Spiritual Communique #1 September 11, 2023

Dear Sisters in the League and Fr. Mike,

It is with joy that I accepted the Chair of Faith at our Diocesan Convention held in Victoria.   I look forward to our journey together for 2023 – 2025.   For those of you who do not know me, I have been a member of the League for 40 years at St. Peter’s Parish, Nanaimo.     I held the position of Diocesan Spiritual Development Chairperson beginning in 2014.

Many changes in the way the League is structured have taken place since that time.   We all have been part of the process and the end result is very exciting.    

Victoria Oppertshauser is the Faith Committee Chairperson for BC & Yukon and her first Communique reminds us to:

“Know our Responsibilities

• Spiritual growth of members

• Study of Catholic teachings

• Role of women in the church

• Evangelization and mission assistance

• Lay ministries

• Ecumenism and inter-faith endeavors

• Vocations

Suggestions

•   Download or print the resources for Faith chairpersons at www.cwl.ca such as:

• Handbook for Chairpersons of Faith, Service and Social Justice #614

• Toolkit for Faith (Printable Documents) #640 A

• Toolkit for Faith (Workshop PowerPoint) #640B, and

• 6 or more Faith -related manuals

• Your council determines the topics and/or activities it would like to work on for

the year, then your committee along with the other 2 standing committees

could develop a coordinated approach to making an action plan. Each

committee has its own responsibilities, but they overlap.

• Create a sub-committee so the work is distributed.

• Provincial, diocesan and parish councils are refreshingly unique and find

distinct ways of doing things. And so, see what works best for your councils

then share your successes and even your difficulties with other councils in

your diocese. They may benefit from the information. Keep the lines of

communication open.

Reminder:

Let’s continue to pray for our clergy and find new ways to show them our appreciation for the work they do in our parishes and for the League. St. Charles

Borromeo, patron saint of seminarians, priests, bishops, and religious leaders feast day is on the 4th of November.

Also, please keep more accurate records of your councils’ departed members. Every sister and spiritual advisor should be accounted for and remembered in our Book of Life.”

I look forward to seeing you all at the Fall Interim meeting at Church of the Ascension Council, Parksville, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to bless you in all that you do for God and Canada.

Kathy Fadum

Spiritual Communique #5

Date: February 25, 2023 Communique #5

From:  Gerry Heywood: Spiritual Chair, Victoria Diocesan Council

Dear Sisters & Father Mike:

I’d like to share a conversation I had with my husband a couple of days ago.

We were having coffee at the kitchen table one morning when he told me “Mary phoned yesterday”.

I asked, “Mary who?”

Husband, “I don’t know. Someone named Mary. Must be someone you know.”

I sat there trying to think. Finally, I replied, “You do know I’m Catholic, don’t you?”

Husband, “What’s that got to do with it?”

I answered, “At least half the woman I know are Marys or have Mary somewhere in their names!”

That made me realize how much an impact our Catholic faith has on us. Even I, who only came into the Church at age 16 have Mary as part of my middle name. One way or another, we live our Catholic faith daily, even if it’s only by the mundane act of signing our names.

So, now my most Catholic Sisters and Friends, I come to the point of my communique. It is Lent; a time of action and reflection on the gifts of Good Friday and Easter Morning. I know that you do a lot more than just turn up for Sunday Mass. You say your Rosary, walk the Stations of the Cross, attend weekday mass, engage in works of charity, support one another and strangers in their times of struggle and a lot more besides. As the pagans used to say of you, “See how they love one another.” I am also convinced that God will say of you, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

Well, I know I can’t top our Father’s Words but I really would like to recommend a couple of programs to help you along in your Catholic faith. But, then again, you may already be doing them.

May I recommend “The Bible in a Year” and “The Catechism in a Year” from Ascension Press? You can listen as Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible and the entire Catholic catechism each in 365 episodes. (Don’t ask about leap year.) He provides commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. And it’s all free! And, you can listen or watch them tucked into your warm bed or any other time of day or night! And, “The Catechism in a Year” only takes around fifteen minutes to do and the “Bible” no more than thirty although most episodes are much shorter.

Personally, I have gained greater insight into the mass and sacraments through these programs. They have also helped me to put into words what I believe. So, you see, social media isn’t all bad.

You can find both the “Bible in a Year” and the “Catechism in a Year” just by entering these titles in your computer’s search bar. You know, the seek and you shall find computer method.

In closing, I wish all of you and your families a wonderful Easter season and see you in church.

Gerry Heywood

CWL Spiritual Chair: Diocese of Victoria

Spiritual Communique #3

The Catholic Women’s League of Canada

Diocese of Victoria

“Sow Love Generously”

President:   Laurel Phyall     Spiritual Advisor: To Be Announced 

Date: June 23, 2022 Spiritual Communique #3

From: Gerry Heywood, Diocese of Victoria CWL Spiritual Chairperson

Dear Sisters in the CWL and all the brothers who aid us in our work:

This is my third communique as Spiritual Chair, here, in the Diocese of Victoria. I have to apologize for being so slow off the mark in writing to you but I have been sooooo busy with the work of the CWL as well as my family and social life. For example, I spent one and a half days last Friday and Saturday attending (virtually) our Provincial Council’s Annual Members Meeting. I race to keep up with all the “good works” I’m doing and . . . .

Hold it right there. There’s something wrong. There’s something missing. Yep. I hope I finally figured it out; Talking to God. I’m not taking enough time out to chat with my Father and listen to what he has to say to me. I missed the point of our new motto: “Catholic and Living It” with all my busy stuff. I need to set more time aside to be with God.

I did that very thing when we were “locked down” and trying like the plague to avoid the plague. I started “reading” the bible every day and saying my rosary every Friday. I even found a faith community on the internet and attended mass every day. For me, this solitary existence (shared with my husband) took on the look and feel of a spiritual retreat. I was more aware of God in my life and the lives of those most close to me. Plus, I hasten to add, my yard and house were looking pretty good!

Now that life more or less has become more routine, I see the great challenges that change is bringing to us as individuals, our families, our League and our land. In my personal opinion, we need to be closer to our Father more now than ever. Again, personally, I continue to listen to “The Bible in a Year”, Father Mike Schmitz’s pod cast, every night in bed before I go to sleep.  I have completed listening to the whole bible once and have started it again. Each time I go over the books of scripture, I understand more and more how the bible fits together culminating in Jesus and the church. I recommend this pod cast to you.

Also, I have an app for saying the rosary. There are many such prayer programs that can be found on the internet for free. I confess that I have not been as faithful in saying the rosary on Fridays as I want to be but I am going to restart doing this. My rosary pod cast is great because it helps me focus on each mystery and not just rush through the prayers. Now, how Catholic is that?

Oh, oh. I have more to say but I hear the buzzer on my dryer and my husband’s going off to pick someone up from the hospital and I want to .. . . . ..

Yes, we all have busy lives but, at least for me, I have found ways to hang out with God.

Many blessings on your day and I hope to see you at our National Convention in August in Kelowna. I’m told I look amazing in shorts.

Gerry Heywood

CWL Spiritual Chair: Diocese of Victoria

Spiritual Communique #2

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE OF CANADA

Diocese of Victoria

Diocesan Theme: Sow Love Generously

SPIRITUAL COMMUNIQUE #2 DECEMBER 2, 2021

PRESIDENT:   Laurel Phyall             SPIRITUAL ADVISOR:   Father Alfredo Monacelli

FROM: Gerry Heywood Diocesan Spiritual Development Chairperson

Dear Friends: We here on Vancouver Island and in our Province of British Columbia have just undergone the greatest recorded national disaster this country has ever endured. And yet, today, the sun is shining and we are still here. We have endured.
I am reminded of Jesus’ advice to build on a sure foundation. I believe our faith is built on such a sure foundation and will endure the floods and fires, wars and destruction we have seen in our time. We continue to await the birth of the Christ Child in the manger and in our hearts. It is the Christ Child who gives us the courage to pick ourselves up after such devastation and start anew.

I invite all of you to reach out to our sisters and help where we can. Or perhaps you can contact our councils in central and northern Vancouver Island or even on the mainland to find out how they fared. Can we offer help? We can certainly pray for them.

So, to all of you, my sisters, I wish you a meaningful advent, a Merry Christmas and (hopefully) a Happy New Year.

