By Natashya Fernandez
Catholic Women’s League WA (CWL WA) celebrated its 80th Anniversary to remember and maintain focus on the importance of Catholic Women in parishes on Saturday, 20 May at Holy Rosary Church Nedlands with a special Mass and celebration later in the parish hall.
The Mass was celebrated by State Chaplain CWL WA, Father Laurence Murphy SDS and concelebrated with Rector of Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Fr Michael Moore and Fr Gregory Donovan.
Held in honour of Our Lady Help of Christians, whose feast day is 24 May, the festivities paid special homage to the Virgin Mary who answered God’s call and is a constant example to all the women at CWL WA.
Established in 1937 and with a membership of around 260 women, State President CWL WA, Maria Parkinson said that it was such a momentous occasion to celebrate the importance of Catholic Women’s League in parishes and more particularly to highlight the organisation and build membership.
“Today we unite in prayer to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the commencement of CWL WA here in Nedlands where the very first branch was established in WA.
“Many more branches followed, firstly in the parishes of the Perth Archdiocese and a little later in the Bunbury and Geraldton Dioceses.
“We think we are a force to be reckoned with. We women of the Church love our God and our League and endeavour to carry out our aims in a true spirit of Charity, Work and Loyalty. “Welcome to this day of celebration when we remember the example of all those faithful members who have gone before and pray with hope for those members still to know us. We pray especially today that CWL may continue to thrive,” Mrs Parkinson said.
Organiser and coordinator of the festivities, a CWL active member since 2007 and President of Nedlands Branch for almost seven years, Betty Ryan said that she is thrilled to be part of CWL WA and excited to celebrate the 80th Anniversary.
“A significant moment for many of us here today, CWL WA has grown in leaps and bounds and is unique in its support to women and families in the Church, is a National member and a member of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO), the largest women’s organisation in the Catholic Church. We are so privileged to be a part of it.
“We are also very excited to announce this year’s 2017 Catholic Women’s League Scholarship recipient, Amelia Gal, student at Notre Dame University Fremantle, who is a well-deserved beneficiary of the Scholarship,” Mrs Ryan said.
Chaplain for over four years with CWL WA, Fr Murphy said that it was a special privilege to be celebrating Mass and more so to see everyone present.
“What to say today is very important and how to begin it is also very important,” he said.
“On this occasion, 80 years since WA began the CWL here in Nedlands, it has touched the hearts of many people. I know having come in contact with you over the last couple of years, that you do a fantastic job in trying to reach out and to care for women and families in need.
“I know that you put forward your thoughts with leaders about what you believe to be good for human kind. Nobody in your parishes would realise that that’s some of the things that you do.
“That you make representations to the government for the good of people, that your prayer life is centred on praying and looking after people,” Fr Murphy said.
“On this 80th anniversary and the day of Our Lady Help of Christians, we need help and we need to continue to pray to her for her assistance that her son Jesus, his effort of love will be seen and experienced by everyone we meet.
“I hope and pray that you continue, that your efforts will influence others to see what you are doing and respond to that and take up the challenge as we move along.
“Eighty years is a fantastic period of time and that the Catholic Women’s League, however small a group it might be, will continue to prosper in their own intimate relationships and expand out to others, particularly into parishes.
“I pray that the inspiration of Mary who answered God’s call, who said yes, that you too will continue to say yes on a day-to-day basis.
“So be it in our lives and as we go out of here that we continue to be transformed on the road to goodness, wholeness, better love. I hope and pray that each of you will enjoy being together today and going back to your own homes, you will carry the message of love,” he concluded.