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Education and Health Standing Committee Responsibilities

Under this umbrella there are many subheadings, I have provided links and resources for your use

a)     CATHOLIC EDUCATION

- Talk to your trustee and find out about the curriculum in schools

- Sacraments 2018 – The Bishop is implementing a Pilot Program in 5 Parishes for both parents and children for Reconciliation and First Eucharist in order to have a consistent program throughout the Diocese.  Confirmation will be the next pilot program.

St. Mary’s University – Bishop McGrattan says the CWL have honoured our commitment to establish the Chair for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University and raising 1.6 million for this chair.  He feels that our fundraising goal has been accomplished and no more fundraising is required.  If your Council would still want to donate to St. Mary’s University – make sure your donation goes to the CWL Chair for Catholic Studies not the St. Mary’s University General Fund.

He would like to use the university as a bridge to the Permanent Deaconate and Lay Formation and Education through the Pastoral Office.  Allow the university to provide teachers and programs.

RCIA – volunteer to be a sponsor.

b)    LITERACY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION – volunteer at schools and work with children who need help with reading

c)    SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

Bishop Paul O’Byrne Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1993 to commemorate the celebration of Bishop Paul O’Byrne’s 25th Jubilee as Bishop of Calgary.  This year marks the 25th Anniversary since it was established.  The original amount of the scholarship was $200.00 but this was later increased to $500.00.  During the last 25 years this scholarship has been awarded in just 14 years.  This scholarship open to any CWL member and has not been utilized by CWL members.

  1. The applicant must be an active CWL member in good standing
  2. A letter to the scholarship committee shall be submitted on behalf of the applicant and signed by the council president.
  3. This scholarship was set up to help CWL members further her knowledge of the Catholic faith which in turn will enhance her ability to participate in and be of tangible benefit to the League.
  4. Deadline is May 31. A member may apply for funds for a course taken in the year preceding or for a course to be taken in the year following that May 31 deadline.

Think about taking a course at St. Mary’s University, the FCJ Center of Newman College

National Bursary Fund

The bursary fund is used to provide financial assistance to members needing it to pursue studies, courses, seminars, workshops and diploma/degree programs in areas of

  • spiritual growth
  • adult faith formation
  • youth ministry
  • ministry to patients in palliative care
  • ministry to shut-ins
  • parliamentary procedure
  • literacy tutoring

Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation

This new leadership program began its inaugural year in May 2018 and the inaugural class had 13 outstanding Catholic women.  2019 Applications are open – deadline November 9, 2018  https://cwlfcanada.ca/

d)    WELLNESS AND SICKNESS/DISEASE

Mental Health

National Resources:

Palliative Care

2018.03 Legislate Designation of Hospice/Palliative Care, Free from Medical Assistance in Dying – write to the Premier Rachel Notley and Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman

Sample Letter:

 Dear MLA,

I am writing to ask you to support the creation of pro-conscience legislation in our province like Bill 34 - the Medical Assistance in Dying (Protection for Health Professionals & Others) Act, which passed in Manitoba in November, 2017. Such legislation would protect Alberta health care professionals from having to act against their conscience. It would make participation in assisted suicide voluntary and would overrule the policies of regulatory bodies should they ever require doctors, nurses and other health professionals to participate in Medical Assistance in Dying. I agree that no one should be forced to participate, either directly or indirectly, in the process of ending a patient’s life. This includes by making a referral. No one should be discriminated against because of their stand. Please take whatever legislative steps are required to ensure that no one is forced to participate in assisted suicide. Thank you.

https://www.canadiansforconscience.ca

 Euthanasia and Assisted Death

The Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) Policy Convention (August 25) in Halifax overwhelmingly supported a party policy opposing the expansion of euthanasia (MAiD). The policy stated that the CPC:

Opposed the extension of euthanasia and assisted suicide to minors, to people who are not competent and people who live with psychological suffering.

Previous CPC Policy conventions supported conscience rights for doctors, nurses and others, and opposed the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) does not support a political party. We support candidates and elected representatives from all political parties that oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.

 Now that the Conservative Party of Canada has approved these policies, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition will urge them, and others, to act on these policies. 

Alberta Tissue and Donor Registry - https://myhealth.alberta.ca/alberta/Pages/organ-and-tissue-donation-consent-to-donate.aspx

When you renew your driver’s licence think about signing up for organ donation.  The new licenses have an organ donation symbol on them when you register as a donor.  If you signed your Alberta Health Card years ago and think that is enough that database has never been maintained.

e)     ENVIRONMENT

2018.02 Setting a Standard for Products Marketed as Flushable – write to the Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment

The new Theme for 2019-2020 is Caring for Our Common Home.  What can you do around your house and parish to improve recycling and what is sent to the dump

Cultivating and Caring for Creation - http://www.greenspirittv.com – Modelling a response to Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si – 12 programs with lessons plans

Check out this slide presentation and notes from a WUCWO presentation of Laudato Si: https://www.cwl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/813-Laudato-Si-An-Invitation-to-Change-Our-Hearts-2016.pdf

f)     GENETICS

Canadian Bioethics Institute - http://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/links/

 

RESOURCES

Use CWL National, Provincial and Diocesan websites,

League Magazine

Diocesan newsletter

Government of Canada web site for health and education articles

St. Mary’s university web page for updates on current programs.

FCJ Center

Newman College – online programs

School board web pages.

Calgary Diocesan Pastoral Centre – 403-218-5500

Gabriele Kalincak – Life & Family Resource Centre

Sister Cecily – Catholic Missions

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition - http://www.epcc.ca/

Federal Government

- Prime Minister – Justin Trudeau - mailto:

- Minister of Health - Ginette-Petitpas-Taylor – ,

- Minister of Environment – Catherine McKenna -

-  Minister for Seniors Filomena Tassi – - Watch for the mandate for this    new portfolio from the Prime Minister

Provincial Government

- Minister of Education – David Eggen -

- Minister of Health – Sarah Hoffman -

- Minister of Seniors and Housing – Lori Sigurdson -

- Minister of Children’s Services and Status of Women – Danielle Larivee -

 

Presented September 22, 2018 at the Diocesan Fall Workshop by Kathleen Winter

Education and Health Chairperson