CWL Newsletter 2021 Mar-Apr
2019-2021 Executive Team
CO-PRESIDENT
Kim Deans
CO-PRESIDENT
Marla Tanuan
Organization & Membership
(Not Assigned)
Treasurer
Clare Gotera
Secretary
(Not Assigned)
Spiritual Development
Patricia Hall
Christian Family Life
(Not Assigned)
Community Life
Tania Mascarenhas
Communications
Ju-Ann Miranda
Education & Health
Cheryl Mascarenhas
Resolution & Legislation
(Not Assigned)
Past President & Historian
Lucia Vacca
Message from the Presidents – Kim Deans and Marla Tanuan
Hello Sisters,
It’s hard to believe that we are experiencing our second season of Lent during the pandemic. Some might feel that the idea of sacrifice when so many are being forced to give up so much, not by choice but by necessity. That would be looking at it in the wrong way. Lent is a time of testing and it calls all of us to go deep into spiritual purification. We need to allow the stress to give us a chance to see ourselves more clearly and to rise to the occasion. Lenten practices such as prayer, scripture reading and sacrifice can help with that. It’s easier than ever to view Daily mass since it is available at any time during the day on various sites on the internet (I like the Archdiocese of Toronto YouTube channel). For those of us who have not been affected by the economic hardships of the pandemic, the practice of almsgiving is especially important this year. There are so many charities that are hurting because their usual fundraising methods (such as our bazaar) are not available during the pandemic.
We were so happy to see so many of you in our last meeting. You don’t have to leave your home to see the faces and hear the voices of your sisters. Even if you don’t have access to a computer. You can join by phone. We’d love to ‘see’ you all.
Blessings,
Kim and Marla
Message from Spiritual Development – Patricia Hall
Prayer for Protection during the Coronavirus Pandemic
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
Our condolences to our sisters in the league who have had a death in their family
Eternal Rest, grant unto them and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May all the faithful departed rest in peace.
National Lenten Retreat Upcoming Webinar March 26, 2021
The Season of Lent “Every Season Has a Reason”
Presenter: Dr. Anne JamiesonExecutive Director of the Institute of Catholic Education in Ontario.
Click to register free of charge.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Mass
The League has booked a mass on the occasion of Our Lady of Good Counsel feast day, April 26th. Unfortunately, at this time, Loretto Abbey Chapel cannot have anyone present for the mass due to the pandemic. Members across Canada can view this mass on the Daily Mass.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Story and Novena April 18th to April 26th
Holy Virgin, moved by the painful uncertainty we experience in seeking and acquiring the true and the good, we cast ourselves at thy feet and invoke thee under the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel. We beseech thee: come to our aid at this moment in our worldly sojourn when the double darkness of error and of evil plot our ruin by leading minds and hearts astray.
Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the victims of doubt and of error so that they may not be seduced by evil masquerading as good; strengthen them against the hostile and corrupting forces of passion and of sin.
Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us our most urgent need….. (here mention your request) and secure for us from thy Divine Son the love of virtue and the strength to choose, in doubtful and difficult situations, the course agreeable to our salvation.
Supported by thy hand we shall thus journey without harm along the paths taught us by the word and example of Jesus our Savior, following the Sun of Truth and Justice in freedom and safety across the battlefield of life under the guidance of thy maternal Star, until we come at length to the harbor of salvation to enjoy with thee unalloyed and everlasting peace. Amen
Say the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, three times each.
Organization & Membership - Lucia Vacca
Organization & Membership - Lucia Vacca
Lorraine Pinto and Seanne Miranda
SCARBOROUGH REGION GENERAL MEETING
This will be held virtually on Thursday, March 25th join in to listen and meet your sisters from other councils as well as the Toronto Diocesan Council members. Information can be found on the www.cwltoronto.ca website and a flyer will be sent by email to register.
Vaccines: Faith and Science Working Together
All members are invited to this virtual presentation on Tuesday March 23, 2021 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Registration by March 21 to Shaila D’Souza Toronto Diocesan Council at shailaflavy@gmail.com a link will be forwarded to you.
