Dear Sisters in the League
It was wonderful to see everyone at the 102nd Annual Hamilton Diocesan Convention in Hamilton and to finally celebrate 100+ years of the League in Hamilton Diocese. It was an exciting weekend filled with great presentations from our guest speakers, updated information, beautiful Masses and dancing with the Spirit Bear Drummers.
There were fifty-six parishes represented at the convention to give their voice on the National instructed votes. Along with a historical breaking record of forty-six members who were attending their FIRST diocesan convention. I hope they were enlightened, encouraged and inspired by being together with their fellow Sisters in the League.
We honoured three members at the closing banquet with the “Frances Lovering Women of the Year Award”. The award winners are: 2020 Frances Lovering winner – Terry Murphy, St. Andrew, Oakville; 2021 Frances Lovering winner – Marlene Lehman, St. Boniface, Maryhill; 2022 Frances Lovering winner – Olivia Gibson, Mary Mother of God, Oakville.
I am honoured to accept the office of Diocesan President for 2022 – 2024 and have been blessed with a wonderful executive. They are:
Diocesan Spiritual Advisor – Father Larry Parent
Past President Historian – Life Member Pat Crawford
President Elect, Organization Chair – Teresa DiFalco
1st Vice President, Spiritual Development Chair – Laura Grint
2nd Vice President, Christian Family Life Chair – Joanne Palmer
Treasurer – Mary Clark
Education & Health Chair – Francesca Simone
Resolutions Chair – Mary Helwig-Hall
Life Member Liaison – Ana Sousa
I will be calling upon members to fill the remaining officer positons and regional chairs, so please open your heart to a willingness to serve on the Diocesan Executive.
I thank the outgoing executive for all their hard work and dedication for the last three years. Their compassion, deep faith, and abiding love of the League has been a wonderful example of their leadership.
For the next two years, I will work hard, continue to learn and grow in my role as Diocesan President. My hope is to instill in the members their importance to the League, encourage them in their ministry and to serve with joy.
The new diocesan theme for the next two years is “Sharing His Promise, Love and Hope!” Every member can and does make a difference but together we can make Canada and the world a better place.
May I live every day with a heart like Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Your Sister in the League
Joyce Cotter
Diocesan President
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada