CWL Newsletter 2020 Sep-Oct

Posted On 27th Sep 2020

My dear Parishioners,
Greetings and best wishes! I pray and hope that all is well with you. Fr. Tony and I are well. So are the other members of the parish staff.

Financial health of our Parish: For very understandable reasons, many of our parishioners are not able to attend Mass but have continued to nourish their faith by watching TV Masses and what is available on http://formed.org, etc. This is to be encouraged. Because
of the decline in Mass attendance, the Parish has been struggling to pay the necessary bills. What has kept us going is the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Unfortunately, this will soon decline and will eventually come to an end. I am pleading that you please continue
with your financial support of the Parish to the extent that you can. If because of the lockdown you cannot use the weekly envelops, consider Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG) or the other forms of electronic donation as specified in our Parish website: www.stjosephstoronto.org. This is a convenient and safe way to give.

Our Volunteers & Ushers and Cleaners: Since our church was re-opened on June 14th, the Feast of Corpus Christi, very dependable volunteers—Ushers and Cleaners—have been working very hard to ensure the safety of all who come to our church for private
prayers and for Mass. They have given very generously of their time and talents. We are very grateful them. But we do not want to stretch them to a breaking point. We will be very happy to have more people volunteer especially as cleaners whose work is to sanitize the church after every Mass. Please let us know if you can help.

Please stay safe and healthy. May God bless you with every good gift.

– Fr. Oliver Iwuchukwu CSSp

It has been almost six months since life changed so drastically for us all. We hope and praythat you are all keeping safe, keeping in touch with your loved ones and taking thisopportunity to enhance your prayer life. The Catholic Women’s League and our parishcouncil are continuing to work towards our goals. Work on the Strategic plan especiallyhas been continuing and Marla and Kim participated in a survey to give our insights aboutthe changes being planned. We hope you are being able to join in some of the virtualretreats, prayer groups and speaker’s series that have been made available by the variouslevels of the CWL. With Father Oliver’s permission, our council has also planned to planta small tree near the memorial for the unborn to commemorate the 100 th anniversary of theCatholic Women’s League of Canada.

Due to COVID, the elections to replace our executive have been postponed until next yearand we look forward to continuing as your presidents for one more year. May Godcontinue to guide us and our Executives in the leadership positions we are holding. May He send His Holy Spirit to enlighten us in ways that we may bring the council to the fulfillment of His Holy will, andmay we all shine forth in our heavenly appointment in spreading the Good News.

Membership Renewal

Due to National before January 1, 2021. The November/December Newsletter willinclude the Membership Renewal Form for 2021. The form will also be available at our General Meetings (when wemeet in person). If you are receiving your Newsletter by email, please ensure that you print the form which will be aseparate attachment. If you have moved, are in the process of moving or have had any change in your contactinformation, we need to have your correct information for our records and for the National Office. This will ensureyour receipt of your League Magazine. Need your help to accomplish this task, if you would like to volunteer,please give me a call.

National is continuing to create new programs with the new Strategic Plan. Watch the following presentation:
https://cwl.ca/welcome-program-video/ (go to www.cwl.ca )

Service Pins

Many of you have received CWL service pins for your valuable years of service. Here is a proposal: If you have afew and are not interested in keeping all of them or wearing these milestone pins, we will take them back. Wear themost current years e.g. 15 or 20 or 25. If you have questions regarding this request, call Lucia at 416-283-3536. Thank you for your consideration.

Update on the Good Shepherd Centre

As many of you know the monthly casserole contributions for the Good Shepherd Centre from St. Joseph parishioners have been put on hold do to the pandemic.However, they are looking for cookies, snacks, cereal bars, etc… Drop off your items at this address ==> 193 East Avenue (East Avenue is one street east of Port UnionRd ); our home is on the North East Corner of East and Baronial. There is a box in theentry area, with a sign indicating “Good Shepherd Drop Off”. The box will be left outduring daylight hours. All contributions are appreciated.

