OUR LEADERSHIP
DIOCESAN OFFICERS
Teresa DiFalco
Diocesan President
Church ministry has always been ubiquitous in Teresa's life. She continues to serve in many capacities including as Director for Music and Liturgy, as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion, as a Cantor/Psalmist, Choir Director, Adorer, Anointed Vocalist, and also participates in other ministries and committees. For decades Teresa has been studying and directing liturgy and holds designations in Catholic Theology and Church Liturgy, and is currently studying Church Doctrine.
Serving the people of God is a trait that defines Teresa. Her greatest attributes are integrity, compassion, kindness, being just, loyal and humble. Her heart is most content when she is in service to God's people, especially to those most in need. For the past 35 years Teresa has been known as a compassionate and effective advocate for social and environmental justice. She was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, and received the Sesquicentennial Constituent Award from House of Commons for her service to community. Teresa co-founded and incorporated an Association for Safe and Healthy Communities and currently serves as its President. She stays involved in community through advocacy, politics, and serving on committees and boards. She is also an innovative and effective charitable fundraiser.
Teresa finds peace in the stillness of prayer. Her safe place is in her husband's arms (yes, she is a romantic). She loves angels and loves giving and receiving hugs. Teresa finds joy in being around family and friends, gardening, cooking, interior design, studying, traveling and laughing. Music is prevalent in Teresa's life, a trait that runs in her bloodline. She enjoys singing in choirs, as a lead singer in a praise and worship band, an anointed soloist in a healing ministry duo, and as a lead female singer in a special events band.
Teresa has enjoyed a long professional career in public service where she worked as a Senior Executive and Strategist with the Ontario Government in Queen's Park. She also worked in private sector, including as a Publisher. Teresa feels blessed to have accumulated a vast amount of knowledge, skills and experience in the areas of law, governance, policy/procedure, parliamentary procedure, strategic planning and implementation, finance, issues management, human rights, health and long-term care, labour relations, communications & marketing, team building, and operations. Additionally, Teresa has a keen sense of political acuity and is known for her strong problem solving and critical-thinking skills. She uses these skills, knowledge and God given gifts in service to others, primarily working pro-bono to help the most vulnerable. As she puts it "I work hard for the cause not for the cash". Teresa is a firm believer in Saint Peter's passage "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful servants of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
Teresa is honoured to serve as your Hamilton Diocesan President Elect responsible for Organization.
Laura Grint
Diocesan Vice-President; Diocesan Chairperson of Organization
This woman was born in Hamilton’s north end (St. Mary’s pro Cathedral parish) and then moved east to (St. Luke’s parish area in 1972) is the wife of Mark for 37 years (5 year apprenticeship) and the mother of three boys, Derek and Ashley, Christopher and Amanda, and Michael and Jenn. Not always a quiet household. She thinks God gave her boys (not to carry on the family name, but that too) but because she couldn’t do girls hair, (the hair part being attested to by her granddaughter). She has two beautiful grandchildren Breanne 14 and Konnor 12 years old and one new grandchild on the way. In 1985 they moved from Hamilton to Cambridge, Derek being born in Hamilton and Christopher and Michael being born in Cambridge.
Most of her working life was based in secretarial positions, as we moved from the typing age into the computer era. Not one to be left behind this woman enrolled in her second night class at GCI at the age of 24 and learned how to program along with 20 odd other adults who didn’t want to be left behind in their careers either as companies transitioned. Which lead her to be a credit reporter for the Credit Bureau of Kitchener and Waterloo. When the boys were growing up shewas home for a while but still remained busy in the community in neighbourhood centres, school councils, and part of the “Secret Service of the Catholic Women’s League” until in the 26thyear when she was called up into service. She now has 40 years to her accreditation.
This woman took out her membership at 17 for $2.00 and was reimbursed by her paternal grandmother when she returned from church, not that she was expecting it but because she believed in the works of the League. She thought it would befun just to belong. Her paternal grandmother would have made a great Legislation Chair or Resolution Chair, as she always kept her nose to politics, but stayed home to care for her mother and 4th son who was born with Spina–bifida. The parish always wanted her to run as president. All of the women in her families were proud Catholic Women’s League members, her maternal great grandmother being born in 1889 and a convert to the faith.
This woman loves to read (transitioned from romance to healthy lifestyles ugh), spent two years life guarding at Camp Brebuef as a teenager (she thinks her father thought distance might help things! Lol) and that was real service and also outlined her current work with special needs children now. She loves to swim, share acup of tea (please go and share a cup sometime), time with friends (especially going to Costco with Jackie the return queen) and getting a Costco ice cream, travelling with her sister(s) in the car (she can only live with her bio sister for 10 days tops! and she knows this. Lol), she loves to cook and especially bake and dislikes the clean up.
She loves watching the results of encouraging other women to their best potential and seeing results. She only drinks wine out of wine glasses, no plastic and has different cups for coffee and tea.
This woman is Laura Grint!
Joanne Palmer
Diocesan Secretary; Diocesan Chairperson of Communications
Besides spending time with her family, she volunteers and coaches for Special Olympics. Joanne got involved with Special Olympics because of her daughter. Ashley has been an athlete for the past 6 years.
She is also active in her parish by being a lector, minister of communion and baptismal preparation. If you were to ask people who know Joanne they would say she is a very caring and loving person. She is very passionate in all that she does and is willing to help whenever she can.
