National Convention 2026

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Most of us attend Convention to reconnect with fellow Sisters of the League, many of whom we see only once a year, and to be inspired by the speakers and workshops. Convention also gives us an important opportunity to understand the decisions made by the Executive and the direction in which the League is heading. Attending National Convention is no different.

When Kim Walker and I attended the 106^th Annual National Convention in Halifax from August 9 to 12, 2026, we had the privilege of hearing incredible keynote speakers. You can read Kim’s review and summary of all three below, and I encourage you to do so. We also listened to reports, debates, and updates. While those parts may not be as exciting as the speakers, I believe they are equally important.

Correspondence:

We were informed of the correspondence our National Executive has had, mainly with government, on several issues we care deeply about: the call to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, our concern over Budget Recommendations 429 and 430, and our opposition to the removal of “good faith” language in Bill C-9. I found it meaningful to know that our voices are being heard. Although it can be discouraging when letters go unanswered, we also know that no prayer is in vain.

President’s Report:

Our President, Betty Colinari, reported on the first year of her term. In particular, she commented on the transition to the new Director of Administration, Neecole Somersell, and thanked the office staff for their diligence during that transition. We did not hear anything further about when, or if, the transition to the new online membership system will occur. She remains engaged with government visits and plans to continue our advocacy in areas that concern Catholic Christians and society as a whole.

Spiritual Advisor Report:

Our new Spiritual Advisor, Bishop Bergie, shared comments from other spiritual advisors about our role in parishes and in the Church more broadly. He encouraged us to “toot our own horn” more. He knows that our voices make a difference, and he wants us to know it too. He thanked us for being missionaries and bridge builders within our parishes and communities. He also believes that our organization’s grassroots nature is a real benefit and an example of leadership within the parish.

At the opening Mass on August 8, Archbishop Brian Young of Halifax-Yarmouth echoed Bishop Bergie’s comments. He asked all of us in attendance to go home and, on behalf of Bishops across Canada, thank our members for their exemplary work and dedication at the parish level. They know about our efforts, and they are grateful for them.

Secretary/Treasurer Report:

One of the most important reports we receive each year concerns the financial statements. The dues collected at each level are not insignificant, and I know how important it is to be a good steward of the treasury. I believe Alice Noble, our Secretary/Treasurer, shares that commitment. Alice gave a report that was both comprehensive and easy to understand. To summarize:

• The League stayed within budget in 2025 and 2026 YTD
• At December 31, 2025, we were in a positive position of $525,948 when including both a budget surplus and investment income
• $101,172 was gifted to four beneficiary organizations of the national voluntary funds
• Funds are available to councils in the form of bursaries, grants, and the national development fund, and members and councils are encouraged to learn about them and apply

Instructed Votes:

In a sign that the League respects the thoughts and instructions of its members at every level, all Provincial Presidents cast their votes for the 10 Instructed Votes. As you will recall, each parish council voted and instructed its President to vote accordingly at the Diocesan Convention. I then took that instruction, as your Diocesan President, to the Provincial Convention and cast Calgary’s vote. Our Provincial President, Jan Myhre, then took the voting instructions from the five dioceses and voted accordingly last week.

All ten Instructed Votes were adopted. 

Resolutions:

I believe the debate on Resolutions is one of the most fascinating parts of National Convention. The process strictly follows Robert’s Rules to ensure that fair and productive debate occurs. I am always interested to hear why a member speaks in favour of, or against, a resolution. This process may seem antiquated to some, but it gives our leaders credibility and seriousness when we approach government on issues. They know our process is robust and thoughtful, and as a result, our positions are sincerely listened to. One interesting directive from our Parliamentarian was that, after a motion is voted on, regardless of the outcome, it should not be applauded. Applause can have the unintended consequence of discouraging future debate if members feel there are winners and losers.

The following five Resolutions were thoughtfully debated and, while far from unanimous, were all adopted. More information on action plans will be forthcoming.

