver Iwuchukwu

A Message from the Presidents – Kim Deans and Marla Tanuan

President Elect – Organization & Membership

A Message from Spiritual Development – Patricia Hall

A Message from Spiritual Development – Patricia Hall

A Message from Community Life – Tania Mascarenhas

A Message from Education & Health – Cheryl Mascarenhas

A Message from Communications – Ju-Ann Miranda

A Message from Christian Family Life – Nancy Jane Martineau

A Message from Resolution & Legislation

A Message from Past President/Historian – Lucia Vacca

Dates To Remember