National League Magazine
This magazine is sent to each paid-up member three times per year. National is encouraging members to read this online, in order to minimize costs in the production and distribution expenses. If you are not interested in receiving a hard copy of this magazine please call Lucia 416-283-3536 to remove you from the online administration database you can read it online go to https://cwl.ca/category/media/the-canadian-league/
A Message from National Office --- What Inspires You?
CWL members are women of action. They are champions of change and social justice. They are also part of a sisterhood that is over 70,000 members strong.
If you are inspired to live your faith and make a difference in your community and country go to www.cwl.ca to find out how you can join us!
Already a Member? National wants to hear from you – write your story
Tell Us Why! We want to hear your stories of Faith, Service and Social Justice.
Share your story by posting a selfie video or comment telling us why being a part of our sisterhood is fulfilling to you. Just use the hashtag #WhatsYourCWL
And don’t forget to follow us on social media
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada National Office: C-702 Scotland Ave. - Winnipeg, Manitoba
FUNDRAISING ITEM Tea towels for your kitchen stove. We most likely will not be able to have a Bazaar for 2021 and we are looking for ways to which we can continue with our council’s support for our parish and charities. Donations are always welcome. These tea towels have been donated by one of our members and if you wish to purchase we are selling them TWO for $5.00. There are a variety of colours. If interested call me at 416-283-3536
Message from Community Life – Tania Mascarenhas
Food Banks
Food banks need our help! Please donate money, not a package of pasta!
As household incomes shrink due to effects from the pandemic, food insecurity is becoming a way of life for a growing number of people. Families face harsh decisions as to how to spread their limited dollars on everyday needs such as housing, heating and electricity, medicine, clothing, transportation, and food. Food banks have seen a surge in people who are dependent on the food received to help them to get through another week, week after week.
Donations are the lifeblood of food banks. Please give generously to food banks. The question often is, “What should I give?” Money donations are the best option. Food banks can purchase in bulk to get discounts to get the best value for food. Importantly, food banks can purchase food that their clients need and want to meet dietary restrictions and which are culturally and age appropriate. Waste is minimized if appropriate food with future “Best Before” dates is purchased by the food bank.
Please donate to the St. Joseph’s Church food bank by giving cash or a cheque and indicate your Donation Envelope number with your donation. Or, please give to any local food bank. The need is all around us.
(Contributed by: Denise Bacon St. Joseph CWL member)
Nominate a Scarborough Hero
Individual, Group, Business or Organization living or working in Scarborough! For more information please visit: www.scarbtohero.com. The leaders of Centennial College, Scarborough Health Network (SHN), Toronto Zoo and University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) are launching the Scarborough Hero Awards. These awards will recognize those who have gone above and beyond to serve the local community in very substantive and impactful ways. Community members are invited to nominate a #ScarbTOHero deserving recognition for the extraordinary actions they have taken in the past year to support the community during COVID-19.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Members of Parliament to support motions in the House to recognize February 22, 2021 as Canada’s first National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. For more information on this go to https://cwl.ca/communique-20-community-life/
Message from Education & Health - Cheryl Mascarenhas
Dear Sisters in the League,
I hope all of you are keeping well and staying safe and healthy in 2021. Self-care is crucial at this time, as taking care of oneself is an important part of navigating these times. Try to get enough sleep, eat healthy, do things you enjoy, exercise, and lean on social supports when you need them.
A big part of taking care of oneself is getting the right nutrition. The month of March is celebrated as nutrition month – dedicated to the importance of finding the right nutrition for oneself. This year, the nutrition month campaign emphasizes that healthy eating looks different for everyone, and that personal culture, tradition, circumstances, and nutritional needs all contribute to what could make a healthy diet. Canada’s food guide encourages Canadians to eat meals with others, eat home-cooked food more often, and include various cultures and traditions as part of your dietary habits. Canada’s food guide is available online at their website https://food-guide.canada.ca and has resources in over 31 languages and a newsletter that can help you navigate the world of nutrition.
Finally, it is also important to pay attention to what we nourish our minds with, not just our bodies. Just as the food we eat can affect our physical health, our mental and spiritual health is affected by the things we feed our minds with.
Here are a few things we can do to help our mental health. We can pay attention to what sources we get information and news from – is it reliable? Pay attention to effect that the media you consume has on your mental and spiritual health – consuming appropriate information can help curb a sense of fear or stress. And of course, it is always important to get help if one’s feels that mental health is suffering – just like we go to a doctor when we feel our physical health is suffering. Your doctor can help you find mental health supports and direct you to resources that will help you.
COVID-19 is a crisis that has changed our world, but we can continue to choose kindness. Be kind to yourself – take a break when you need it, and do things that you enjoy. Accept the kindness of others – appreciate when other people are kind to you and accept their support. And be kind to others – you never know what someone is going through. In times like these, it is normal and valid to feel whatever you may be feeling – sad, angry, numb, or anything else. Talking to someone you trust can help.
Times may feel stressful right now, but we must have faith that it will get better. Let us all continue to do the best we can, and slowly but surely we will find our new normal once more.
Message from Communications – Ju-Ann Miranda
National
www.cwl.ca
Provincial
www.cwl.on.ca
Toronto
www.cwltoronto.ca
Parish Website
www.stjosephstoronto.org
CWL Websites as your resources
For upcoming events also check us out on Facebook: CWL St. Joseph Highland Creek and REMEMBER to view these websites on CWL WEB WEDNESDAY!
This is new – National – TO INSPIRE – Youtube
The National has created a new portion to their website called TO INSPIRE – take a look at the new section on the National Website www.cwl.ca Called TO INSPIRE – https://cwl.ca/to-inspire/ A new way of introducing what the League is all about and to reaffirm why you are a member. Take a look at all the Youtube videos at the bottom of the page.
To learn all about The Catholic Women’s League and the reason as to why you are a member, visit the CWL YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7AvXpLoMjQIIZsSaeFuSA/featured
You can follow the CWL updates on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Be Inspired!
Message from Christian Family Life
Ordinandi Spiritual Offerings from CWL members of St. Joseph
Masses: 1,494 Communions: 1,105 Rosaries: 1,077 Eucharistic Adorations: 14 Visits to the Blessed Sacrament: 139 Stations of the Cross: 119 Sacrifice: 100 Prayers: 3,147 Other: 154 TOTAL: 7,349 Thank you so much for your spiritual contributions to the seven men who will soon be ordained.
Go to www.archtoronto.org to see the event virtually.
Message from Resolution & Legislation
Ordinandi Spiritual Offerings from CWL members of St. Joseph
The Catholic Register front page highlighted the National resolution 2019.02
Canadian Support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Legislation This resolution was presented at our Toronto Diocesan Council in 2019 May Convention and was accepted to move to the Provincial level (accepted) and then moved to the National of the same year. Our collective voices for social justice need to be heard. Continue to advocate for this change.
Take a look at the National www.cwl.ca To INSPIRE – Youtubes, especially: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=YqCQv_LxamU&feature=emb_logo
Read the following National Communique https://cwl.ca/communique-19-community-life/ for additional information on this very important resolution and for our action to make a change.
Taken from the Communique
At the time of the resolution, Canada had not signed the treaty. The League resolved to urge the federal government to join the nations that had signed. An article, “It’s a landmark day for nuclear disarmament, but an awkward one for the federal government” from CBC News released the following information on January 22, 2021.
Today is an extraordinary day for humanity. Yet it is an awkward moment for Canada.
At midnight the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force. For the 51 countries that have already ratified it, developing and possessing nuclear weapons is now illegal. The treaty requires ratifying nations to, “never under any circumstances… develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.”
Beyond making weapons that have always been immoral now also illegal for nations that have joined the treaty, it requires signatories to promote nuclear abolition. Similar to the landmine and cluster-bomb treaties, the TPNW seeks to stigmatize the stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons in the hopes of changing the behaviour of all nations, including non-signatories.
The pressure is not only directed at the state level. It is also aimed at companies, universities and other institutions that enable nuclear weapons development, research and production.
Yet despite stating that it is committed to nuclear disarmament, Canada’s federal government has refused to sign the TPNW.”
For the full article, visit cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-tpnw-treaty-canada-1.5882158
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
To find out more on the Bill C-7 go to https://www.epcc.ca/ Canada’s Senate Passed Bill C-7 with Amendments. Go to this website and read the EPC February newsletter for details.
