Timmins Diocesan Catholic Womens League of Canada at Box 81, Englehart, ON P0J 1H0 CA

Timmins Diocesan Catholic Women's League of Canada at Box 81, Englehart, ON P0J 1H0 CA - A Spring Blessing

A Spring Blessing

Blessed are you, spring, bright season of life awakening.

You gladden our hearts with opening buds and returning leaves

As you put on your robes of splendor.

Blessed are you, spring. In you is a life no death can destroy.

As you exchange places with winter you harbor no unforgiving spirit

For broken tree limbs and frozen buds.

Blessed are you, spring. You open the closed buds of our despair

As you journey with us to the flowering places.

Blessed are you, spring. You invite us to sing songs

To the frozen regions within and to bless the lessons of winter

As we become your partner in a new dance.

Blessed are you, spring. Like Jesus, standing before the tomb of Lazarus,

You call to us: “Remove winter’s stone, come out,

there is life here you have not yet tasted.”

Blessed are you, spring, free gift of the earth.

Without cost we gaze upon your glory.

You are a gospel of good news for the poor and rich alike.

Blessed are you, spring. Your renewing rain showers and cathartic storms

Nurture the potential that sleeps in Earth’s heart and in our own earthen hearts.

Blessed are you, spring, season of resurrection, sacrament of promise.

Like Jesus you rise up out of the darkness, leaving around you a wake of new life.

Blessed are you, spring, miracle child of the four seasons.

With your wand of many colors you work magic in the corners of our darkness.

Blessed are you, spring, season of hope and renewal.

Wordless poem about all within us that can never die.

Each year you amaze us with the miracle of returning life.

From The Circle of Life

By Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr

Hello and Happy 2013! I have three months left as chair of this standing committee. It has been a great learning experience and very rewarding. There are so many important issues it would be easy to get discouraged and give up. However, God calls us to do what we can, to do our part to contribute to a better society, locally and globally, to bring about change for the better. There are so many opportunities within this standing committee to show love for our neighbour. To those who have much, much is expected.

Sources:

a) Verna Lynn – Directive #5

b) Verna Lynn – Tips for Compiling Annual Reports

c) The Catholic Register d) national and provincial websites

e) Verna Lynn – Alliance Against Modern Slavery hosting conference

f) Verna Lynn – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Annual Reports

Thank you for sending me your report outlining what you and your parish did under community life.

The information I received from provincial with tips for compiling annual reports is a valuable resource that I found extremely useful in doing my annual report for provincial. It emphasized that "community life looks at providing community support, not individual support."

Development and Peace

- received information about the Share Lent campaign – encouraged to support parish initiatives

October, D&P announced fall education program – focus on international development, importance of assistance and foreign aid

website – discussion document outlining why "more than ever, the world needs our solidarity"; document with questions and answers on international development

Year of Refugees

"Toronto set to welcome hundreds of new arrivals" The Catholic Register – January 6, 2013

a) Frustration mounts in refugee waiting game – Toronto parishes are ready to welcome up to 700 new refugees, quote, "parishes reached out to rescue Iraqi Christians who had been expelled from homes, neighbourhoods and villages where they had lived for centuries." - because of war in Syria, wait times for refugees have increased to two or more years

b) "Refugee reforms challenged" The Catholic Register, Jan.6, 2013 - being challenged in courts

First Nation People

"First Nations' MP seeks to amend Indian Act", "Most native leaders want Indian Act repealed", Aboriginal Caucus chair finds vocation in law-making"- The Catholic Register January 27, 2013

-MP Robert Clarke, member of Saskatchewan's Muskeg Lake First Nation, former RCMP officer, now

member of Conservative Aboriginal Caucus – put forth private member's bill C-428 which could lead to major updating of Indian Act

Clarke says, "The federal government has put billions of dollars into education, fresh water and waste water treatment and housing...sometimes it is difficult to find where those dollars end up actually

helping people on reserves."

- again Clarke says, "many First Nations are already operating with new agreements with the federal government and experiencing great success in building businesses and employing not only their own people but people in surrounding areas."

"We're all flawed" Michael Coren, The Catholic Register, Jan.27, 2013 – comments on aboriginal situation in Canada; comments on statement made by Theresa Spence's aid, Danny Metatawabin, when he spoke to CTV and said Theresa and her protest are similar to the birth of Jesus because it will change the world

News from National Community Life Chair

national website – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) approved changing the name National Day of Prayer for Aboriginal People, on December 12 (feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe) to National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
2013 Themes:

We Have Seen the Lord

As People of Faith – provincial theme diocesan theme

Walking in the Light of Jesus –

- appropriate themes to coincide with Year of Faith
as people of faith, can share our stories

can ask ourselves, "How are we encountering Jesus through this standing committee? How are we responding to issues in society because of our encounter?

