How did Christianity prosper when it was powerless, ridiculed, and persecuted? Early Church historian Henry Chadwick attributes Christianity’s quick spread to women because of Christianity’s belief in the equality of women and men before God. True, in the early years of the first millennium Christian women were still constrained to the social roles of homemaker and wife, but Christianity elevated the status of women through its doctrine that all are created in God’s image and redeemed by Christ, meaning all must treated with respect and dignity.
The long-standing importance of women evangelists in the Church was visible in Medicine Hat during the 100-year anniversary celebration of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of St. Patrick’s Parish on Saturday, April 27th, 2024. A century after the chapter’s founding, Bishop McGrattan called CWL a gift to the Church and the community because of CWL’s constant witness, faith, and service. CWL remains steadfastly committed to social justice by promoting life from conception to its natural end. As current St.Patrick’s CWL President Anne Helfrich proudly proclaimed, “since 1924 the CWL chapter of Medicine Hat has helped women grow in faith by being the hands of Jesus.”
Michelle Bien, a CWL member who joined two years ago told me, “CWL is for me. CWL fills a niche that nothing else does; it filled a gap in my life I didn’t even know was missing.” This succinctly expresses the heart of the diocesan renewal’s promise of You are called; You matter; You belong.
St.Patrick’s CWL chapter creates a vibrant and radiant parish life by actively caring for the parish and the greater community of Medicine Hat by fundraising for charities like the Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, and the Mustard Seed, giving away clothing to those who need it, teaching children how to pray the rosary, and providing scholarships to students of Catholic schools.
Bishop McGrattan’s homily at the celebratory Mass and his speech to over 100 CWL members and guests at the dinner following, discussed how lay movements witness daily to the Church’s call to charity by, “Taking out of the storehouse what is good and bringing it forth.” Bishop McGrattan concluded by issuing a challenge to grow vocations throughout the diocese by committing to 40 hours of Eucharistic adoration because Eucharistic adoration will be the most efficacious approach to diocesan renewal.
As I listened to the legacy of this vibrant CWL chapter and Bishop McGrattan’s message for renewal, I was reminded of another woman who sparked a Catholic renewal – St. Juliana of Mont Carillon – a Flemish nun instrumental in establishing the Feast of Corpus Christi in the thirteenth century when many people did not have access to, or understand, the Eucharist. Prophets like St. Juliana appear in periods of crisis when the patterns of life have been disrupted or destroyed. Religious leaders and laypeople at the time recognized and admired the religious devotion of St. Juliana and her sisters who channeled their energy into Eucharistic adoration.
The Feast of Corpus Christi quickly became one of the most important and popular feasts of the Church because of its focus on the central mystery of the faith, and because it expressed pride in community life and, of course, simply because it was fun, which was fully on display when members of the CWL enacted a spirited and laughter-filled “fashion show.” While popular music of the past decades played, CWL members donned period clothing and joyfully paid tribute to women of the past 100 years, one decade at a time. President Helfrich, who revived the chapter after the pandemic at Fr. Roque’s request, gave the audience a humorous history lesson and noted major moments in Church history over the past 100 years. Worship, laughter, and frivolity merged into a joyous whole, showing how to bring the love of Christ into community life.
If the Church’s past is any predictor of its future, women (such as the century of women from the CWL chapter of St. Patrick’s in Medicine Hat) will play a leading role in the Church’s renewal. They will lead the renewal through service to their community, Eucharistic devotion, and they will have fun doing so!
“CWL is a great place to live the Catholic faith,” President Helfrich said. “CWL has supported me and what I stand for, filled my life with friendships, and gave me opportunities to help people.”
Congratulations to all the members of St. Patrick’s CWL, especially the organizing committee. May God continue to bless the next generation of the Catholic Women’s League in Medicine Hat!
Source: Written by Jason Openo on behalf of St. Patrick's Parish, Medicine Hat for Faithfully. Photos courtesy of Jason Openo.