Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon and Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert Aug. 9 welcomed leaders of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, who have arrived in Saskatoon for 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.
Catholic Women’s 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.
Celebrants at the Aug. 9 Mass included (left to right) Saskatchewan Diocesan CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, National CWL Spiritual Advisor Bishop Wayne Lobsinger of Hamilton, and Prince Albert Bishop Stephen Hero. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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 Bishop Mark Hagemoen.
In the homily, Bishop Stephen 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.
Photos:
CWL member Mary Kehrig of the Cathedral of the Holy Family and diocesan CWL President Marion Laroque arrive at the Cathedral of the Holy Family Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Members of the Catholic Women’s League gather for Mass with two Saskatchewan bishops Aug. 9, ahead of a national CWL convention in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Greeting league members gathering for Mass Aug. 9 at the Queen of Peace Chapel of the Cathedral of the Holy Family, Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
National and provincial leaders of the Catholic Women’s League are holding meetings ahead of the national CWL convention, and also gathered for Mass Aug. 9 at Saskatoon’s cathedral. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
CWL leaders and national convention organizers gathered for Mass Aug. 9 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
CWL leaders and convention organizers gathered for Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
CWL leaders and convention organizers gathered for Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Music ministry was provided by CWL members Wendy Dale and daughter.(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The first reading at the Aug. 9 Mass was proclaimed by Saskatchewan CWL Past-President Chantal Devine
Bishop Stephen Hero was the homilist at the Aug. 9 Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Convention organizing committee member Margaret Schwab led the prayers of intercession at Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Cahtolic Saskatoon News)
Celebrants at the Aug. 9 Mass included (left to right) Saskatchewan Diocesan CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, National CWL Spiritual Advisor Bishop Wayne Lobsinger of Hamilton, and Prince Albert Bishop Stephen Hero. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Celebrants Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino, Fr. Francis Hengen, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, and Bishop Stephen Hero (l-r) for the Aug. 9 Mass in the Queen of Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
CWL leaders and convention organizers celebrated Mass together Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Local CWL members from the Cathedral of the Holy Family were part of the welcome provided to those attending the Aug. 9 event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)
CWL National President Shari Guinta (centre) with other leaders at a dinner following Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Convention organizing committee member Wendy Dale adjusts a centrepiece before the dinner. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
National CWL Spiritual Advisor Bishop Wayne Lobsinger with League members from across the country at the Aug. 9 dinner. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A dinner followed Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen with CWL members at the dinner Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Chairs of the national convention planning committee, Melanie Fauchoux and Naomi Selent address the Aug. 9 gathering at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A dinner followed Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Gathering for dinner after Mass Aug. 9. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Prince Albert Bishop Stephen Hero and Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen (l-r) welcome leaders of the Catholic Women’s League from across the country. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca. The Communications Office is supported by donations to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf,ca/baa