____________________________

It is not enough to say we are Christians.  We must live the faith, not only with our words, but with our actions.  Pope Francis

Advent is nearly upon us.  We strive to understand what the Lord is asking of us at this time.  We await His coming. We are challenged to spend this time of Advent in fruitful use of our time: in not getting frustrated over the many things that we wait for …waiting in lines, waiting for relatives to arrive, waiting for Covid restrictions to lift, etc. Waiting is an opportunity to grow in faith.  Advent is a lesson in waiting. What will you do this Advent season to patiently await the Lord’s coming and to show you are Christian not only with the words you utter, but the actions you perform?

Important Dates to Remember

Nov. 28, 2021 First Day of Advent – Year C – Gospel of Luke

Dec 8, 2021 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dec 12 , 2021 Our Lady of Guadalupe – Patroness of the Americas

Dec 25 , 2021 Christmas Day

Dec 26, 2021 Feast of the Holy Family

Jan 1, 2022 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Jan 2, 2022 Epiphany

Jan 9, 2022 Baptism of the Lord.

The Pope’s Monthly Intentions

For December 2021

For all Catechists
We pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

For January 2022

For true human fraternity

We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.

For February 2022

For religious sisters and consecrated women

We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.

For March 2022

For a Christian response to bioethical challenges

We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.

Christmas Stamps

I, for one, continue to send out many Christmas cards because I especially enjoy receiving them in the mail.  If you also send out cards through the mail, this is a reminder to consider asking for the religious Christmas stamps at the post office when you buy your stamps for this Christmas season.

An example of this year’s stamp. Others from previous years are available.

Cathy Bouchard’s Communique #3

I am including Cathy Bouchard (National Spiritual Development Chairperson) Communique #3 in its entirety as it has many Advent resources that can be used throughout the Advent season.  I have already begun to use some of them, one as the beginning outline of a reflection I created for the upcoming provincial executive’s zoom meeting on November 27th and another which examines my conscience in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I plan to take part in the two retreats listed below and I hope that others will also take these opportunities which are provided.

Dear sisters in the League,

November 28th, the first Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of the new liturgical year and begins Year C with the Gospel of Luke.

Two Advent retreats have been planned for members. The first, Prepare your Heart, led by Susan Campbell, director of Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre (Cochrane, Alberta), will help members enter into the season of Advent and will be available on November 28th. In Thy Dark Streets led by Friar Michael Perras OFM, will be available for the third Sunday of Advent (December 12th). The retreat links will be posted on their given date to the national website and Facebook page. 

Please encourage your diocesan counterparts to share these resources to help members prepare for this important part of their church lives.

Advent Resources    

“Hope and Joy at Advent” (December 1st), part two of Living with Christ Webinar Series, featuring Simone Brosig, liturgist and author of Holy Labours. “This season of preparation for Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, but often becomes a time of anxiety and worry. How can we prepare ourselves and our families to celebrate the true nature of the season?” Registration is $9.95 at en.novalis.ca/products/hope-and-joy-at-advent?_pos=59&_sid=7656055dc&_ss=r.

Creighton University Online Ministries’ Praying Advent offers various Advent resources for the liturgical year. Visit onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/ for more information.

Stepping Beyond, an Advent retreat offered by Pray as You Go, inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship. “Other words for fraternity include fellowship; friendship and companionship, all words that are central to the Christian message especially at Christmas. The weeks of Advent are a call to a deeper reflection on the life of Jesus as He stepped beyond His world into ours as our companion and friend. Advent is a time to help us prepare to welcome Jesus our Saviour, God made man in Bethlehem and to hear His call to Step Beyond ourselves” (Pray as You Go). Learn more at pray-as-you-go.org/article/advent-2021-stepping-beyond.

My Catholic Life! “… Presents the beauty and splendor of the Catholic faith in a down-to-earth and practical way.” Enjoy excellent materials for daily reflections, prayers, inspiring quotes and more that can be read independently or as a group from mycatholic.life/.

A Lesson in Waiting Advent Retreat from Busted Halo is suitable for individuals or a parish council meeting using a handout. The resource can be found at drive.google.com/file/d/1uAnS6sgSN6bOuyi_bhq0UfKih010sD0u/view.

Online Advent Book Discussion facilitated by the Henri Nouwen Society. The book selected for the Advent discussion that begins November 24th is the newly released Community by Henri Nouwen, edited by Stephen Lazarus. For more information, visit henrinouwen.org/resources/join-advent-book-discussion/.

Prayers for Advent by Loyola Press. Various resources are available, including an Advent prayer packet that provides two organized prayer services and a guided reflection on the name Emmanuel, “God with us,” and invites families to focus on where they most need God to be with them in their lives. Download these resources from loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/prayers/

A Wish for the Week Ahead, for Advent and the coming year      

“May you give yourself permission to time out the world so you can tune into your own life.  

May you step out of the smallness of fear and into the spaciousness of compassion, where there is room to breathe, and plenty to share.   

May you remember the difference between need and want, and that kindness cannot be hoarded. 

May you drink in joy and laughter, and may they revive your weary spirit like a fresh cup of coffee. 
Nanea Hoffman”

I wish for each of you and your families, a Blessed Advent, a Wondrous and Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Joyous New Year.  In Italian, Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo.  

Ciao for now and God bless. 

Laura Esposito

BC & Yukon CWL Spiritual Development Chairperson

Spiritual Communique #1

DIOCESE OF VICTORIA

Diocesan theme: Solid Rock

Living Waters

President:   Laurel Phyall             Spiritual Advisor:   Father Alfredo Monacelli

Date: Aug 20, 2021 Communique #1

FROM: Gerry Heywood, Diocese of Victoria, Spiritual Development Chairperson

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” Luke 1:45.

I want to second Laura Esposito’s warm welcome to all of you who have undertaken to be your parish councils’ Spiritual Development Chairpersons. On the surface, this chair may seem easy; just read some prayers and ask for prayer intentions. Easy, peasy. But I realize that this position is far more important than just that. You are sharing the continuing spiritual development of your league sisters in partnership with your parish priest. This is a significant responsibility.

But do not despair. We are all walking the road to Emmaus together and together, we will find Christ amongst us in the breaking of bread.

I am very new to this post and like you, I am learning on the fly. In addition, I have always been a “doer”. Ask me to do something and usually I can find a way to do it. End of story. Now, the inner spiritual life is something quite different. This is, for me, uncharted territory other than the usual prayer and sacramental life of a “regular” Catholic woman. But that just doesn’t cut if for me anymore. 

This COVID epidemic has changed a lot of things for me and in many ways for a greater good. It has (for me) turned into one big long spiritual retreat. For example, I am following Father Mike Schmidt’s “Bible In a Year” podcast and every night I listen to another part of the bible and Father Mike’s explanation of what’s happening. Now, I find I have a much deeper understanding of the readings at mass and a deeper relationship with God. Who knew? All of this played a large roll in my desire to undertake the Diocesan Spiritual Development Chair. 

So, over to you, my League Sisters. We will walk on and help each other on the road to Emmaus.

Gerry Heywood

Diocesan Chairperson: Spiritual Development

___________________________________

FROM: Laura Esposito, BC & Yukon Provincial Spiritual Development Chairperson

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable and receives the impossible” Corrie Ten Boom writes in her book “Jesus is Victor”. Corrie was a woman who harboured hundreds of Jewish people in her home during World War II.

A warm welcome to newly elected Diocesan Spiritual Development Chairpersons: Gerry Heywood (Victoria), Maria McManus (Nelson) and, to those members continuing their positions for the second year: Jeannette Melnychuk (Kamloops), Linda McClinton (Prince George), Erin Merth (Vancouver), Dawn Kobewka (Whitehorse).  Also a welcome to newly elected National Spiritual Development Chairperson, Cathy Bouchard.  I look forward to serving with all of you in this important committee which asks for much prayer 

Introduction: I have been a CWL member for 28 years, serving in several positions on parish and diocesan councils.  In 2015, I was appointed for one year to complete a term as Communications Chairperson and then after the election in 2016 was given the same Committee.  I was elected as Provincial Secretary in 2018. I was a teacher for 38 years in the public school system and after retiring, have been on call for Annunciation School. Teaching never was and still is not a job for me but a vocation. I serve at the church as a Lector at Mass and I make up the Ministry schedule for each of the Sunday masses. The rest of my biography is on the provincial website bcyukoncwl.com. 

