Catholic Women's League of Saskatchewan

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National Convention Report - 2010


Tillie Aessie


The 90th annual national convention was held on August 8th to 11th 2010 in our Nations capital City of Ottawa.


We were pleasantly greeted by many hostesses at the Hotel and convention registration room. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. One lady asked if we had our lunch yet, and we said no. She than told us about the Tim Horton’s that was on the ground floor, just around the corner from the gift shop. The five people from the Saskatoon group had lunch there and spent two hours just chatting and catching up on all the news until our rooms were ready. It proved to be a very popular place for the rest of the week.


For the Saturday night entertainment, bus loads of people went for a Starlight Dinner Cruise down the Ottawa River and enjoyed a nice buffet dinner and entertainment on board. The other buses went to the Ottawa casino and B.B.Q. buffet. When we arrived, City Police were all over the place because there was an important celebrity singing at the race track Bandstand. Most of us had received casino coupons in our convention packages so we tried our hand at the slots. Some people were lucky to break even, some lost and some even made money, but not much. There was also a real good singing group entertaining at the Casino. On our return back to the hotel we were treated with a fireworks display that could be seen from across the city, and also from the Ottawa River cruise.


On Sunday afternoon I attended the resolutions dialogue. Only two resolutions were studied and would be presented later on during the week. There were about 200 members present who discussed and suggested amendments. I was happy that our resolution on chrysotile asbestos had been accepted as one to be presented on the floor.


We arrived at St. Patrick’s Basilica in downtown Ottawa with Canada’s parliament buildings in the background for the grand opening Eucharistic celebration. It was raining outside (most of us used our Regina convention umbrella- they sure came in handy) but it didn’t dampen the spirit of our 700 plus members gathered together for spiritual growth and camaraderie as we celebrated Bellelle Guerin’s vision for the league. What a wonderful sight when flags representing all provinces and the Territories were carried in by our presidents at the opening procession. Dignitaries welcomed us all. A wonderful, plentiful delicious reception was held at one of the large funeral homes in the Italian sector of the City. It was still raining and very humid when the buses came to pick us up to return to the convention hotel.


Monday morning (Gathering Day) The Saskatchewan Group dressed in 1920 costumes for the entire day. We sure received strange looks as we walked through the Hotel. I guess they hadn’t seen that many “Flappers” in a group before. The day started with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Most Reverend Daniel J. Bohan. After our National President Danielle McNeil-Hessian formally welcomed everyone, Dr. Nuala Kenny an Ethics and Policy advisor was introduced as our convention speaker. She explored the gospel of hope in the church and in our challenged world. She said and I quote ”You have within you, because of your participation within the church, special blessings…And when we define hope it is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of God and eternal life, we place our trust in God’s promises and rely not on our own strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” This definition comes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church l992. She also stated that Hope avoids despair, and Hope helps us to avoid presumption. She continued her talk by reflecting on the crisis within the church, she challenged laity and faithful clergy alike to take action and commit to a healing dialogue.” End of Quote. Dr. Kenny affirmed all women in their giftedness so desperately needed by the church today.


After the morning health break we were treated to a one act play called The Servant at the Supper performed by Eleanor Glenn. Her play captured the emotion and expression of Pelethia (a fictitious character), whose father owned the house where the last supper took place, and where she baked the bread, poured the wine and saw Jesus. She witnessed all the events of the Passion. This was truly awe inspiring and touching.


For lunch we met with National Executive offices according to our standing committee chair, to learn more about the workings of that particular chair position.


In the afternoon, the business sessions began, all the provincial presidents gave their reports as well as the National President.


Monday evening was a blast. We started out with a wonderful Buffet supper and enjoyed the Ottawa Valley entertainment group. This was hilarious. A group of women dressed up as Mounties and performed the “Miserable Ride” A take off on the Mounties Musical Ride. We laughed so hard. The horses also left a few “droppings” on the floor. Some people picked them up and tossed them around. One even landed on the table where Arch Bishop Bohan was sitting. After that show, we had a young lady perform an Irish dance. The evening’s entertainment finished with dancing, the ladies had a real swinging good time.


Tuesday morning started with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Most Reverend Michael J. Miller archbishop of Vancouver. Business sessions continued and closed the morning with the Spiritual advisors luncheon/workshop, and the Honorary Life/life Members luncheon. More reports were given to complete the rest of the day. National council adopted two resolutions. To ban the mining of chrysotile asbestos and the second for the federal government to implement a tax credit for children’s participation in arts and cultural activities equal to the tax credit available for fitness activities.


The evening was set aside for the Provincial Dinners. 28 people from Saskatchewan went to a quaint restaurant called “Mother Theresa’s (mainly Greek food). The food was great and the ambience charming. After the dinner about 9 pm Fr. Weckend, Chantal Divine and I walked to the Parliament Buildings and took in a fabulous light show about the history of Canada reflecting off the walls of the building. There must have been at least 3000 people there. They have these shows every evening during the summer months for the tourists. It was a good hike back to the hotel, but the evening was warm and beautiful.


After the morning liturgy on Wednesday Mary Nordick gave a presentation on her trip to Africa as part of the CCODP Bishops mission. She had us waving colored flags to the beat of an African Drum and chanting. It was very effective because it set the tone for the whole presentation. We saw a video of her trip in Zambia, and Burundi. Mary said she met CWL women there (they started a CWL in 1906 and their main work is with an obstetrics ward in the hospital. She wants us to tell our people about the people of Africa - the women want their voices heard.


The closing Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Martin Currie at Notre Dame Cathedral basilica, Ottawa’s oldest church which is right across the street from the Ottawa Art Gallery. National officers accepted with faith their call to lead the League for 2010- 2012. A gala banquet brought the convention to a close.


Throughout the business sessions members wore period clothing representing the fashion eras of the past nine decades.


I have many small gifts, prayer cards and even a crotched rosary in a little pouch as a reminder of the wonderful time spent in Ottawa.


This ends my report.