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Catholic Women's League Australia 42nd Biennial Conference 14-16 September 2005

CWLA Submissions 2004-2005

Photos

Conference Group Conference Group Conference Group

NSW State Report

In recognition of the Year of the Eucharist proclaimed by Pope John Paul II, our working theme for 2005 is: "Women of the Eucharist" which gives emphasis to our Mission Statement which is:

To be a Eucharistic Community which upholds the dignity of women and encourages their participation in Church and Society, to fulfil the mission of the Church.

Membership

At the end of this financial year we had one thousand nine hundred and thirty six members drawn from eighty-one Branches and seven Dioceses. In addition, there are eighty-one Diocesan members and the Sydney Archdiocesan Metropolitan Evening Branch has thirteen members.

Spirituality

The State Liturgy Officer, in consultations with Chaplain Fr Sarkis, prepares the liturgy for special events and Council Meetings. Member Organisations report that days of reflection and prayer are organised on a regular basis and are well attended.

Ecumenism and Inter-Faith Involvement

Members attend services and functions of other denominations, which include Australian Church Women, Anglican Mothers'Union, and World Day of Prayer.

Mrs Carmel Keys is President - Elect for Australian Church Women New South Wales unit.

State Council

The State Council meets twice per year and the meetings are convened over two days, which gives an opportunity for members from the rural and city areas to interact and exchange ideas.

State Office

The State Executive Committee meets at least six times per year: We attend the conferences and various functions/celebrations of the member Organisations and it is a joy to be welcomed with kind hospitality and true fellowship, which also provides the opportunity to meet and speak with the general members.

The State Secretary distributes a monthly circular, which gives information from the National Body and other like-minded organisations within the Church and Society and any relevant and pertinent issues.

We have formed sub committees to upgrade the Constitution and By - Laws and also to develop a brochure for Promotion and Marketing of our Organisation.

A campaign to promote Catholic Women's League was launched in each Diocese to take place as close as practicable to the Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians. Members were encouraged to 'show-case' their activities with hope of attracting new members.

Communication

We sincerely thank and commend Mrs Patricia Waters for her many years of dedicated hard work in producing the State newsletter "The Vine". We welcome Noeline Kelly and her Team who have taken up the challenge to continue this vital link between State Executive and Members.

Each of the Member Organisations produces a newsletter which provides interesting information and news of happenings within their own Branches and Dioceses.

Members are also continuing with Information Technology training, which certainly assists in dispersing information from one point to the next quickly.

Networking

We retain membership with National Council of Women. State Social Responsibilities Co - ordinator, Margaret Bartley, attended the National Council of Women Australia Mid-Term Meeting held in Canberra this year. CWLA-NSW worked with NCW - NSW to prepare a motion pertaining to Poverty that was presented at this Conference.

The Trilogy

The Trilogy - Catholic Women's League, Knights of the Southern Cross and St Vincent de Paul - exists within Dioceses; we give support to each other and attempt to address relevant current issues.

Members have given support to Breast Cancer Research by organising various functions; Pink Breakfasts, Lunches etc.!

Our members were also involved in the White Ribbon Campaign (held each November) to raise awareness of the International Day of Violence Against Women (IDVAW).

Portfolio Positions - Bioethics and Social Responsibilities - The convenors of these areas are diligent in keeping our members informed of all relevant matters and encouraging them to take appropriate action where necessary.

Our members attend many forums relating to specific issues, eg trafficking in women and children, abortion, violence against women, refugees etc.

World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations

The State International Secretary promotes WUCWO Day of Prayer and keeps our members informed on all matters pertaining to WUCWO. CWLA - NSW had good representation at the Asia Pacific Conference, which was held in Fiji.

Members are involved in many apostolates and give practical support to a number of projects. To name just a few: -

So much is being achieved! We just need to remember that it's important to also include FUN and FELLOWSHIP on the agenda.

A very successful State Conference was held in the Armidale Diocese in September 2004 and Sydney Archdiocese will be host in August 2006. You will all be very welcome.

