SOCIAL JUSTICE

As per Ontario Provincial Council and Toronto District Council guidelines, the CWL council at St. Patrick’s Parish has been actively working on educating and empowering our members on the importance and dignity of Human Life.

We have had some successful and powerful speakers address us on the value of sustaining and supporting life from natural birth to death.

These include Dr. Moira McQueen, Executive Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute at U of T, who spoke to us in detail of the history of the Euthanasia movement and its effect on our beliefs.

Josie Luetke, is a Director of Education and Advocacy for Campaign a life. She gave us an incredibly detailed validation on saving births and sent us a slew of documentary links on how advocacy works in time of crises.

Our most recent Council talk has been from Kathy Musiak Costa, Director of Compassionate Community Care and a dedicated supporter of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, who has now started a Volunteer Programme for Senior Support, on issues that matter.

Locally, we have started an Outreach Programme for our Homebound Senior members. Through mailing cards, telephone calls, visiting and celebratory gift baskets we hope to expand this programme, to make our valuable members that are now unseen, that they are not unheard of.

We also continue to refresh our new members on issues of our charities, by inviting relevant personnel, to update us on issues like Human trafficking, 360*kids, etc.

CWL National

Welcome to the Earth Day Activity Toolkit, which consists of resources designed to inspire and empower members in caring for God’s creation.

In publications like Laudato Si’, Pope Francis emphasizes that caring for the environment is a fundamental part of Catholic faith and social justice. Responding to this call, the League has increasingly emphasized environmental stewardship through resolutions, position papers and, most importantly, member action. Members exemplify the spirit of stewardship.

Why focus on Earth Day 2025 as a climate protection initiative? Although many days highlight environmental concerns, Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, was chosen for its broad application to environmental stewardship. Moreover, 2025 is a key year for international climate commitments, making it a pivotal moment for support for stronger environmental action.

Nancy Boucher, a member of the national social justice subcommittee, has prepared this toolkit to offer Earth Day activities focused on environmental care and social justice. Please circulate this toolkit so parish councils can explore, share and adapt the ideas to fit the needs of their council and community. Some may align with and support activities councils already are doing, while others might inspire new initiatives among members.

Together, let us celebrate Earth Day not only as a time of reflection but also as a call to action—reaffirming members’ commitment to nurture and protect the gift of creation bestowed upon them.

Your sister in the League,

Glenda Carson

National Chairperson of Social Justice

https://www.cwl.ca/communique-12-social-justice/