November 2011
Rev. Father Patrick, Diocesan Executive, Branch and Diocesan Members it is with a mixture of pleasure and sadness that I present to you a report for 2011 and my final report as Diocesan President. The past four years have been very enriching and enjoyable. They filled a need in my life and helped me to develope as a person. I used to be amazed at people in office who knew the names of members and where they came freom. I feel that I am now in that position and this has only come about because of the love and friendship that has been extended to me over these four years. I read somewhere that leadership starts in your heart. It is about Passion, Belief, Attitude, Commitment, Influence and Inspiration. I hope I have been able to convey these sentiments to you all and that i have also learnt from you. I need to thank Margaret Bartley for presevering in approaching me to stand for the vacancy and to Margaret McMahon for being such a wonderful mentor to me over my first three years.
2011 has been a memorable year for Catholic Women’s League. The participation of all branches in the various activities is something for which members can feel justly proud. The support you gave to one another in time of need and to the Diocesan Ececutive and in turn to the State Executive, with the closing of the National Secretariat was very encouraging.
Another full year of activities has the Dioces well connected and the attendance of many of you at these functions meant the bond of friendship has extended beyound the branch boundary. This year’s events which included a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon and Mass for the Unborn on the Feast of the Annunciation in March, WUCWO Mass and Pilgrimage to the Diocesan Marian Shrine on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians in May, Mass for Abused Children on the Feast of St Maria Goretti and the Biennial Conference in July, Mass for St Mary of the Cross Mackillop in August, the Biennial National Conference and the Consoling Mass in September and International Day in October has meant that there was something for everyone to attend. This is not taking into account branch involvement with community events such as World Day of Prayer, White Ribbon Day, the International Day for support against violence to women and children, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and similar events.
Diocesan bi-monthly meetings were held at Bellambi in February, June and November, Berry in April and August and Moss Vale in October. To the branches which acted as hosts for the day go my thanks for your hospitality and support. All the meetings throughout the year were very well attended and I would to thank branches for having delegates present – remember you are the Diocese and the Executive can only act with your direction and support. We had guest speakers at to meetings – Peter Presdee in August and Trish McCarthy in October. During the year we also had a Chaplain appointed by Bishop Peter. Father Partick Vaughan is a devout holy man and very approachable. It was a pleasure to have him at our biennial conference and for many of you to get to meet him. We are so lucky to have him. It was also through him that we have had a branch re-established in the Parish of Port Kembla.
This year we had an appael from Sister Yvonne Heffernan from the Matthew Talbot Hostel for goods for women. The goods that came in filled the back of a utility – 14 boxes. Also the appeal via the Police Force to assist women and children in the Northern Territory was also outstanding. Your continued support fo the Seminarian Supporters Fund through Catholic Mission is once againg a credit to all members. This is apart from your own charities and the support you give to the Bishop’s Bursary Fund, Prison Fellolwship and Least Coin. Thank you all for your generosity.
During the year I visited Gwynville, Kiama, Moss Vale and Wollongong Branch meetings. I represented the Diocese at Armidale and Broken Bay Diocesan Conferences and attended the 25 year celebrations for Parramatta Diocese and the Ordination of Bishop Peter Comensoli. Major acheivements of the year i nclude the Biennial Conference in July, the Consoling Mass in September and the revision of the Diocesan By-Laws into the Diocesan Operational Procedures. This will bring a new way of administering the Diocese and with the support of all it should prove successful.
I would like to acknowledge the work done by the Portfolio officers – Mary Murphy (Bioethics and Social Responsibilities), Diana Lyon (Promotions), Judy Thompson (Communications) and Margaret Frew for her connection with Bridges of Friendship – and thank them for the efforts.
The office bearers – Senior Vice President & Liaison Officer Sue Freestone; Area Presidents: Beth Stewart, Colleen Hopewell and Rosemary Francis. Secretary Anne Kelly. Treasurer Isobel Fitzgerald, and International Secretary Mary Smith – have all been of tremendous support to me and the Diocese for the way they carried out their duties. Former Secretary Margaret McMahon carried on her role as Editor for “The Flame” and correspondence to “The Vine” and could be relied upon at all times for advice and assistance.
Many members would not be aware of the assistance also given by the staff of the Bishop’s Office and I would publicly like to offer my thanks to Lorraine Tobin, Jane Edwards, and Helen Bennett for the help they provide whenever assistance is required.
To the priests of the DIocese who have celebrated Mass for us – Fathers Ron Peters; Mark O’Keefe; Vince Whiteman; Chris Roberts and Bernard Dowdell – thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to enable us to share the Eucharist with one another.
The Diocese will continue to thrive under the leadership of Sue Freestone of The Oaks. I know you will all support her and I wish her God’s blessing on her term ahead.
Lastly, I would like to thank my husband, John, for his love, care and patience while I attended to CWL business over the last four years. I would not have done whatever I did, or attended as many functions as I did. if not for his support.
With the guidence of teh Holy Spirit, the protection of Our Lady Help of Christians and the theme from our biennial conference, “we can do everything through God who gives us strength”, our Diocese is well geared to fulfill the objects of Catholic Women’s League to ‘enable women to participate more fully in working for and building the Kingdom of God”.
Sue Meehan
Diocesan President
