Children from St James Catholic School entertained CWL members at the conference dinner in Palmerston North, in April.
WelCom June 2017: Palmerston North Diocese members of the Catholic Women’s League of Aotearoa New Zealand met over 26 and 27 April for their biennial conference at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. Women from New Plymouth, Inglewood, Napier and Pahiatua as well as visitors from other branches listened to a range of presenters and discussed key topics.
Speakers included CWL’s National President Kay Blackburn; Susan Dickson, CWL National Social Concerns Office; Shirley Duthie from Central Hawke’s Bay, who presented an update about the euthanasia submissions; Bev Raine, who spoke about the environment; and speakers from PARS Inc (formerly known as the Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society).
Members were reminded of founder Margaret Fletcher’s vision – dignity, equality and freedom for women – and to be an active and positive influence in the life of the Church and society, including using social media as a way of communicating social issues and concerns to political leaders.
They also learned more about the organisation, Pillars, their fundraising project for this year. The charitable organisation helps the 20,000 children in New Zealand with a parent in prison. Research reveals these children are nine times more likely to end up in prison than other Kiwi children. When a parent is serving a sentence in prison their child can face a sentence of their own.
Pillars is dedicated to supporting these children with a researched-based mentoring and family-support programme. The organisation helps these children to live positive lives and, at the same time, break the cycle of offending in families. Working directly with the children so they can lead positive lives is an intervention that can help reduce future crime, poverty, welfare dependency and the costs of these social issues to New Zealand. It is a programme CWL is pleased to support.
CWL conferences are a great opportunity to learn more about CWLANZ, be inspired and enjoy the company of other members.
For more information about activities and membership contact: Rae O’Grady, CWL Diocesan President at email raogrady@xtra.co.nz or Janice Goldsworthy, CWL Diocesan Secretary at janicegoldsworthy45@gmail.com or visit CWL’s website at www.cwl.org.nz to learn more about the organisation and its work.
Rae O’Grady, CWL Diocesan President