Holy Land Coordination Final Communique 2013

communique issued by Bishops who participated in Holy Land Coordination meeting January

5 – 10, 2013

theme of 2013 annual meeting, "Suffering and vulnerable people in the Holy Land"meeting attended by President of CCCB, Archbishop Richard Smith, accompanied by Mr. Carl Hetu, National Secretary of Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA)- Canada

read more on CCCB website www.cccb.ca

This info from Verna also put on Timmins Diocesan website

National Resolutions (National Community Life Chairperson)

225 archived resolutions relating to community life dated as far back as1920

23 resolutions still classified as current

challenged to find two current resolutions of greatest need or interest and follow through with action -check national website for resolutions

National Workshop on "Community Life and Social Teaching"

workshop on social justice available on national website under community life

has a script to assist in presentation

encouraged to use workshop

Human Trafficking

Update on fight against human trafficking – Joy Smith Foundation established to assist victims to start their lives again and build a better future; a non profit organization; donations go to victims and NGOs that take care of them; The Catholic Register, November 11, 2012, page3, quote, "The foundation is a follow-up to the federal government's National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking announced in June 2012."

"National Human Trafficking Awareness Day" – February 22
two possibilities mentioned in email – moment of silence at specific time of day, on Feb.22, and pray for all those suffering from human trafficking (victims and perpetrators); use attached prayer service (has more suggestions included)use Trafficking of Women and Children workshop for Parish Councils (previously given to all councils) – if want to use it and can't find it in community life materials, let me know and I'll send you a copy
"Alliance Against Modern Slavery"

-hosting 3^rd annual conference Modern Slavery in Ontario and the World – Toronto, February 23, registration $10.00 (perhaps interested if in Toronto at that time)

- get more info about conference on info@allianceagainstmodernslavery.org – also a valuable resource for more info on slavery and human trafficking

Please let me know the following:

a) What do you and your council plan to do about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day?

b) At monthly meetings, do members donate 1% of their luxury expenses to D&P? At the end of the year, does your council calculate 1% of money raised during the year and give it to D & P?

c) Did your council watch the D&P power point presentation, 1% Can Make a Difference"? (shown at diocesan convention)

Thanks, in advance, for letting me know. Thanks, also, for your service in this standing committee and keeping your members informed. God Bless. Marie

-good if all parish councils in the diocese could do something at the February general meeting and/or February 22

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I’m forwarding the latest email from the CCCB concerning the Holy Land Coordination Final Communiqué 2013. The report of the meeting was “issued by the Bishops participating in the Holy Land Coordination meeting that was held from January 5 to 10, 2013.” Click on the 2013 annual meeting link below to read the full document.
Verna Bergeron Provincial Community Life Chair

Holy Land Coordination Final Communiqué 2013

From January 5 to 10, 2013, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Most Reverend Richard Smith, Archbishop of Edmonton, participated in the annual meeting of the International Coordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land. It involves representatives from Conferences of Bishops in Europe and North America who meet with the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (AOCTS). Archbishop Smith was accompanied by Mr. Carl Hétu, National Secretary of CNEWA-Canada. The theme of the 2013 annual meeting was “Suffering and vulnerable people in the Holy Land”.

Poverty is the focus of this directive. You might notice some repetition, but I think it is valid.

Sources –

a) Verna Lynn Bergeron, Provincial Community Life Chairperson, Directive #5

b) Verna Lynn – Trillium News and Views Spring 2012, Community Life Report

c) Verna Lynn - Trillium News and Views Fall 2012, Community Life Report

d) Verna Lynn - Annual Report 2011, Community Life Report

e) Verna Lynn – Oral Report 2012 Provincial Convention

f) Catholic Register

In the 2011 Annual Report book, Verna Lynn listed the following recommendations for her standing committee:

1) That councils continue to study legislation and resolutions relating to dignity and rights of persons, and follow their action plans with letter writing.

2) That chairpersons get to know their MPPs and MPs and dialogue with them.

3) Have workshops on how to prepare annual reports; use bullet formatting under each community life heading.

4) That councils purchase Living Justice: A Gospel Response to Poverty, published by Citizens for Public Justice.

5) That councils become familiar with the five-year campaign of Development and Peace

Poverty in Canada

Living Justice: A Gospel Response to Poverty – an ecumenical workshop and action guide on poverty and justice in Canada - publication ordered www.cpj.ca/

or phone 1-800-667-8046, cost approximately $13.25 per copy – also available is the Living Justice Bible Study – articles on the website, Dignity For All – The Campaign For a Poverty Free Canada, Counting the Cost of Our Carbon, etc.

Article in Catholic Register June 24^th, 2012 – Politicians set aside partisan politics to tackels poverty – “The House of Commons and Senate have launched the all-party Anti-Poverty Caucus to examine ways to fight poverty across Canada.”

Development and Peace

Guest speaker, Luke Stocking, gave an inspiring talk at the provincial convention this past summer. He spoke about the impact recent cuts by CIDA will have on the people and countries included in their 5 year plan and emphasized that D and P appreciates and

values CWL support. I sincerely hope your council is supporting the 1% Fund. The money funds projects that empower women in their struggle against poverty and injustice. At the diocesan convention this year, we viewed a presentation, “1% Can Make a Difference”. I gave the information on how to access it on the National website, but I will give it again. It doesn’t take long and would be great for a meeting. Go to the National website, click on the Archive section and scroll down to December 2011 and you’ll find it.

Catholic Register articles: a) July 1-8, ‘3D’ decision-making helps D&P make decisions on overseas partners, and “Petitions keep up pressure to restore CIDA funding

b) October 7, 2012, Development and Peace, bishops continue close collaboration

Church Council on Justice and Corrections(CCJC)

Catholic Register article, October 7, 2012 – Justice council making a difference for 40 years – It is a coalition of multiple Christian groups including the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada. “They lobby for a more community based, restorative process of justice that welcomes ex-inmates back into society. It opposed the death penalty in the 1980s, and more recently, the tough-on-crime Bill C-10.”

Private member’s Bill C-304

Catholic Register article, June 17, 2012 – Rights league applauds decision to repeal controversial Section 13 (freedom of speech)

Catholic Missions in Canada

Catholic Register article, October 7, 2012 – Two Bishops tell students tales of Catholic life up North

At the diocesan convention this past May, we viewed the DVD “Apostle of the North”.

Any council is welcome to borrow it from me. It runs for about 30 minutes.

Human Trafficking, a form of modern day slavery

In Verna Lynn’s oral report, she stated, “Poverty is one of its root causes. There are 27 million slaves in the world today, with annual revenues reaching 32 billion dollars. An estimated 2 million people are trafficked yearly, and 98% are women and children.

12 000 to 15 000 people are trafficked to, and through, Canada annually. Recently the biggest human trafficking case in Canadian history took place in Hamilton. At least 19 victims were recruited from Hungary with the promise of good work. That promise was a lie. Once in Canada, they became victims of the slave trade. Currently there are 56 cases before the courts, with 136 victims coming forward. Our government has launched a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. As well, Bill C-310, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Trafficking in Persons) received Royal Assent on June 28^th.”

Catholic Register article, July 1-8, 2012 – Anti-human trafficking bill passes into law

We are encouraged to learn how to recognize victims of trafficking. If you have suspicions, call 9-1-1 or the local police or Crime Stoppers’ National Tip Line if you wish to remain anonymous.

We need to educate ourselves on this issue so we can make a difference and help these victims.

Suggested readings - Victor Malarek’s The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade; The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It; Invisible Chains, Canada’s underground World of Human Trafficking.

Verna Lynn created a package on Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking Awareness. The goal of the presentation is to provide information/facts, create awareness among our members and ultimately affect change in our communities, country and the world. Part 1 is awareness of child sexual abuse, and Part 2 is awareness of human trafficking. The presentation could be done in one session with a guest speaker or it could be done in two sessions with a guest speaker for each topic. If you are interested, let me know and I’ll get the presentation to you. It is well laid out and would be very worthwhile. I brought the presentation to the diocesan meeting to show the parish presidents and executive.

National Resolution 2012-01 Criminalization of the Purchasing of Sexual Services – It was passed at the national convention in August. We are encouraged to write letters to the federal government urging it to support the adoption of the Nordic Model. Check the fall League magazine and the national website for more information.

Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA)

CNEWA is a specialized Vatican agency that serves the churches and peoples of the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. It was started in 1926 by Pope Pius XI and continues today. We have heard and read about the difficulties and persecution Christians have encountered in the Holy Land. The area is at risk of losing its Christian heritage. Upon the invitation of the Holy See, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops opened a CNEWA office in Ottawa in 2005. The priority is to provide humanitarian and pastoral assistance to the Christians of the Middle East and to advocate respect for human dignity, justice, peace and understanding among all peoples.

The National CWL Council approved an international poverty project in the Holy Land called Velma’s Dream. At the provincial convention in July, Velma Harassen, our then National President, spoke about this project and asked for our support to provide education for Christians in the Holy Land. More information can be found on the National website.

In the Spring 2012 provincial newsletter, Verna Lynn listed ways members can give financial support. Whatever way we choose to give, we are asked to specify that the donation is for the CWL Holy Land Project.

Phone: 1-866-322-4441 or go to www.cnewa.ca or mail a cheque to CNEWA Canada at CNEWA Canada, 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa ON K1H 6K9

We can also support these Christians with our prayers.

Some things we can do:

1. Plan on using the workshop and/or presentation on child sexual abuse and human trafficking. You can even invite other councils.

2. In your council, view 1% Can Make a Difference and support D&P 1% Fund.

3. Encourage support of D&P and CNEWA. Both organizations provide hope and assistance in meeting the basic needs of refugees and the poor.

4. Show the DVD Apostle of the North.

5. At each meeting, report on one or two of the items in this directive. You will be keeping your council informed. Perhaps there will be someone interested in reading and reporting on one of the books or articles. Or, you might know someone who does not attend meetings who would be interested.

6. Write letters.

7. Check out Verna Lynn’s recommendations and see what you can do with them.

8. Pray.

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given – a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” St. Francis of Assisi (taken from Verna Lynn’s Directive #5)

May God bless you and Our Lady of Good Counsel guide you in your role as parish community life chairperson. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Marie