Joanne is very passionate in her job as an educational assistant for the Catholic School Board of Hamilton. When working with her students it gives her a warm feeling when she sees a smile on their faces in what they have accomplished either big or small. Joanne is looking forward to the next two years as she continues on the Hamilton Diocesan Catholic Women’s League.
Mary Clark
Diocesan Treasurer
Mary was born the 4th of 7 children at St. Joseph Hospital, Guelph and has lived in the Elora area the majority of her lifetime. She and her husband Paul have been married for 42 years. They have three children, Christopher, Jessica and Jennifer, along with their significant others, two granddaughters Sophie and Emily and grandson Colton.
Mary's mother (God rest her soul) enrolled her into the Catholic Women's League in 1976 after graduating from college. She enrolled her two daughters since the ages of 18 and 16 as members, by using the example set out by her Mother. Thanks to a very understanding husband and supportive family, she has served on the executive of St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Women's League, Elora as Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Organization Chair, Pres-Elect, Co-President and President. She works full time in the accounting department at DeBoer's Farm Equipment, Elora. An evening or two a week, she does the bookkeeping for St. Mary Immaculate Church, Elora and its Mission parish St. Martin of Tours, Drayton. She spends her spare time with her family and friends, reading and volunteering in other areas in and outside of her faith community. Mary enjoys keeping busy and being out there giving of her time and supporting others.
Mary is looking forward to the next two years with God's help and your prayers to keep you informed as to the financial status of the Diocesan Council. She encourages you to reach out to her at any time with any questions or concerns by email at [email protected]
Joyce Cotter
Diocesan Past-President
Joyce was confirmed in the United Church but joined the Catholic Church in 1991. Joyce sings in the choir, is part of the collection counting team, and St. Vincent de Paul. She has been a member of The Catholic Women’s League for 28 years at St. Joseph, Fergus.
At council level, Joyce served as resolutions/legislation chair, president for 5 years, and past president. Joyce held the position of Kitchener regional chair, and was elected to diocesan spiritual development chair, 2nd vice-president and Christian family life chair, president-elect and organization chair. She is currently serving as Hamilton Diocesan President.
Joyce has worked with the public for over 27 years as a cashier at Zehrs. She loves to read, watch movies, listen to music and is a football fan.
Joyce feels privileged to be a part of The Catholic Women’s League. Her life has been enriched by the gifts of friendship, of purpose in serving the Lord, and seeing Christ through member’s action. She believes all members can make a difference and hopes to inspire and encourage you to share your gifts and faith within your council, parish and community.
Kathryn Imperatore
Diocesan Chairperson of Faith
Maricris Limson
Diocesan Chairperson of Service
Mary Helwig Hall
Diocesan Chairperson of Social Justice
Mary brings her enthusiasm and passion to everything she does and hopes to use her time as Resolutions Chair to educate councils in the important work that the CWL does “For God and Canada”. She hopes to raise greater awareness in the process of bringing grassroots issues regarding public policies related to health, education, social media, financial literacy or ANY ISSUE which affects the well being of Canadian Citizens, First Nations People, Immigrants and Refugees. Please contact her by email or text to discuss any issues or concerns which the CWL could actively be involved in as advocates to government (Municipal, Provincial, Federal).
Father Ranjan D'Sa
Diocesan Spiritual Advisor
Fr. Ranjan D’Sa OCD was born in Mangalore – on the western coast of India, to the south of Goa – on first of March, 1973. He is the last among seven children to his parents.
Though he was Born in Mangalore, his ancestry was connected to Mudubelle in short Belle. The rise and growth of the town and the parish is intricately connected with the D’Sa Family. According to the family annuls the Great-Grandfather of Fr. Ranjan D’Sa, Alex D’Sa, after migrating to a small village opened the first provision store in the village, later a textile and tailoring shop and eventually a bakery. This was the humble beginning of the rise of a flourishing town today. Alex D’Sa built a small Chapel for the sake of a few villager and encouraged Catholic faith amidst the strong Hindu neighborhood. Today Mudubelle has become one of the biggest parish community in the diocese of Udupi.
Fr. Ranjan grew up mostly in Kirem, Mangalore, where he did all his early studies living with his Grandmother. His Grandma, Louisa Aranha was his hero. She was a well-educated and an industrious woman, well known and respected in his town. Most of his fond memories of early childhood are associate with his grandma. She is still a great inspiration to him.
After passing his high school, Father D’Sa joined the Carmelite monastic life in Mangalore. Almost 13 years of studying in the seminary and experiencing the monastic lifestyle, on December 29th, 2001, he was ordained as a priest in his hometown. He has for his credit a master’s degree in philosophy, which he did with the well acclaimed universities of India, the Karnataka University of Dharwad. Soon after the ordination Fr. Ranjan taught philosophy to the young seminarians for three years. He was the first director of the Pushpashrama social work institute in Mysore, run by the Carmelites and the director of candidates who wished to joined Carmelite religious life.
Before coming to Canada Fr. D’Sa lived in New York for four year. During that time, he also completed another Master’s Degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Fordham University. He served as an assistant Pastor in Holy Trinity Parish, North Vancouver for a year. From October 2010 until he came to Oakville, father served as a pastor at St. Andrew the Apostle parish in London Ontario.
Fr. Ranjan belongs to a religious Order who take solemn vow of poverty, obedience, and celibacy. The main charism of the order is prayer and contemplation. A lot of great saints of the church are connected or influenced by the spirituality of Carmel. The order has its members in almost 75 countries. The Carmelite Sisters at St. Agatha, Ontario – near Kitchener- belong to the same order of Carmelites.