Following 6:30 pm Mass, April 7 at the Church, Organization chair Sandra Stajduhar presided at the general meeting of Holy Trinity CWL.Christian Family Life co-chair Allison Smith introduced Ann Godderis of FAIR, who spoke on the services available for seniors in the greater Trail area. Godderis distributed a resource guide, “Closing the Gaps in Seniors’ Care” (a new edition will be available at FAIR in June).Members voiced that low-cost home repair service and housecleaning help are needed for Trail’s limited income seniors. Unfortunately, Trail lacks a centralized one-stop office to assist seniors, such as Nelson’s outstanding Seniors Resource Centre on Vernon Street. Godderis reminded that assistance with Income Tax forms is available at FAIR, Kate’s Kitchen and the Seniors centre downtown. She invited members to support the WINS Clothesline Project, which promotes awareness about violence against women. It will be held April 21, 11-2pm at Ferraro’s parking lot in Trail. Stajduhar thanked Godderis for her commited work.
Past President Teresa Mandoli and Stajduhar, assisted by Spiritual Director Fr. Bart van Roijen, installed new members Lori Williams (mentor Marilyn Taylor) and Colleen Kramer (mentor Lorna Perri). Spiritual co-chair Marlise Gattafoni distributed prayer cards for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, and reminded members of the April 14 ordination to the deaconate of Sylvester Ibekwe in Kelowna. Bunny Dallas, Christian Family Life chair, spoke about the “Joy of the Gospel” course recently held in the parish. She noted there is now a designated space in the church for wheelchairs.
Sister Norma Gallant, Community Life chair, announced that there will be a meeting of provincial and territorial premiers April 13-14 in Quebec City to discuss climate change. The goal is to develop a National Energy Strategy. She reminded members that Pope Francis is preparing an encyclical on the environment to be published this summer.
Under Parish Activities, Linda Zol thanked members for their generous support of the Lenten Soup & Bun lunches, the Palm Sunday Bake Sale and the Food Bank. CWL members will be catering the Trail-Warfield Citizen of the Year ceremony, Tuesday, May 5, 7pm at St. Michael’s School.
Resolutions co-chair Mary Billingsley presented background information re. a “Ban on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Fetuses”. The Kelowna initiated resolution will be discussed at the April 30-May 2 CWL Diocesan convention in Trail.
Convention chair Stajduhar noted that a work party to complete hospitality projects will meet Tuesday April 14 at 7 p.m, at the Gathering Space. Registration deadline for the convention is April 13. Marjorie Nutini, Holy Trinity president, will be the council’s voting delegate, with Linda Zol and Rosemarie Catalano serving as accredited delegates. Members are encouraged to attend the convention.
Stajduhar announced that bioethicist Dr. Moura McQueen will be the keynote speaker at the Provincial CWL convention June 11-13 in Prince George. Informaion and registration forms for the National convention, Aug. 16-19, in Vancouver, can be found in the Winter issue of the League magazine. Fr. Bart encouraged members to read the current issue of “Catholic Missions in Canada” which features a cover story on Billy Villeneuve, a “living saint”.
Gattafoni, assisted by Liz Stephens, concluded the evening with a music video, “Hallelujah”, that inspired members to join in song. The next general meeting will be May 4, with Mary Hamilton, Occupational Therapist, as guest speaker.