ROSETOWN, Sask. (CCN) — The annual diocesan convention of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was held May 4, 2026, at St. Theresa Parish in Rosetown, SK, where the CWL was first established a century ago.
The 100th anniversary of the Rosetown CWL council was recognized with greetings, displays, and acknowledgements by special guests during the annual diocesan convention attended by some 120 CWL members and spiritual leaders from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
A certificate recognizing the 100th anniversary was sent to the Rosetown council by Member of Parliament Jeremy Patzer, of the Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley riding, and greetings were also sent by the local MLA Jim Reiter.
Provincial CWL President Helen Kayfish presented Rosetown CWL President Armella Rollheiser with a certificate of congratulations on behalf of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada in grateful recognition of the parish CWL council’s 100th anniversary, signed by the national and provincial presidents and Provincial CWL Spiritual Director Fr. Francis Hengen.
The Provincial CWL President also recognized CWL member Mary Kehrig of Holy Family Cathedral in Saskatoon, who was recently honoured at the 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for her outstanding faithful service in her parish, her community and beyond. All those assembled sang a blessing on Kehrig, led by the provincial CWL president.
“All the members are an inspiration to the league and to me,” said Kayfish, about to conclude her two-year term as provincial president at the Provincial CWL gathering to be held May 31-June 1 in Kindersley. “I know that our incoming provincial president (Donna Aldous of Saint Anne Council, Saskatoon) will do well and will receive all your support and encouragement.”
Saskatoon Diocesan CWL President Edna Hodgson also presented St. Theresa Rosetown CWL council with an anniversary certificate.
Guests bringing congratulations included Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Prince Albert Diocesan CWL president Shirley Lamoureux, as well as representatives of several Rosetown churches, and the local Knights of Columbus council.
The day-long convention program started earlier in the day with the parade of flags and council banners, followed by a welcome from local CWL President Armella Rolheiser of St. Theresa Council, Rosetown. Dicoesan CWL President Hodgson gave a Treaty land acknowledgment
Diocesan CWL Faith Chair Ida-Rose Wilde of Cudworth led the opening prayer.
Parliamentarian for the convention was CWL life member Mary Nordick of Saskatoon.
Diocesan CWL Past-President Marion Laroque of St. Augustine Council, Saskatoon led the convention roll call, as Diocesan Secretary Agnes Pelletier of St. Mary Council, Saskatoon, was not present. Diocesan CWL Treasurer Yvonne Wiesner of St. Peter Council, Unity, SK, provided a financial report as part of the business portion of the meeting.
Convention delegates also received written reports in their packages from members of the Diocesan CWL Executive: President Edna Hodgson of St. Bruno Council, Bruno; Vice-President Charlene Genkens of St. Augustine Council, Saskatoon; Past-President Marion Laroque of St. Augustine Council, Saskatoon; Faith Chair Ida-Rose Wilde of St. Michael Council, Cudworth; Service Chair Wendy De Sa of St. Patrick Council, Saskatoon; Social Justice Chair Diane Coté of St. John Bosco Council, Saskatoon; Our Lady of Grace Regional Chair Cathy Lafleche of Holy Family Cathedral Council, Saskatoon; and CWL Clothing Depot Chair Louise Kowalski of St. Augustine Council, Saskatoon.
Mass was celebrated before lunch by Bishop Mark Hagemoen, joined by CWL Spiritual Advisors Fr. Frances Hengen , Fr. John Abban-Bonsu, Fr. Habila Musa, and Fr. Prince Sarpong.
“The CWL is extremely important in the life of the Church,” affirmed the bishop, thanking League members for their faithfulness, service, advocacy and witness.
“Evangelization is not secondary, it is primary,” he said, reflecting on the scripture readings. “Jesus is not with us to leave us the same, he is with us in the power of the Holy Spirit to continue to bring a healing, a change in us… We are not left as we were. We become more of what we were created to be.”
On behalf of the bishops of Saskatchewan and Canada, Hagemoen expressed “our great appreciation” for the Catholic Women’s League. “We rely on you for so much,” he said.
“I really appreciate your prophetic voice on many issues,” the bishop added, including the League’s efforts to address human trafficking.
The voice of the League is a voice that “comes from ongoing conversion,” he noted. “I thank you for bringing to bear your God-given gifts, including your zeal and intent to do God’s will, and also your desire to be thorough and discerning.”
At the conclusion of Mass, Saskatoon Diocesan CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. John Abban-Bonsu and Past-President Marion Laroque led a re-affirmation ceremony for members of the diocesan executive.
Later during the afternoon program, three CWL Spiritual Advisors — Hengen, Abban-Bonsu, and Habila — also offered encouragement, thanks, and spiritual reflections.
Tasha Toupin of the Archdiocese of Regina provided information about a May 11-16 provincial speaking tour highlighting issues around medically-provided death entitled “MAiD for You?” with speaker Deacon Larry Worthen of the Christian Dental and Medical Association.
After providing a summary of what is at stake as medically-provided death or “MAiD” continues to expand in Canada. Toupin also noted that the May 16 presentation will be available online (LINK).
The second guest speaker at the diocesan convention was Brittany Steinbach, Program Manager for Carter House family treatment Centre, located at the former Queen’s House Retreat and Renewal Centre in Saskatoon.
The grounds and former retreat house building continue to provide an atmosphere of welcome, peace, and healing, although with a different focus, Steinbach noted. “Carter House is full of hope and I think that is part of the transition from Queen’s House.”
Opening its doors in November 2024, the Carter House family healing and recovery centre incorporates holistic healing and culturally-grounded services in its programming, reuniting families on paths of healing from addictions. The Government of Saskatchewan provided funding for the 17 spaces at The Carter House as part of a commitment to 500 new addictions treatment spaces by 2028.
The three-month family program is designed to keep families together on the journey of recovery, said Steinbach.
The challenges families face are great, including dealing with grief, trauma, and often homelessness, she said. Steps forward include healing from addictions, providing structure, re-connection with cultural traditions, and follow-up support.
The diocesan convention also included displays about stopping human trafficking/ assisting victims, faith resources available from Perpetua Press based in Alberta, as well a display of historical archives and information about the 100-year history of the Rosetown CWL council.
At the conclusion of the convention, representatives of the St. Theresa, Rosetown CWL council were acknowledged and thanked for hosting. Finally, Rita Thiessing of St. Augustine CWL Council, Humboldt invited members to gather next year for the 91st Saskatoon Diocesan CWL Convention, to be held April 24, 2027, in Humboldt, SK.
