The Catholic Women’s League of Western Australia (CWLWA) has been inspiring women to become more spiritually and practically active, within the Church and in broader society, for almost 80 years.
The WA body of the nationwide organisation came to life in 1937 when leading Catholic women gathered together under the leadership of Archbishop Redmond Prendiville and, inspired by the success of the South Australian CWL, which had been founded in 1914, formed a dedicated committee which has now expanded to 15 branches spread across the state.
Under the umbrella of the state body, each of the 15 branches generally undertake projects on a local level, but will also contribute their time and resources into state and even international projects when the occasion arises.
“It is really a case of hearing of a need and knowing that this need is not being met from another source,” according to State President, Maria Parkinson.
“We then try to utilise the skills of our 260 members to fulfil this unmet need.”
Ms Parkinson said that projects were generally considered from suggestions provided by members who are always on the lookout for new ways to support existing works.
“When a member hears of a cause, we may invite someone to come in and speak about it and we will then see how we can assist,” she said.
Wheelchairs for Kid – a Perth organisation building wheelchairs for disabled children overseas; RUAH – a drop-in centre for those who are homeless; the Redemptoris Mater Seminary Perth and women at Bandyup Prison have all been recent recipients of CWLWA’s support in the past.
“We are currently contributing to organisations such as Linda’s House of Hope, a group assisting women in escaping from prostitution, as well as Pregnancy Assistance, which provides support for women dealing with unplanned pregnancies,” Ms Parkinson shared.
“Most of our projects concern social justice issues.”
Although the CWLWA was initially based in metropolitan parishes in its early years, individuals from rural areas were soon attracted to the venture and branches were established in Kalgoorlie, Boulder and Albany throughout the 1940s.
These were followed by branches in Bunbury in the 1960s and later in Geraldton in 1997.
While branches are parish-based and projects undertaken generally support local initiatives, there are also causes which are given state-wide support.
“Linda’s House of Hope is an ongoing state project which has struck a chord with members all across WA,” Ms Parkinson said.
“Branches from across the state have been contributing to this cause for a number of years, which has allowed them to provide assistance, such as vouchers for those being supported, as well as contributing to the upgrade of the organisation’s bathroom.”
There have also been projects that have touched lives overseas, Ms Parkinson shared, such as the recent assistance of the family of a priest in the Philippines whose house needed rebuilding after devastating floods.
CWL, whether at a parish or national level, is driven by the organisation’s mission to build a culture of life and advocation for human rights, with a particular focus on women and children. While each branch has the flexibility to choose the projects it undertakes, all of them seek to promote dignity, integrity and freedom and to promote the role of lay women in the mission of the Church.
The WA state body, as with its contemporaries in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, remains faithful to the guidance of Catholic teaching but also fosters inter-faith dialogue, working alongside other organisations in the wider Christian body, as well as within secular society.
“Catholic spirituality is an essential part of our regular meetings but we also enjoy an ecumenical spirituality by being involved in two or three ecumenical services a year,” Ms Parkinson said.
“There can be up to six different churches involved to ensure these occasions will continue.”
Recruitment of members generally occurs through word of mouth and information sessions, according to Ms Parkinson, and, although current numbers remain stable, she is concerned that branches in some smaller country towns have had to close down due to a lack of available women to call upon.
She said that efforts are now being made to search for alternative ways, such as daytime meetings, to cater for the increasing number of younger women who are working.
Ms Parkinson pointed out that the vision of all CWA branches is to create a more just society through prayer and action.
She hoped that more women, no matter what age, would be inspired to join this mission of service to Christ.
For more information, go to www.cwla.org.au.