In her 1st communique of August 26, 2021, Cathy Bouchard, National Spiritual Development Chairperson writes “One of the main reasons women join the League is because of the opportunity to share and grow in their Catholic faith with women of all ages and experiences. They want to grow personally and as the church. This standing committee serves to assist in the spiritual growth of members through prayer experiences and the study of Catholic teachings, the role of women in the church, evangelization and mission assistance, lay ministries and ecumenism and interfaith endeavours. As members return “back to business” with their League work, I invite you to continue to pray for the success of the League and continue to assist your sisters “to grow in faith, and to witness to the love of God….”

So what can each of us do to promote the spiritual development of anyone but, especially, of our sisters in the League?  Pope Francis said on Twitter Dec 5, 2013, “Holiness doesn’t mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith.”

A very recent personal experience helped me grow a lot spiritually.  Two weeks ago, I was invited to spend about two hours at the hospital bedside of someone while his family took a bit of personal time.  While there, this man sang some songs to me in Italian.  He was very surprised when I joined in, not necessarily knowing all the words, but knowing many of the songs.  Two days ago, I was again asked to spend a couple of hours by the man’s bedside which I did.  In preparation, I downloaded some of the songs so we could sing them together (this time with all the words).  The man, now in palliative care, was spending most of his time sleeping and only answering in one syllable words to all questions.  While there, I first put on a CD of Andrea Boccelli and he listened but he also drifted off.  When the CD ended, he opened his eyes and I asked him if he would like me to sing some of the songs I had sung with him last time.  He answered, “Yes please.”  So I did.  I sang about 10 songs to him and the entire time, he was very alert and not drifting off.  At the end, he said, “Thank you.”  That really moved me.

For me, this was an example of what Pope Francis meant in his tweet of Dec 5, 2013.  Is there a small act that each of us can do which will help others and ourselves grow spiritually?  I invite you and your councils to brainstorm what they are, and, act on them.

Cathy Bouchard, National Spiritual Development reminds us of some important dates in 2021:

September 19: National Faith Day (The Catholic Women’s League of Canada)

September 21: National Day of Prayer for Christians in the Holy Land (The Catholic Women’s League of Canada)

September 30: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (newly announced by the Federal Government this last June)

October 1: National Day of Prayer for Canadian Home Missions (The Catholic Women’s League of Canada)

December 1: First Day of Advent, First Day of Liturgical Calendar, Year C focus on the Gospel of Luke

December 25: Christmas Day

December 26: Feast of the Holy family

And for 2022

January 1: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

January 2: Epiphany of the Lord

January 9: Baptism of the Lord

March 2: Ash Wednesday

March 2 - April 14: Lent

April 14 – April 17: Sundown Holy Thursday to the Easter Vigil – Triduum

April 26: Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel (The Catholic Women’s League of Canada)

May 1 – 7: 12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care (The Catholic Women’s League of Canada)

August 13 – 18: 102nd Annual National Convention of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, Kelowna, British Colombia

The National CWL website has many prayers, prayer services and hymns which can be accessed and used by any council.  Please go to www.cwl.ca, under To Organize - 700 Series Prayers and Hymns.   There are 41 different things to help all of us in this committee.

I draw your attention to two prayers found in the Prayer Corner on the National website and which I encourage all councils to pray at the beginning of, or during, each meeting:

Pope Francis’ 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. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.  

A Prayer of Hope for the 2022 CWL National Convention, Kelowna

Father in Heaven, nothing surpasses Your Goodness.
Your Goodness is steeped in Love and Your Love gives us Hope.
This Hope gives us Faith, and our Faith helps us Love.
We pray that Your Love will make us good.  As we prepare to bring our CWL sisters together,
Send Your Spirit to guide this Convention Team and our National Council.
Bless the 102nd National Catholic Women’s League Convention,
That Your precious daughters will reconnect with each other and draw closer to You.
Help us to navigate this earthly wilderness and to do your will.  In Your vineyard O Lord, we long to be:
Rejoicing, relaxing, praying and playing,
Laughing, learning, serving and savouring.

Abba, Father, from these long months of isolation and angst, deliver us.
We hope in You O Lord, that we may come together in 2022,
And through Our Lady of Good Counsel,
We will be blessed as we labour and live in Your Vineyard.
Amen.

We have so many other things to pray for, among them: a quick end to the pandemic around the world, an end to the fire situation in BC and also for the federal election coming in September – that we all discern carefully how to cast our ballots, and, that those elected will guide our country with wisdom and grace.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us and pray for us.

Laura Esposito, BC & Yukon Spiritual Development Chairperson.