Please note that we have cancelled the November CWL Meeting.  Please note that Father has graciously offered to celebrate the mass on November 10th at 1 p.m.nand he will pray for all absent members who do not feel comfortable or are unable to attend.  As Winnipeg is in Code Red status with COVID, the office is now closed; see below.

  Christian Family Life
     Date: October 21, 2020
Communiqué #11
Care for Our Common Home
  TO: Provincial Chairpersons of Christian Family Life
CC: National Executive (for information)
FROM: Pat Deppiesse, National Chairperson of Christian Family Life
Dear sisters in the League,
I hope and pray you are staying safe and are in good health. I recently sent out a parish council
memo, yet I felt it was important to write to inform chairpersons about messages I recently received
regarding Bill C-7 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). The bill
seeks to expand medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and was re-tabled in parliament on October
th 5.
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition’s October 2020 newsletter explains the changes Bill C-7 would make to the law. I urge you to visit epcc.ca for updates. Alex Schadenberg, executive director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC), requests Canadians write letters to their members of parliament. EPC provides a list of members of parliament and some key talking points including:
1. Bill C-7 must not permit MAiD when a person has become incompetent even if the person was previously approved.
2. Bill C-7 must not eliminate the 10 day waiting period.
3. Bill C-7 must define “psychological suffering” to actually prevent euthanasia for mental
illness alone.
On the same website is a link to a statement from Canadian physicians, “Bill C-7 from MAiD to MAD: Medical Assistance in Dying becomes Medically Administered Death—You no longer need to be dying for your physician to end your life.” Bill C-7 seeks to expand “‘medical assistance in dying’ (MAiD) to virtually everyone who is sick and suffering in Canada,” which would “make our country the world leader in administering death.”
Religious leaders from across Canada including Archbishop Richard Gagnon (Winnipeg) and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), wrote a letter in opposition to Bill C-7 stating, “As Canadians, we can and must do better.” The CCCB calls “on Catholics and all people of good will to make their voices heard in opposition to the Bill.” This letter can be reviewed in full at cccb.ca/media-release/we-can-and-must-do-much-better

     Date: October 22, 2020
Legislation
Care for Our Common Home
Communiqué #10
  TO: Provincial Chairpersons of Legislation
CC: National Executive (for information)
FROM: Betty Colaneri, National Chairperson of Legislation
“It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live the faith, not only with our words, but with our actions” (Pope Francis).
My dear sisters in the League,
It is my hope and prayer that you and your families are staying healthy and safe.
This is my favourite time of year when God brings out His mosaic of colours for the grand finale. Harvest has begun and looking out into the vineyard is a reminder there is so much to be thankful for—even during a pandemic.
The federal government introduced the bill (sponsored by the minister of justice) and have vowed to
The federal government has put Canadians’ health and well-being first throughout the pandemic.
To date, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has helped nearly nine million.
Canadians and their families make ends meet and stay safe. Bill C-4 An Act relating to certain
 Following the proroguing of parliament, members of parliament returned to their parliamentary duties on September 23 . Presently 54 bills are before the House of Commons that have  completed first reading and 11 bills before the Senate that have completed first reading. Unfortunately, Bill C-7 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), has been brought back and is among those that have completed first reading. The measures in response to COVID-19, sponsored by the minister of employment, workforce and development and disability inclusion, received royal assent on October 2 . For Canadians unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19, this legislation creates three new temporary recoverythe  benefits that will be in place for one year beginning September 27 .

A reminder that all councils should be collecting membership dues for 2021.  Dues are to be in to National for Dec. 31^st. 

Please mail the cheque for $27.00 to CWL Saint Mary.

Also, have you noticed that we are not selling any raffle tickets this year?  We are not making perogies?  There is no talk of a bake sale, or collecting warm mitts?   Would you kindly contemplate a donation to Saint Mary CWL in lieu of these activities if you are able.  I know I personally end up buying a lot of raffle tickets to support our charities.   Ow we are asking for you to help, if able, through a donation.  That would be amazing, as this year we are ble to meet our donation goals, but 2021 and a continued pandemic will be another story.

Mail to:

CWL Saint Mary

Box 444 Beausejour, MB R0E0C0.
or if you see Anne, or Paulette, or Barbara, or Marielle at church, give it to them.

Here is a message from today from Paulette.  Please include her father in your prayers  she is in and out of Saint Boniface Hospital.
The Holy Father asked that we pray for those affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). “In this situation of pandemic, in which we find ourselves living more or less isolated, we are invited to rediscover and deepen the value of the communion that unites all the members of the Church.” How true! The Holy Father has composed a prayer to Our Lady, Health of the Sick, to implore her protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps councils and members can recite the prayer during this time of uncertainly. My own pastor at Saturday evening mass said that “this is a time of prayer, not despair.”

Prayer to Our Blessed Mother; by Pope Francis

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, With steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did in Cana of Galilee, Joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, To conform ourselves to the Father’s will And to do what Jesus tells us; He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, Through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. You can watch the Holy Father on YouTube as he speaks directly to those affected by the virus, medical personnel, and volunteers. This is followed by Pope Francis praying the above prayer before the image of Blessed Virgin Mary.

Yesterday, Marielle joined Dave Bortoluzzi to present 2 cases of Coats for Kids to Sherrie Perret at CFS.  They were most appreciatived, and she described a great need.  We donated $300 to the Knights towards this worthy local cause.