'Bizarre Women' attract members to the CWL

Special to the WCR
Edmonton

The Bizarre Women was formed with five 20-to-30 somethings to find ways to attract more women to the CWL. There has been a lot of positive response to the presentation and skit delivered on Sept. 25.

The presentation highlighted the need to use dialogue that really "spoke" to women, bulletin announcements that pack a punch, humorous skits that involve members of the CWL and, most importantly, personal invitations to encourage all women to consider membership in the CWL.

The phones have been ringing and the ladies have been to a number of parishes to share their enthusiasm with councils who want to make the most out of their membership drives.

To date, outreach trips have been made to St. Augustine Parish in Ponoka, Our Lady of the Angels in Fort Saskatchewan and St. Joseph's Basilica in Edmonton. Visits are also planned to Christ King Parish in Stettler and St. Dominic Savio in Edmonton.

One or two of the Bizarre Women go to the parishes at the invitation of the CWL councils and spread their enthusiasm to the congregations. The follow up is ongoing, and the hope is that by "shaking things up" a bit, the number of members in 2005 will speak for itself.

As well as the phone calls there have been numerous inquiries from CWL councils across Canada, after reading the Oct. 4 article in the WCR and other Catholic papers.

All the members of the Bizarre Women believe that women working together have the power to make changes, and what many need is an opportunity to come together with like-minded individuals in a structure aimed at making a difference.

As follow-up to the fall meeting and the outreach sessions, the Bizarre Women, in partnership with the diocesan officers, will host a Book Club. On Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall of St. Joseph's Basilica, there will be a discussion group of the book, The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. Now would be a great time to subtly request the book as a Christmas gift!

All ladies, non-CWL members included, are welcome. Please call Crystal at 990-1399 by Feb. 11, to join us on Feb. 22.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter