SASKATOON—National and provincial leaders of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada have arrived in Saskatoon, holding meetings ahead of a three-day national convention that will bring hundreds of League members from across the nation to the prairie city on the South Saskatchewan River.
League president Shari Guinta and her national executive – which includes provincial representatives (and a Military Ordinariate) – are working with local organizers to prepare for the Aug. 11-14 annual meeting of the Catholic women’s organization, founded in 1920. Today the League has nearly 60,000 members across Canada.
A bishops’ Mass and dinner Aug. 9 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon was one of the events organized before the convention, featuring welcoming words from Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and Bishop Stephen Hero of the Diocese of Prince Albert. CWL councils from their two dioceses are hosting the national convention, coinciding this year with the 100th anniversary of the League’s establishment in the Diocese of Prince Albert in 1924.
Bishops Hagemoen and Hero were joined by CWL National Spiritual Advisor Bishop Wayne Lobsinger (Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton), Saskatchewan CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen, and Holy Family Associate Pastor Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino for the celebration of Mass in the cathedral’s Queen of Peace Chapel.
“The Church in Canada has always needed the Catholic Women’s League — and needs it now perhaps more than ever,” said Hagemoen.
In the homily, Hero thanked organizers on behalf of the bishops of Saskatchewan and also expressed his admiration for the Catholic Women’s League of Canada who for more than a century has “been forming disciples of Jesus and working precisely and concretely on many of the burdens and evils” facing today’s world.
“You have been working on issues with faith, hope and love, with courage and in practical ways in our communities, keeping them in the minds and hearts of politicians and other groups, and supporting projects that work for a more Christ-like world,” said Hero.
The convention proper gets underway after an opening Mass Aug. 11, with keynote speakers and breakout presentations – including sessions related to the three pillars of the CWL — faith, service and social justice. The annual League gathering will also include reports, updates, resolutions and other business, as well as meetings of various national and provincial groups, evening banquets and other social events and tours, exploring what Saskatoon has to offer.
