KINDERSLEY, Sask. (CCN) — Members of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada from across Saskatchewan recently gathered for their 78th annual provincial convention, hosted by the St. Joseph CWL council in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
The gathering of the Catholic Women’s League of Saskatchewan May 31-June 1, 2026, included prayer, updates, reflections, reports, and the election of a new provincial CWL executive.
Elected for a two-year term are:
- President – Donna Aldous, Saskatoon
- Vice-President – Linda Maddaford, Yorkton
- Past President – Helen Kayfish, North Battleford
- Treasurer – Arlene Rey, Saskatoon
- Faith Chair – Jannette Rieger, Emerald Park
- Service Chair – Flaviana Rodulfa-Loken, Saskatoon
- Social Justice Chair – Patsy Salzl, Paradise Hill
- Spiritual Advisor – Fr. Francis Hengen, Indian Head
- Life Member Liaison – Connie Chrichton, Saskatoon.
The position of secretary remains to be filled.
Opening ceremonies in Kindersley on May 31 included the presentation of colours, with CWL leaders carrying in national, provincial and league flags and banners. A Treaty 6 land acknowledgement was given by Saskatoon Diocesan CWL President Edna Hodgson of Bruno, followed by the League prayer and a national theme prayer “For Passion on the Mission.”
Welcome and greetings by leaders and special guests opening the convention included messages from Provincial CWL President Helen Kayfish, hosting CWL Co-President Susan Seidel of St. Joseph Parish, Kindersley; St. Joseph CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi; Saskatoon Diocesan CWL President Edna Hodgson; and Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Balzar Schafer of St. Joseph council, Kindersley; in addition to messages from representatives of other church denominations and various levels of government.
Carol Anne Marie Mitchell was guest speaker May 31 sharing insights about counselling families and individuals.
On the first day of the Saskatchewan convention, National CWL President Betty Colaneri also introduced the theme she has chosen for the League during her term as president: “Ignite Your Passion, Empower His Mission.”
Colaneri explained that the inspiration and imagery for the CWL national theme introduced at the beginning of the year is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with the flame of God’s infinite love.
The CWL theme also recalls the scripture account of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus after they have encountered and recognized the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 32).
Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen and a number of priests from across the province who serve as CWL Spiritual Advisors celebrated Sunday Eucharist May 31.
An evening banquet that followed Mass was emceed by Hodgson, and in addition to Saskatoon’s bishop, also included special guests Knights of Columbus State Deputy Marte Clemente Nogot and his wife Lorelie, and Eparchial UCWLC President Doreen Rathgeber.
The banquet program included inspirational messages from outgoing Provincial CWL President Helen Kayfish, and incoming CWL President Donna Aldous.
CWL life member Mary Nordick also announced the winner of the $1,000 2026 CWL Social Justice Award: Maureen Ekwunife, who is involved with the service and justice project at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon.
The convention continued the next day beginning with a memorial prayer service for unborn children, led by Janette Rieger and Fr. Francis Hengen, highlighted by a procession with flowers in memory of children who have died before birth, and a video highlighting the hymn Isaiah 49 by Carey Landry: “I will never forget you, my people.”
Priests in attendance at the convention had an opportunity to join a CWL spiritual advisor’s meeting, as the convention business meeting got underway.
In her report June 1, President Helen Kayfish highlighted the past year, including council projects such as “It’s My Very Own – Bags of Love” for children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. The Bags of Love contain items that offer comfort and help meet immediate needs of children in crisis.
“I have delivered five of these bags personally and I have witnessed the joy and surprise of these children,” Kayfish said, noting that many League members have reached out to offer quilts and items for the bags.
She also reported on events such as the national CWL convention held last year in Toronto, and other national board meetings, and the status of council annual survey reports. In addition to expressing appreciation to spiritual advisors, guests, and councils across the province, Kayfish also encouraged members to step up and get involved – particularly as the Prince Albert and Regina diocesan CWL councils have not yet filled all of their executive council positions.
“Your voice is needed on you executive councils,” she urged, noting that “God doesn’t call the gifted, he gifts those he calls.”
In her report as vice-president, Donna Aldous stressed the many benefits and blessings of League memberships, including the national “The Canadian League” magazine, noting in particular a recent article by Saskatchewan’s own Janette Rieger “When Called to Serve: Igniting Our Passion For His Mission.”