Scarborough Regional Fall General Meeting – will be VIRTUAL set for Thursday October 1 st . 7:00 p.m.
All members are invited to attend. You will receive an email with the link to join in the virtual meeting

Commemoration of the 100 th Anniversary of the Catholic Women’s League – Saturday October 3rd at 11:00 a.m.

Our Council will be planting two Sweet SummerHydrangeas (miniature plants), on each side of the currentplaque of the unborn at the front of the Parish, eastside. Thiswill take place on Saturday October 3 rd at 11:00 a.m. a PrayerService will also be included as we plant these. Members areinvited to join in – wear your CWL scarves, a face-mask anddistance for precautions.

My dear Sisters in the League, I hope and I pray that you and your families are keeping healthy and safe during theseturbulent times. We are all exhausted and preoccupied with social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing.Indeed, these are troubled times that we find ourselves in. Despite the world being in a state of quarantine andisolation, we are all finding comfort and hope as we witness firsthand the many blessings and fortuitous acts ofkindness which are being experienced in the midst of our homes, our communities and throughout the world. Theseheroic acts are a direct response to this pandemic. Acts of love, compassion and courage in the midst of a deadlyvirus. Its encouraging to see families reconnecting and exhibiting closer bonds with one another. Being present foreach other when fear and anxiety are knocking at their door.

Jesus tells us in John Chpt. 14 vs. 27, “Peace Is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”

Jesus has come to bring peace. A peace that the world does not recognize or acknowledge. Through God’s divinegrace, we, as believers, stand strong in our faith knowing fully that we are not alone and that God is always withus. So lets spiritually wrap our arms around one another, casting out all fear and anxiety! as we joyfully pray, “Jesusis Lord of Heaven and Earth!”

The Woman’s Inter Church Council of Canada, organizes the World Day of Prayer and Fellowship of the Least Coinwhich will take place on the first Friday of March 2021. The Country to be celebrated will be Vanuatu. The themewill be, “Build on a Strong Foundation.”

World Day of the Poor

There will be a fourth “World Day of the Poor,“ which will take place on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.November 15, 2020. The theme for this year is, “Stretch Forth your hand to the poor.“ Sirach Chpt. 6 vs. 7.

On November 21, 2020, there will be a Workshop on the Holy Spirit: Water and Fire. The presenter will be FatherJoseph Chandrakanthan. On December 12th, 2020, there will be an Advent Retreat, Imitation of Christ. Which willbe presented by Dr. Josephine Lombardi. The cost is $25.00 and the virtual time will be from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. If you are interested and for more information, please go to www.staugustines.on.ca/about/events.

God bless you all and again please stay safe and well as we journey together through this pandemic. Let’s encourageone another and stay close as Sister’s In Christ.

PRAYER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – POPE FRANCIS – LAUDATO SI

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

Prayer During a Pandemic

Loving God, Holy One,
Your desire is for our wholeness and well-being.
We hold in tenderness and prayer the collective suffering of our world at this time.
We grieve precious lives lost and vulnerable lives threatened.
We ache for ourselves and our neighbors, standing before an uncertain future.
We pray: May love, not fear, go viral.
Inspire our leaders to discern and choose wisely, aligned with the common good.
Help us to practice social distancing and reveal to us new and creative ways
to come together in spirit and in solidarity.
Call us to profound trust in your faithful presence,
You, the God who does not abandon, You, the Holy One,
breathing within us,
breathing among us,
breathing around us
in our beautiful yet wounded world.

– Sisters of IHM, Scranton, Pennsylvania

My dear sisters in the league, we have all now been through months of the pandemic and I am sure that the isolationhas been hard on most of us. Not being able to meet with family, friends and go about our normal routine especiallyfor those staying alone cannot be easy. At the onset we want to remind you all that if ever any of you need help withanything or just someone to talk to, please feel free to call me or any of the executives. My number is 647-542-1274.

Over the months and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, certain issues have stood out even more and our Torontocouncil is asking members to do what they can in their own way. Below are some suggestions given by our TorontoCommunity Life Chair. Of course each of us can do what we can in our own way.

