stcatharines.cwl.on.ca

Dear Sisters in the League:

I wish to express my gratitude for your warm welcome to me as your new Diocesan Spiritual Advisor appointed earlier this year by our bishop.

This will be the second time I have been called upon to serve in this capacity and I am confident that the positive experience I have always enjoyed with the League on the parish and diocesan level, coupled with my exposure to the excellent work done on the Provincial and National levels, will assist me in my role. All members of the League should be aware of the gratitude and support of the Church leadership which the diocesan spiritual advisor represents at the local level. Together, we will forge ahead to help all Catholic women to get a greater sense of their calling as disciples of Jesus Christ and beloved daughters of the Father. As you know, so much of the League involves calling out and developing gifts of service amongst the membership to build a stronger Church and a kinder, more compassionate world, beginning with our great nation of Canada.

Through presentations made by our many competent chairs, the membership becomes further educated on contemporary issues while being steeped in Catholic spirituality, a powerful combination which surely has an effect in the lives of all who share in this great organization.

Anyone who is familiar with the Catholic Women's League is likely to be impressed by the degree of organization that is found there. It truly is something to behold and something we should all be proud of as Canadian Catholics. The fact that this assembly of women has a voice on both the Provincial and National levels of government speaks to the power to influence for good which the CWL possesses. In these times of greater movement away from traditional Christian values, the League is a beacon of hope, a significant voice for all that is good, wholesome and human, following our Lord's call to build His Kingdom. I am proud to be a part of it and ask for the prayers of each member that I may always give sage spiritual counsel and support so that the best may be brought out of each person.

For God and Canada, Fr. Richard Kowalchuk