Message from Past President & Historian – Lucia Vacca
Patricia Beattie Annual Memorial Mentoring Award
The Patricia Beattie Mentoring Award is an award to honour all those special dedicated women of The League that have through their knowledge and active encouragement, promoted growth in other members in The League. Awards to be announced at the 2021 Toronto Diocesan Convention, nominations must be received by April 3rd, 2021. For further information and forms go to this link https://www.cwltoronto.ca/index.php/forms
National Strategic Planning Update
In keeping all of you informed, the National website www.cwl.ca has on the home page a section dedicated on the new Strategic Plan which is updated monthly to keep members across the country in the know of the steps and actions the various teams are working on. Your participation is also valued and when you are asked to do a survey, please do so. You have a say in the future of the League. https://cwl.ca/implementation-of-the-strategic-plan/
May Our Lady of Good Counsel encourage you to be inspired and committed to serve “God and Canada”.
Our members have been busy during this time making milk bag mats and pneumonia vests
CWL Book Club
The 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 discussing
| Month | Book | Author | Year | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | The Dutch House | Ann Patchet | 2019 | 337p. |
| April | Where the Crawdads Sing | Delia Owens | 2018 | 370p. |
| May | Before We Were Yours | Lisa Wingate | 2017 | 352p. |
| June | The Giver of Stars | Jojo Moyes | 2019 | 390p. |
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
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
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
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:
- Donations of extra blank cards and birthday cards are welcomed and appreciated.
- Donations of your extra Rosaries or Religious items are welcomed.
- We are also collecting egg cartons for the Food bank
- 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 for you 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. Donations can be dropped off in the Narthex ‘Yellow Box – Food Bank’. Or Call 416-283-3536
B.I.B.L.E. - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
A LITTLE STORY
I spent an hour in the bank with my dad, as he had to transfer some money. I couldn’t resist myself and asked…
‘Dad, why don’t we activate your internet banking?
Why would I do that? He asked…
Well, then you won’t have to spend an hour here for things like transfer. You can even do your shopping online. Everything will be so easy!
I was so excited about initiating him into the world of Net banking.
He asked, ”If I do that, I won’t have to step out of the house?”
“Yes, yes”! I said. I told him how even grocery can be delivered at door now and how amazon delivers everything!
His answer left me tongue-tied. He said ”Since I entered this bank today, I have met four of my friends, I have chatted a while with the staff who know me very well by now. You know I am alone…this is the company that I need. I like to get ready and come to the bank. I have enough time, it is the physical touch that I crave.
Two years back I got sick, The store owner from whom I buy fruits, came to see me and sat by my bedside and cried. When your Mom fell down few days back while on her morning walk. Our local grocer saw her and immediately got his car to rush her home as he knows where I live. Would I have that ‘human’ touch if everything became online? Why would I want everything delivered to me and force me to interact with just my computer? I like to know the person that I’m dealing with and not just the ‘seller’.
It creates bonds of Relationships.
Does Amazon deliver all this as well?
Technology isn’t life…
Spend time with people … Not with devices
— Writer: Unknown
DATES TO REMEMBER
| March 8 (Monday) | General Meeting 7:00 p.m. VIRTUAL |
| March 19 (Friday) | Feast of St. Joseph |
| March 23 (Tuesday) | Vaccines: Faith and Science Working Together – Dr. Moira McQueen to register send email to shailaflavey@gmail.com Virtual event 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. |
| March 25 (Thursday) | Scarborough Region/North York Region General Meeting 7:00 p.m. – this is a combined meeting on zoom. Contact: Kim 416-206-6341 to register your email address to be allowed into the meeting |
| March 26 (Friday) | National Webinar speaker Dr. Anne Jamieson go to www.cwl.ca to register free Virtual event 12 to 1:30 p.m. “Every Season Has a Reason” go to the link below to register https://cwl.ca/every-season-has-a-reason-registration.../ |
| April 3 (Saturday) | TDC Deadline for nomination to the Patricia Beattie Memorial Award |
| April 4 (Sunday) | Easter |
| April 12 (Monday) | General Meeting 7:00 p.m. VIRTUAL |
| April 18 to April 26 | Novina to Our Lady of Good Counsel |
| April 26 (Monday) | Feast Day for Our Lady of Good Counsel – Mass celebration will be on TV Daily Mass |
| May 10 (Monday) | General Meeting 7:00 p.m. VIRTUAL |