WUCWO International Secretary
WUCWO INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY’S REPORT TO CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE NATIONAL CONFERENCE KINGSGATE HOTEL HAMILTON 16th -19th JULY 2008.
It is indeed my pleasure to present on behalf of my WUCWO team this report.
May WUCWO Day of Prayer this year were celebrated in a variety of ways. Very much utilizing the knowledge and friendship of the Families from the Philippines who have come to live in our parishes. Some came and themed the church with harvest gifts of rice, fish, fruit, wine and flowers. Some ladies spoke on their faith and their lives in the Philippines prior to coming to New Zealand, some brought the magnificent painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help their patron Saint to place at the alter for Mass. Others shared food and fellowship after the service, Queenstown honoured four members with one 50 year, two 40 year, and one 10 year awards. Families came along as a surprise for the recipients and shared the mass. These occasions are very strengthening for our league as they invite parishioners and other faiths in our community to share this special occasion with us. I like the way many branches combine this celebration.
Women’s Voice:
A wonderful opportunity to be a part of our world wide faith. If each branch could subscribe to this magazine then share it with their branch there is a wide variety of topics for us to share. I would like to draw your attention to and item from the March 2008 issue. On the Dignity of Women Father Gian Maria Polidoro o.f.m the Eccesiastical Assistant to Karen Hurley Our President General. Father titled his address Sign of the Times. And I quote “I have thought of so many women I have met, and in a special way My Mother and My sister What does a reflection on the dignity of women mean to me? The first answer is I have no need to look for reasons for their dignity because looking at my mother’s image I see the dignity and loveliness of the woman. From her face (and the faces of so many women) I can see dignity which I do not hesitate to call queenly dignity.
Our Holy Father on his recent trip to America reminded men and women of our God given dignity. A reality of the dignity of women is a “capacity for the other”, which elicits life and contributes to the growth and protection of all those entrusted to our care. This topic was one we were asked to contribute to earlier this year, Our response stemmed more from our Social Concerns Issues for that is the area we continue to work in. Interestingly the questions were part of a request for submission to the Pontifical Council for the Laity which organized the International congress celebrating 20th anniversary of the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem (1988-2008) February 7th -9th 2008 Rome Italy. 250 participants from the five continents assembled in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for the laity. Their main objectives being to review the process made of the last 20 years in the advancement of women and recognision of their dignity. There is a report from Brenda Finlayson Vice President General of WUCWO who lives in Australia. Brenda is the editor of Women’s Voice.
The second article was from Sheilagh Preston from Britain Titled Not for Sale. Mary Slattery my WUCWO officer from Christchurch alerted me to the Consultation on a Plan of action to Prevent People Trafficking. Here WUCWO data can help us send in a positive submission. As usual submissions close 31st July. This really falls under the umbrella of Social Concerns, However information from WUCWO’s experience may be helpful. As we have members on the United Nations who frequently speak to this issue. Some members may well have first hand knowledge of this happening in New Zealand, your input would be a great help.
WEB SITE:
www.wucwo.org-wwwumofe.org. This site keeps us up to date with what is happening right round the world.
We may well feel what can we say what can we do. That is not an uncommon thought. We don’t always have to everything however we do have families and people within our parishes who can share their knowledge and expertise with us.
WUCWO DONATIONS AND WOMEN’S VOICE SUBSCRIPTIONS
We paid $1590 for magazines and ourf donation to WUCWO including the fees was $7.804 thank you ladies, what a magnificent effort. Gillian Badcock the General Secretary personally thanked me in Washington for your contributions. She said for a small country our giving was outstanding. That was when she asked me to write an article for the Women’s Voice which I titled Love in Action for that is what you are.
We are always answering papers on how we in New Zealand deal with many issues and I thought for once could we possibly implementing something which we could use in New Zealand however may also be able to be of use in other countries.
In Conjunction with another group I work with we complied a brochure called Violence free begins with me. Which could easily be adapted for each branch or parish, 90% of the numbers are 0800 just a few local numbers may be need to be added. Let me explain. I do have a copy for everyone. Okay what’s the cost? How do we raise the money. Queenstown does have the master so there is no setting up cost. As with most orders higher volume is a better purchase for instance 1000 can cost $649.00 however 5000 would be $908. excluding GST. You may well gain a better price from friends and relations, that’s fine. We put them into schools, churches, hospitals, medical centre’s, mental health unit, CAB, everywhere people meet virtually. The issue of funding the government is hot on the issue of Violence and is presently funding adds, abuse centre’ etc. I am mindful many of these issues of violence stem from gambling and drink so pub charities and casino’s are a ready source of funding. You each will know your area and if this is feasible.
On the 5th April this year I experienced 72nd Conference of CWL Christchurch. On my visit to each Diocesan Conference I have met the heart of League. The welcome, the spiritual faith sharing, the fun and the fellowship have been an amazing blessing.
I now wish to express my thanks to my WUCWO officers for their tireless work, over the past four years. To Father Jo Stack My Eccesiastical assistant for his friendship and guidance particularly while we were working in Washington D.C. A special thank you to Barbara Wilkinson, my mentor and amazing traveling companion. You guided me well as I learnt my new role my friend. To the Board on which it has been my delight to be a small part of thank you for your friendship love and support. I am going to miss you all. In closing this official part I wish to share a few thoughts that I prepared for the Dunedin Diocesan Conference.
With the thought that God is more interested in what you are than what you do God wants unity not uniformity our differences must not divide us.
A church sign I enjoyed No perfect people need apply.
Have you heard people say I am looking for a church that meets my needs and blesses me not I’m looking for a place to serve and be a blessing.
This blessing is for you all. For to me this is what you are.
Blessed is she who suffers with the very young, the very old and the very lonely for she has compassion.
Blessed is she who greets the world with joy, laughter and anticipation, for she has courage.
Blessed is she who speaks gently, lives humbly and chooses to give freely for she has dignity.
Blessed is she who listens and hears and extends her hand to a friend. For she has understanding.
Blessed is she who gives simply, loves deeply and walks joyfully in life for she has sincerity.
Blessed is she who lives intensely and sings life’s alleluias, for she has awareness.
Blessed is she who has compassion and courage, freedom and dignity, understanding, sincerity and awareness, for she is a woman, a gift, a blessing.
Fae Robertson. WUCWO International Secretary for New Zealand.