Rieger, a life member and national service subcommittee member, as well as incoming provincial Faith Chair, wrote: “Consider what you can do when you take a position on an executive council— you can ignite your passion…. Sometimes it can be scary to do something new, but when we are asked to take a new position, we should consult our loved ones if need be, pray about it and then, as many members before us have previously said, add this prayer to our positive reply: ‘I will with God’s help.’”
Aldous also highlighted and recommended the online “Growing in Wisdom” formation program, which will begin another cohort in the fall, inspired by the Forest Dwelling Program at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas.
A written report from 2024-2026 Faith Chair Wendy Dale was read by provincial secretary Patsy Salzl. Dale described how CWL councils across the province “are definitely taking on projects to support the least, the last, and the lost.”
She listed: “Buying acres of land through Grow Hope, supporting various homeless shelters, promoting letter-writing campaigns, giving out candy to kids at Easter Masses, having a team in the Lenten 40 (relay), supporting moms desiring to grow their faith, taking communion to shut-ins, having secret prayer sisters, organizing the parish social calendar, and gathering to pray together for each other’s friends — our actions are our witnesses to Jesus’ command to love your neighbour.”
Monthly CWL online praying of the scriptural rosary continues over the summer on July 6, Aug. 4 and Sept. 2, Dale reported. She also highlighted the online CWL national introductory course for clergy and spiritual advisors.
Dale also encouraged councils to use the new national theme prayer “to bring the theme to life … in anticipation of all the way we can serve next year.”
She added: “I encourage all councils to create and use land acknowledgements at the beginning of your meetings, and to find out about the treaty your council is in. Councils in Treaty 6 territory have the 150th anniversary of signing to acknowledge this year.”
Provincial Service Chair Mary Kehrig cited 1 Peter 4:10, encouraging members to use their gifts to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace.
“These gifts include loving and praying for others,” she said, before reviewing a year of activity that included a flag-raising to build awareness of human trafficking and sexual exploitation; a Teen Aid fundraiser; a Bishop’s Dinner with the theme “Mercy and Compassion” where stewardship was hightlighted; and a recent information presentation at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon about Indigenous cultural powwow traditions.
“To get the public the pulse of needs in your diocese it is helpful to attend diocesan events,” Kehrig encouraged. “Your meetings can be enriched by inviting speakers from outreach ministries such as Mustard Seed, the Bridge, Carter House, St. Mary’s Outreach, Pregnancy Option, Pro-Life, or Development and Peace, and many others.”
She also noted plans to plant a tree at the Blackstrap Youth Camp south of Saskatoon to commemorate the recent centennial of the CWL.
Social Justice Chair Marcella Pedersen reported that CWL members throughout Canada have been working on many issues provincially and federally. “Homelessness, domestic intimate partner violence, missing and murdered Indigenous women, human trafficking… euthanasia, MAiD, Bill C-218 and Bill C-9, updates, and cybercrime. There’s a lot of work to do.”
Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen provided a summary of the Spiritual Advisors’ meeting held in conjunction with the provincial convention, describing challenges and suggesting initiatives, as well as offering an overview of his year on the provincial executive.
Reports from the three diocesan CWL councils — Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon – were also presented. Former diocesan presidents Shirley Lamoureux (Prince Albert) and Linda Maddaford (Regina) encouraged greater involvement at the diocesan level, where their councils have yet to elect a full executive.
Lamoureux announced the formation of a new CWL council at the Catholic parish in Glaslyn, SK, and welcomed their Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Edward Obi, MSP.
Convention delegates also heard that there is a new CWL council at the Francophone parish of Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens in Saskatoon, with strong participation from newcomers to Canada.
Regina Archdiocesan Past-President Linda Maddaford noted changes in technology and society that have created challenges and greater need in many areas, including an epidemic of loneliness.
“We are called always to welcome the poor in spirit, to bind the wounded and hold out our hands in friendship and support. And our members have responded by sharing the abundance that God has given them,” she reported. “Those who have talents, put them to use. Where we have more than we need, we give it away. We pray for one another and encourage one another.”
Maddaford added: “In the newly released encyclical Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo asks us to examine several crucial questions that impose themselves on our conscience and which cannot be ignored… He reminds us that our common language is one of community, that despite rapid technological adaptations and social upheaval, we remain a people who work together in the presence of God to continually build a church of fraternal co-existence.”
Saskatoon Diocesan President Edna Hodgson reported on activities over the past year that have included involvement in ecumenical prayer events, advocacy against human trafficking and action in response to homelessness. She also spoke about the need to continue to reach out and engage older CWL members.
