CWL wants to get the message out

Parish mailings, tapping into the Internet, hold future promise

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Jasper

"Getting information out to the delegates and parishes has been a problem for the CWL at the national level," Marie Cameron told the annual convention of the Edmonton archdiocesan CWL.

"Using the Internet and in particular accessing the CWL national website (http://www.cwl.ca) would benefit the lines of communication not only between the national, provincial and diocesan levels, but also from parish council to parish council."

Speaking to more than 200 delegates at the April 16-18 convention, Cameron urged each parish council to appoint a person with access to the Internet to represent members who do not. In this way, all opinions and ideas can reach the national council via e-mail.

"We have weekly updates at the national level. We are putting things on the website regularly. I hear occasionally from members who ask why the CWL doesn't have a lot of information available. We do. It's there," she said.

Besides the website, there are four other major means of communication within the CWL. There is the league magazine as well as spiritual communiqu‚s. The provincial president attends all national executive meetings and she sends out a newsletter. Also, the CWL sends out parish mailings three or four times a year as a valuable source of information.

"I can't attend all of your conventions and your parish council meetings, but sending my message through the parish mailings is one way I can speak and correspond with you," she said.

"You know what our stand is on marriage - it is between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. We were just so surprised and disappointed because the federal justice department told us that regardless of what they hear from the Supreme Court of Canada, it is their determination to change the definition of marriage.

"We have to do a lot of lobbying because the justice department has to hear from us. The prime minister has to hear from us. And all of cabinet. They cannot change the definition of marriage."

During the upcoming national convention Aug. 8-11 in London, Ont., Cameron says the CWL plans to present two position papers, one each on water (in collaboration with Development and Peace) and waste management.

"Although we allow discussion on these papers, they cannot be changed because they have already been accepted by the national council."

In her annual report, Edmonton diocesan president Fran Lucas said her goal is to increase membership by getting the good word out about what the CWL has to offer.

"Each member needs to offer the choice of membership to those who have not yet seen the light."

Lucas indicated the members have been generous with their time and councils with their dollars as both donated funds to more than 150 organizations, with more than $8,500 awarded in scholarships.

"Involvement with Newman Theological College and St. Joseph's Seminary was once again accomplished through the successful Adopt-a Seminarian project and financial assistance towards the purchase of a humeral veil, stole and cope for the seminary," she said.

"Members renewed their commitment to praying the rosary, having the new Mysteries of Light given to us by the holy father. The interest in theology was evident by a number of councils reporting their members studying in this area."

CWL international projects reached as far as India, Afghanistan, Africa, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and the Philippines.

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