I congratulate National President Thora and the Executive Committee for the time and energy given to their leadership role during their tenure of Office and for the organisation of this conference.

I thank sincerely my Executive Committee, State Council Members and State Chaplain Fr Sarkis for their untiring support to me and for their dedication and loyalty to this unique organisation. To each of our members, I assure them that they are truly valued and are indeed WONDERFUL WOMEN.

Peg McEntee OAM
President

National International Secretary's Report

This past year has once again provided me with the opportunity to represent Catholic Women's League Australia on the International scene. We may be just a little drop in the ocean on our own, but when we join in with like-minded international organizations we become a 'mighty ocean'.

This was very obvious when pro - family, pro - life organizations joined together in Doha, Qatar to produce the Doha Declaration on the Family to conclude the International Year of the Family + 10. The Conference drew together people representing organizations from many diverse cultures and religions. Yet all were in agreement that the 'natural family' is the cornerstone of society and that 'the family' is made up of a mother (female), a father (male) and children.

A Questionnaire was received from WUCWO titled "International Decade of Promotion of a Culture of Non-violence and Peace for the Benefit of the Children of the World". Although the timing was not good, we were able to get good responses so were able to send off our replies on the due date.

Freda Lambert, WUCWO Ecumenical Convenor, requested an update of our involvement in ecumenical areas. This was forwarded to her as she was required to give an updated report at the Board Meeting in Rome in February.

WUCWO has also released the report on action taken by its Member Organisations on the Resolutions from the Rome Assembly. It is interesting to note that Australia was able to provide information on all the resolutions, Germany (KFD) reported on only one resolution, namely No 5 "Violence Against Women".

A Questionnaire was received from the UN office for NGO�s requesting that we provide answers on the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) and the Outcome of the Twenty Third Special Session of the General Assembly by our government. The Office of the Status of Women web page proved to be a great source for information and a reply was sent.

We were also required to send in information on what we as an Non Government Organisation are doing in conjunction with the 'Aims and Objects of ECOSOC'. This was sent mid-year via email. Just prior to Christmas I received an urgent email requesting that I reply to the previous request. This time I faxed the information (8 pages). I have heard nothing since.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) session held in New York this year was a celebration of Beijing + 10. It was quite disappointing and many felt the same way. Little was achieved other than to reaffirm the Beijing Platform for Action. This has been done in most documents over the past 9 years.

Many NGO's supported by Government delegates are trying very hard to have 'abortion' recognized as a woman's human right. The US delegation eventually with the support of the many pro - life, pro - family NGO's and some government delegates were able to have this position clarified with the Chair of the Commission stating that the BPfA did not include the right to abortion nor did it introduce any new human rights.

It is important for people to realize that the Beijing Platform for Action is just that, a Platform for Action.

Their aim now is to make the Millennium Development Goals women - centred and to have sexual and reproductive rights and health services included in the Goals. In UN language, health services include 'abortion'.

The government delegates spent most of the second week preparing Resolutions. The head of the Australian Delegation stated that Australia would not co - sponsor any of the Resolutions, even though many were worthwhile, as they did not come to the CSW meeting to waste time preparing resolutions. Some of these resolutions have been presented year after year with just a few word changes.

As the last guest at The Dalton Centre this year, it was very sad having to say good-bye to the Sisters who have been so welcoming to the members of CWLA who have stayed with them while in New York. They looked upon CWLA members as part of their family. We have been truly blessed in having a home away from home in New York.

My sincere thanks to the Member Organisation International Secretaries for their continued support in getting out information to members and for the work they do on behalf of WUCWO.

To Maree Triffett and Mary Uhlmann, my sincere thanks for your friendship and support. The internet has made it much easier to pass on and share information with one another.

Lastly, to our National President Thora, my sincere thanks for your support and friendship.

As we "Light Tomorrow with Today" let us go forward in Hope in the Risen Lord.

God Bless.
Madge Fahy,
NIS-CWLA Inc