Past-President Connie Crichton of Saskatoon spoke about the need to preserve and store council archives, and the challenge of caring for archives when a council closes down. She also pointed to resources on the national CWL website to assist local councils with policies, procedures and forms.
Crichton also reported on the work of a Catholic Connections network of leaders and representatives of dioceses, Catholic health, and Catholic education, and tentative plans to hold a provincial “Catholic Congress” that may include involvement of the CWL, with the date and details to be determined. She also encouraged members to continue to find ways for CWL councils to continue truth and reconciliation efforts and building of awareness and relationships.
Life-member Liaison Chantal Devine of Saskatoon listed the CWL life members in Saskatchewan. She also described the League’s “R3 to 1, Unity!” task force, introduced to address the ongoing concern of declining membership, and assist councils in recruiting, retaining and regaining members. It also supports councils considering becoming inactive or disbanding.
In reaching out to inactive or potential CWL members “personal contact makes all the difference,” Devine said. “Take the onus… we are blessed, don’t neglect to share the blessing of the League.”
Life members Claire Heron and Velma Harasen presented a report about the CWL’s membership in the international World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), whose mission is the evangelization and human development of women.
WUCWO includes over 100 Catholic organizations in approximately 60 countries, and some eight million members, reported Harasen. Organizations in the North American region of WUCWO include the CWL and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and the Sisters of Providence.
“Representation on the WUCWO board alternates between the CWL and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League,” she explained, noting that CWL life member and former national president Barb Dowding is presently Canada’s representative.
WUCWO has consulting status with UNESCO in Paris, United Nations in New York, and the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. “So you can well imagine the wide range and varied issues that are dealt with in various areas where women suffer, religious freedom, ecology, migrants, refugees, human trafficking, just to mention a few,” Harasen said.
“I served on the WUCWO board as a North American regional vice-president from 2014 to 2018. I was elected to the board in Panama in 2014, and completed my term in Dakar, Senegal, Africa in 2018,” Harasen said, sharing highlights to demonstrate the value and importance of WUCWO.
Heron represented the CWL on the WUCWO board for 10 years, 1995 to 2005. “Every year I went to the meeting, I took a suitcase full of medications and t-shirts,” she said, describing a “River Trek” fund-raiser organized in her home town of Eston, SK. for the supplies, and the assistance provided by pharmacies.
Heron also chaired an endowment fund established in support of WUCWO, which was established in 2000 after a fund-raising effort that raised over $1 million.
The World Women’s Observatory (WWO) was created in 2021 by WUCWO, she noted. “The goal of this observatory is to give visibility to women, especially those that are invisible… It seeks to eradicate all forms of violence and discrimination against women.”
Another recent project calls for members around the world to plant a tree in a “Planting Hope Campaign” focused on the environment.
Life member Mary Nordick provided information about an upcoming summer Festival of Faith being held July 8 to 15 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Saskatoon, featuring speakers Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, and Eric Clayton, and others in a program of faith enrichment, prayer, and music.
Nordick also noted that next year is the 100th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer, a global ecumenical event organized by women.
She also encouraged CWL members to check the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism website for inter-denominational Christian Bible studies and prayer events which are offered in person or online, often during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity or seasons such as Advent and Lent.
Before the election of a new slate of provincial officers, representatives of the CWL council at St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish extended an invitation to next year’s Saskatchewan CWL Convention to be held June 6-7, 2027 at their church in North Battleford. CWL Spiritual Advisor and accomplished musician Fr. Tai Le added that the 2027 convention may include a concert.
The 2026 convention closed with celebration of the Eucharist with Fr. Francis Hengen presiding, along with other CWL Spiritual Advisors.
Mass concluded with the installation of the new provincial CWL executive.
National Theme Prayer for Passion on the Mission
By Betty Colaneri, National CWL President
Jesus our Lord, we come to You with open hearts seeking passion for Your mission. Your deepest desire is to draw all peoples into the embrace of the Heavenly Father’s Kingdom. Send Your Holy Spirit to ignite our hearts with the fire of Your passionate love, to empower us with enthusiasm for Your mission.
May we be instruments of Your love to our sisters in the League, our families, parishes, and communities. As we journey together, may the flame in our hearts illuminate ours to know Your eternal love.
May we hold Your people in our hearts as we place all our trust in You. Sweet Jesus, each day as we lift up our hearts to You, we offer You our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings. We humbly ask that our offerings increase our faith, hope, and charity.
O most Sacred and Passionate Heart of Jesus, may our hearts and Yours beat together as one. We make this prayer to You Jesus, in the power of the Father and in the union of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
