New CWL president puts faith into action

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Now that she is provincial president of the league, Partington plans to make sure this philosophy permeates every level of the organization. Family life, vocations and justice for the poor are some of her stated goals.

Partington, a Catholic teacher from Sexsmith, has been waiting to take over as president of the CWL's Alberta-Mackenzie provincial council since 1997, when she became "president-elect."

She was installed as president June 5, following the CWL's 52nd annual provincial convention at the Mayfield Inn. She replaces Janet Cook of Grande Prairie. More than 200 delegates attended the convention.

"It's wonderful to have an opportunity to lead women of faith," Partington told the WCR. As provincial president she will lead 10,000 Catholic women in five dioceses.

Partington's successor two years from now will be Edmonton's Connie McBride, elected president-elect. Barb MacDonald of Yellowknife was elected first vice-president and Becky Kallal of Edmonton was elected treasurer.

A native of Lamont, Partington has lived in Africa, Edmonton and parts of British Columbia. The mother of four and grandmother of four now lives in Sexsmith, a town of about 1,500 just north of Grande Prairie. She is "very active" at Immaculate Conception Parish, serving in the RCIA and helping with sacramental preparation.

A Catholic teacher for the Okotoks-based Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division, Partington works with parents who home-school their children.

She hopes that under her leadership CWL members will "make a difference in society by living their faith."

Her plans include working closely with the Knights of Columbus and the clergy to encourage family life and to counter the tendency among families to rely on schools to instill Catholic values in children.

"Families are spiritual units (where) parents are the first teachers of the faith," she maintains.

The CWL will also work with the Knights in promoting religious vocations. They will start by urging families to encourage young people to consider religious life.

Partington also plans to continue the legacy of her predecessor, Janet Cook, who mobilized the CWL against child poverty.

Concerned that the gap between rich and poor continues to grow in spite of the province's wealth, Partington, plans to continue pushing for more job training, better wages and more affordable housing for the poor.

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