(a) Issues concerning Dignity and Rights of Persons – We all saw the terrible impact this had on Long-term health care facilities, shelters and living conditions of the migrant workers. We can monitor and speak by letter-writing to government and institutional leaders to ensure that better living accommodation is guaranteed to everyone in need 3of it.

(b) Racial Discrimination

Write and/or speak to your local politicians to seek answers as to why these intolerable behaviours occur against certain visible minority groups.
Reach Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy to better understand this issue.
Embrace inclusivity and diversity in our community
Promote racial inclusivity in the home, school and society.

(c) Loneliness – The social and physical distancing mandated by the government has been necessary, but thesemeasures have taken a toll on people causing anxiety and loneliness. We need to pray that life can go back to normalsoon where we can have that human in-person contact soon with family and friends. You can visit the following websites for some information and resources on the effect of COVID-19 on mental health: Canadian Institute ofHealth Research: COVID-19 and Mental Health (CMH) Initiative: https://covid19mentalhealthresearch.ca/wellness-resources/ and https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html

(d) Climate Change – Some websites that share strategies and ways to help mitigate climate change:
https://www.epa.gov/arc-x/strategies-climate-change-adaptation

As we try to navigate these trying times and overcome the challenges posed by the new health crisis of COVID-19, itis of utmost importance that we all do our part to both stay safe and keep others safe while doing our best to carry onwith our day to day lives.

Schools are reopening this fall, and the COVID-19 crisis poses a lot of challenges as we try to keep our children safe.Schools are reopening with restrictions in place to help keep both teachers and children safe, on which moreinformation can be found on the TDSB and TCDSB websites.

To stay safe ourselves, there are many simple measures we can take. All of us are now familiar with these measures.As tedious as it gets ,we must continue to follow the recommendations.

It is also important to care for one’s mental health during a stressful time such as a pandemic. Though we cannotmeet as before It is absolutely a time to (emotionally) lean on each other and support each other. Stay in touch,through phone calls and the many virtual platforms now available.

We are all well aware of the effect of this pandemic on the Long Term Care Homes, as suggested by ConnieCristinziano, Toronto Education and Health Chair, we must keep a watchful eye on Provincial Bill 175 regardingHome Care and Community services-a new bill which could change how home care is delivered.

Stay safe

During the summer we had a number of Keynote Speakers who delivered VIRTUAL Summer Speakers Series organized from the National Office in August.

Go to: www.cwl.ca and listen to their messages on the following topics:

Speaker: Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque, Associate Professor of Bioethics and Theological Ethics, University of Laval
- Topic: “Speak to the Earth and It Shall Teach You: On the Christian Vocation to Tend, Guard, and Heal”
Speaker: Dr. Donna Orsuto, Co-Founder and Director of The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome.
- Topic: “Women Together Caring for our Common Home”
Speaker: Sr. Nuala Kenny, O.C., M.D., F.R.C.P.C
- Topic: “Women and Healing Our Wounded Church”
Speaker: Fran Lucas, National President-Elect and Chairperson of Organization
- Topic: “The League of the Future: Part III”
Speaker: Anne-Marie Gorman, National President and Chairperson of International Relations
- Topic: “The League in 2020”

Go to the following websites often for current updates:

Toronto: www.cwltoronto.ca
Provincial: www.cwl.on.ca
National: www.cwl.ca

It certainly was an unexpected year for the 14 St Augustine Seminarians. Originally the Ordinandi were to beordained in May 2020, but with the Covid-19 restrictions the men were delayed seven weeks until June 27 th , 2020. Itis a blessing to the Archdiocese of Toronto that we have received seven of these men into our faith communities. Ifyou would like to read more about our new Ordinandi you may go online at: https://www.staugustines.on.ca/Also, under vocations are the Permanent Deacons, their Ordination has also been delayed due to Covid-19. CardinalCollins will Ordain seven candidates to the Permanent Diaconate on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at St. Michael’sCathedral Basilica. The Ordination will only include the wives and families in attendance due to Public Healthrestrictions.

Please pray for both our new Priests and Deacon’s.

Earlier this year the Apostolic Nuncio and the Immigration Minister were to meet to discuss a serious concernpertaining to the change of permanent resident status for clergy, religious sisters and brothers. Apparently, since2015 there seems to be a change in specific requirements necessary to gain permanent residence in Canada.Applications for permanent residences status is being turned down in record numbers for any religious orderapplications. The clergy, sisters and brothers are individuals who feel “Called to Serve”, to “Love” and “Pray” forGod’s Family and yet the politicians do not want them here. The Apostolic Nuncio wants to address this injusticewith the Minister of Immigration, but Covid-19 has prevented this from happening. You can make a difference bywriting the Immigration Minister marco.mendicino@parl.gc.ca or at his mailing address: Confederation BuildingSte. 20, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1A6

This year would have been an ELECTION year for our current executive for 2019-2020. The National Office hasextended this term of office until 2021. Reason for this is that Elections must be held in-person. We will be servingour council for one more year. Therefore, our CWL St. Joseph elections will take place next year in November 2021,for the incoming executive for 2022-2024. We need your support and prayers during this unprecedented time withthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Your prayers, membership, contribution and dedication to the work of the League is imperative. Encouraging you totake on a leadership position, when the time comes. Don’t be afraid. If you have questions give me a call.

WANTED!!! From within the St. Joseph CWL Council members:

Looking for someone with Excel skills who would be interested to be a backup as assistant for the OnlineAdministration of the annual membership renewals and general administration of membership. This is anonline process as well as detailed work dealing with all members. ASAP
Looking for any members who are interested in archival process. Review the current archives and makeimprovements for future. ASAP
Looking for members interested in home visits of our members who are not well or just need some company.This is something that we need to expand on as many of our members need to know that they are not alone.
Looking for someone to be involved in ways to market the League at St. Joseph. We need members who arecreative and forward thinking, looking to increase the profile and visibility of the CWL. What can we do?Any ideas are welcome.

If you feel called to anyone of the five areas above, please contact lucia.vacca@sympatico.ca.

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU MEMBERS ARE CRUTIAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE COUNCIL….WE NEED YOU TO BE ACTIVE AND ATTEND MEETINGS, MASSES, EVENTS, ETC…FOR OUR COUNCILTO CONTINUE THE JOURNEY OF SO MANY SISTERS BEFORE US.

Members have a responsibility too

Did you know that the National Manual of Policy and Procedures has a full page dedicated specifically on themembers responsibilities at meetings? Take a look at www.cwl.ca under https://cwl.ca/resources/600-series-manuals/On page 83. All about what the members responsibilities are at meetings, be present and active. This is our Council.

For your interest and knowledge building, become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of the executives:Section 5: Positions and Responsibilities of the Executive positions including the Spiritual Advisor.

Our Council needs you, the members, to become an active and committed to the support of the events and initiativesof the League to make a change and move forward into the future. Our Counsel at St. Joseph is now 67 years since itwas chartered in November 1953.

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

The CWL Book Club

C.W.L. Book Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Please contact: Jackie (416-266-4604) for more details. These are the books we will discuss:

Month	Book & Author	Year	Pages
Oct	A Gentleman in Moscow Amor Towles	2016	462p.

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 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 through Dr. Simone.
Collecting your used postage stamps being sent to Development & Peace and Dr. Simone.
We 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.

THERE IS A LARGE YELLOW BOX IN THE NARTHEX – Drop off your donations. Your support to the St. Joseph Refugee Outreach is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

CWL Newsletter 2020 Sep-Oct

2019-2020 Executive

A Message from the Spiritual Advisor – Fr. Oliver Iwuchukwu

A Message from the Presidents – Kim Deans and Marla Tanuan

Organization & Membership – Lucia Vacca

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

NEW SPECIAL COMMEMORATION PIN FOR THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE TORONTO DIOCESAN COUNCIL $10.00 each – if you are interested in ordering one call Lucia 416-283-3536