• 01 Amend Federal Plastic Regulations Tethered to Bottle Caps on Single-use Beverage Containers
• 02 Apply Existing Terrorism Laws When Prosecuting Arson Attacks on Places of Worship
• 03 Excluded Advance Request for Medical Assistance in Dying
• 04 Implementation of the Disability Housing Recommendation of the Canadian Human Rights Commission
• 05 The Federal Government to Implement a National Guaranteed Basic Income Framework

WUCWO:

The CWL is part of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations; by our membership in the CWL, we are automatically members of WUCWO. Honourary Life Member Barb Dowding serves on the WUCWO Board and brought a report on the year’s activities. At the end of her report, she brought a motion to have WUCWO become a temporary (five-year) recipient of the national voluntary fund. There was spirited discussion about the proper process being followed and complete documentation being submitted, but in the end, the motion was adopted.  Councils are encouraged to look over WUCWO’s charter and if it is an area that they would like to contribute to, fill in the forms and the process of the National Voluntary Fund Remittance Forms (513, 513F).

Conclusion:

Overall, attending National Convention reminded me that the League’s work is both relational and serious. We gather as Sisters, we listen, we debate, and we return home better informed about the direction of our organization and the responsibilities we share. I hope this report helps you see not only what was decided, but why being present for these discussions matters.

Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Duncan, Calgary Diocesan President

Reflections on the 106th Annual CWL Convention Speaker 1– Halifax

The 106th Annual CWL Convention in Halifax featured two inspiring speakers. Dr. Cory Labrecque presented “Stay Awake with Me: Dignity, Vulnerability, and Presence in a Broken World.” His presentation challenged us to consider the important role women play in the Church and in our communities. Two quotations from St. Theresa Benedicta stood out: “The world doesn’t need what women have, the world needs what women are” [1] and “The woman’s soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold” [2]. These words remind us that our presence, compassion and willingness to accompany others can be powerful gifts.

Dr. Labrecque encouraged us to consider the meaning of several important words:

Passion. We often associate passion with romance or enthusiasm, but it can also refer to the Passion and suffering of Christ. The word comes from the Latin patior, meaning “to suffer” or “to endure.” Passion calls us to surrender ourselves to God and to say, as Mary did, “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38; see also Exodus 3:5 and Philippians 2:13).

Poverty. Poverty is not simply being without material possessions. A person may have great wealth yet be lonely and in need of friendship, compassion or support. We are called to recognize and serve those in need. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the poor” (Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20).

Vulnerability. To be vulnerable is to be “woundable.” Every person is vulnerable in some way. Recognizing this should influence how we speak to others. Our words can either build someone up or tear them down. As CWL members, we are called to use words that affirm the dignity and worth of each person.

Dignity. The Church understands human dignity as inherent in every person. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability or circumstance, every human being matters. History reminds us that society’s understanding of who possesses dignity can change. In Canada, women were not legally recognized as “persons” until 1929.  Yet true human dignity does not depend on social status, ability or function. As Dr. Labrecque emphasized, “You matter.”

Presence. The Church has a long tradition of being a people of presence, particularly with those who are sick, suffering or dying. The Latin palliare, meaning “to cover,” and is the root associated with palliative. Like swaddling a baby in a blanket or covering the elderly in a blanket, compassionate presence can provide comfort, protection and healing.

Loneliness is a growing concern in our society. Dr. Labrecque challenged us to recognize that people need human connection, not simply technological connection. Current Canadian MAID reporting shows that loss of dignity was identified in 64.9% of MAID cases in one reporting category, while isolation or loneliness was reported in 21.1% [5]. These statistics remind us of the importance of accompaniment, although they should not be interpreted as meaning that loneliness alone determines a person’s decision to seek MAID.

By walking alongside someone, we are invited into that person’s story. Empathy allows us to understand another’s experience; compassion calls us to suffer with and remain present to the person. Like the Good Samaritan, we are called not merely to notice suffering but to respond and go beyond. We can become people who “hold,” “wrap” and “cover” others through our presence and care.

The message for us as CWL members is clear: our ministry of presence matters. In a world experiencing loneliness, suffering and uncertainty, we can offer friendship, dignity, compassion and hope. We are called to stay awake, to notice those who are hurting, and to walk with them.

