President's Faith Message
The Calgary Diocese has begun its Renewal, “You are Called. You Matter. You Belong.” It asks us to rediscover our baptismal call and know Christ is continually calling us to renew. We can do this by inviting others to know Christ.
It is a time to pray and reach out to our family and friends, those who share our Catholic faith and those who have fallen away. I received a book entitled, “Way of the Cross, for Loved Ones who have left the Faith” by Jeffrey Kirby, STD.
Many of us have experienced the sorrow of having a loved one leave our faith and abandon its practice. At each Station there is a prayer for your loved one followed by a prayer for you to ask for healing and for strength to be a positive witness of Christ.
During Lent, we reflect on the times we have judged, spoken harshly or been indifferent to a family member or friend. We can feel anger or guilt that we have not been able to help them through their challenges, sometimes our frustration leads us to close our hearts to those who are suffering.
We pray for those who have fallen away to trust Jesus and know His love as we do. We ask Him to bring our loved ones back to Him and His church.
Each Station reminds us of the many who mocked Jesus and how often we fail Him. At the eighth station, Jesus comforts a group of Holy Women of Jerusalem. We may contemplate how we as women are similar. Do we acknowledge Him and share in the bitterness of His passion?
Do we show loving kindness and empathy to others? Do we mourn over our children?
My prayer for our League is that the Lord helps us to have compassion, empathy, kindness, and welcome those who are away from Him. To take time daily to listen to Him and each other.
We are blessed to be sisters, to be able to support one another, and pray together for our loved ones. Please, take time to participate in the Calgary Diocesan Renewal by inviting others to know Christ and our Catholic faith.
Let us rejoice on Easter in the Resurrection of Jesus!
Renee Spohn
President, Calgary Diocesan CWL Council
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?
And I said, “Here I am Lord, send me!” Isaiah 6:8