LANIGAN, SASK. — A 60th anniversary celebration for the St. Mary Parish Catholic Women’s League council was held June 12, 2025 in Lanigan, SK.
Diocesan CWL President Edna Hodgson was in attendance to present a certificate to St. Mary, Lanigan CWL president Laura Novecosky.
The St. Mary, Lanigan Catholic Women’s League council was chartered on July 13, 1965. The first president was Mary Fedorchuk. Other executive members include Mary McConnell, Mary Senko, Bernice Porowski, and Natalie Grywacheski.
Two charter members from that time still belong to the CWL council – Freda Paproski and Julie Skorlatowski.
St. Ignatius CWL council in Sinnett, SK, was organized in 1951 and disbanded in 1998. The five remaining members joined the St. Mary CWL council in Lanigan.
The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary standing outside St. Mary Catholic Church in Lanigan was purchased by the CWL in 1981 at a cost of $800.
The council’s prayer shawl ministry was started in 2016. A homemade blessed prayer shawl is given to those who are suffering from serious illness or other misfortune.
The council has raised money for charitable endeavours in many ways: making and selling thousands of perogies, hosted rummage sales, spring and fall tea and bake sales, and soup and sandwich lunches. Funds raised have been donated to many charities in the local community and around the world.
The CWL has been hosting a seniors’ valentine’s tea for the community for 50 years. The CWL council also hosts a January birthday party at Central Parkland Lodge.
New members are always welcome to join the Catholic women’s league in their work for God and Canada.
This article was submitted to Catholic Saskatoon News by St. Mary Parish CWL, Lanigan.