Reflections on the 106th Annual CWL Convention Speaker 2– Halifax

Our second speaker was Giancarlo Brotto from Pave Edu, who spoke on Ignited to Lead: Women of Faith Stepping Boldly into the Age of AI. His presentation emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay and is advancing rapidly around the world. As Catholic women, we must ensure that AI is used with wisdom, responsibility, and faith, recognizing its connection to social justice and the common good.

Brotto encouraged us to remain open to where our passions may lead us and to understand how AI is shaping our world. He described three phases of AI:

• Ignite – becoming aware of AI;
• Implement – learning how to apply it in everyday life; and
• Infuse – understanding how AI continues to evolve within our society.

He also explained three types of AI.

1. Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) performs specific tasks, such as Google Maps, and is already widely used.
2. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is capable of learning and performing broad level intellectual tasks (not in current use).
3. Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) would surpass all human across all intellectual capabilities (not developed). 

Countries and companies are investing heavily into AGI and ASI research and development

AI is already changing the workplace. A team is more effective than an individual working without AI, AI can outperform an individual on many tasks, but a team working with AI is the most effective combination. This is why countries and companies are competing to develop AI capabilities. Canada currently lags behind other countries in AI use, research, and training, which could have significant economic consequences.

Brotto reminded us that safety protocols often lag behind technological innovation. He used the automobile as an example: cars became widely used long before safety regulations such as seatbelt laws were fully implemented. We are now at a similar point with AI. This is the time for us to advocate for AI safety and to teach people to use AI wisely and responsibly.

Science and technology are gifts from God with tremendous potential to benefit humanity. However, we must not be passive consumers of technology; we must become active and responsible creators. As Catholics, we should ask ourselves: “Is this going to strengthen or tarnish the world around me?” We need to cultivate a culture of encounter by asking when it is appropriate to use AI and when human connection and responsibility must come first.

We were encouraged to stay focused, adaptable, safe, critical, and guided by our moral compass. AI should be used as a learning tool, not as a way to escape responsibility. We must protect our privacy, be careful about what information we share, use appropriate privacy settings, and recognize that AI can appear human while remaining only a machine. We should also be mindful of how much time we spend using AI and carefully evaluate the information it provides.

Young people are increasingly using AI for social interaction (57%), making it especially important that we encourage genuine human-to-human connection. As members of the CWL, we are called to be missionaries and shepherds, helping others understand both the opportunities and risks of AI.

The CWL has an important role to play in guiding the safe, wise, and ethical use of AI in our homes, schools, churches, workplaces, and government. We must remain adaptable and continue learning what skills and values are essential in an AI-enabled world.

For further reflection, Brotto recommended the podcast episode When the “Person” Abusing Your Child is a Chatbot: The Tragic Story of Sewell Setzer, which highlights the serious risks of AI chatbots and the need for greater awareness, protection, and accountability.

Pilgrims of Hope Pilgrimage

Most Reverend Alan Campeau, Bishop of Thunder Bay, Ontario, spoke to us about his spontaneous pilgrimage to Rome with our CWL sisters. He was asked to serve as the spiritual advisor at 10 a.m. and was at the airport by 4 a.m. the following morning!

A pilgrimage is different from a tour, and you need to enter the experience knowing it will be different. Before beginning a pilgrimage, it is important to consider where your head and heart are. A pilgrimage is a journey toward something deeper—a new meaning or purpose in your personal life. The hope is that the pilgrimage will allow you to bring something home that will change your life.

Bishop Campeau was particularly moved by the number of travellers who chose to add the Sacrament of Reconciliation to their journey, making it a truly holy experience. He noted that sometimes the priest leading a pilgrimage can become so caught up in the work that it is difficult to fully enjoy the experience. He found it important to take pauses and truly appreciate the journey.

He recommends that all pilgrims take quiet, reflective moments along the way; to pray the Rosary slowly and deliberately in a peaceful, quiet place.

Bishop Campeau also encouraged us to invite our foreign priests into our lives. These priests leave behind their families, cultures, and comfort zones to come to Canada and care for Canadian Catholics. He compared their sacrifice to that of St. Clare, who gave up great wealth to dedicate her life to God and to writing the rule for women entering monastic life.

His overall message was to start saving your nickels now so you can say YES when a pilgrimage opportunity presents itself.