St. Simon and St. Jude CWL Council
                                          Newsletter, Dec. 2021    
 

Warm greetings to all St. Simon & St. Jude CWL sisters
   I begin by thanking you for your continued support and membership in this Catholic Women’s Organization of Service. The Catholic Women’s League, country wide, is highly acknowleged for its support of social justice through resolutions, legislation, and education. It also provides us with oportunity for enhancing our own spirituality through prayer.
   The year 2021 is quickly approaching an end.  It has been a year of challenges and changes. The pandemic, for all of us, has certainly changed the way we conduct our council’s ability to continue business as usual. But we all have to look for the positive amidst all the negative. Although we had not been able to hold meetings since March 2020, advances in medical technology and vaccination has allowed us to resume some of our work in limited but positive ways. We were able to safely resume monthly meetings in October with existing pandemic criteria. It was a great feeling to be able to gather and share, something we had all missed. The pandemic also affected our fundraising efforts as our annual bazaar had to be cancelled two years in a row. Not only did we all miss the usual comraderie and excitement of the event but we constantly heard the words…..What? no meatpies??? God willing conditions will change for the better and we can return to those days of penny tables, baked goodies and highly requested, and greatly missed meat pies!!
   The usual social activities had to be curtailed during the long period of lockdown and were replaced with friendship calls that allowed us to connect with and to share our love and support with our members. A team of 12 ladies undertook this labour of love in late March and April and together we managed to reach almost all of our 209 members.Their responses were welcoming and brought them some joy. We hope to establish a program to continue our contact on a more regular basis in the new year. Another benefit was the oportunity to create a Spiritual Bouquet for our Pastor and CWL Spritual Advisor. It was wonderful to be able to include all of our members in this gift for Fr. Kolenchery. The annual Diocean convention was replaced with an online Annual Meeting of Members with 105 ladies present. A very different but successful experience.
   In May, a maple tree  was planted as a gift to our parish on behalf of our council, near the grotto of Our Lady of Fatima in the church yard. Two of our “gardening” members, Dianna Quenneville and Annette Chauvin, along with Fr. Kolenchery, did the honours. This was to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the CWL in Canada and also in conjunction with the theme of the last two years “Care for Our Common Home”. This theme centered on all our responsibilities in caring for our environment and our earthly home. This year, the new two year theme is “Catholic and Living it”.
   A few events were possible as restrictitons lessened in the summer months. The Essex Regional Presidents particiated in a national initiative related to human trafficking called “Operation Maple Leaf”. We gathered outside St. Anne’s church for a photo with various message signs, to show our support for ending human trafficking. We were also able to participate in the 40 Days for Life and the Life Chain, all done in compliance with health and safety measures. Our council had good representation. With the resumption of meetings, you will be pleased to know that we are able to resume collecting necessities for the homeless and re-engage in programs such as Save the Children and  Keep Canada Warm. These are all so rewarding.
   This year, two of our members, Betty Sauvé and Mae Tremblay,  celebrated their 100^th birthday. It was an honour to be able to send them both our good wishes and a birthday mass gift on behalf of all our members.
    July brought us some significant changes and St. Simon & St. Jude parish officially became a family member of the Windsor Lake St Clair Family of Parishes. It brought together St. Anne’s, Good Shepherd, St. Jérome and St. Simon and St. Jude together as a family. As we bid farewell to Fr. Kolenchery who was leaving us after six years, we welcomed Fr. Rob Renaud as our new Siritual Advisor. He has settled in with us quite well after a couple of meetings. We look forward to a fun and rewarding relationship with him. Also, for your information, our CWL councils remain with our respective parishes and not amalgamated into one.
   At our November meeting we held our traditional Ceremony of Remembrance for those members who entered into eternal life. 12 wonderful ladies who passed away between December 2019 and November 2021 were celebrated and remembered. Mary Lou Hamelin and Betty Ann Kelly of our Spritual Development Committee, assisted by Fr. Rob, presented a lovely tribute and prayers for them. Members present shared memories of each of them. CWL masses from our council were said for each of them this year.
   As 2021 is coming to an end and the new year begins, we look forward to a return to participation in events such as the World Day of Prayer, the Rosary at the Grotto (especially in May), visitation program, bazaar and more. Also, 2022 will be the 100^th anniversay of the St. Simon & St. Jude council and we hope to be able to plan a celebration. We continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and a return to our goals of charity and service.
   In closing, on behalf of your St. Simon & St. Jude CWL executive, may you be blessed abundantly during this Holy time of the year and may the celebration of the birth of Our Savior bring you Peace, Joy and Love. God Bless and keep all of you and your families in His Divine Providence and may Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide us and intercede for us.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy and Healthy New Year
From your St. Simon and St. Jude CWL Council  Executive