The League and its members have always provided service to members in their time of need, to their parish, their local community, the country and the world. Through this standing committee, peaceful, just and prosperous communities will be realized.
~ National Manual of Policy and Procedure: Positions and Responsibilities Page 76
Councils are encouraged to:
- promote activities in service to members, the parish and the community
- advocate for and support services that include but are not limited to homelessness, human trafficking, poverty, bullying and racism
- educate members about charitable needs, especially mission assistance at home and abroad
- provide assistance for diocesan receptions, for example Ordination or Chrism Mass, etc. when requested by the Catholic Pastoral Centre.
~ Calgary Diocesan Policies and Procedures
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Service - Nat'l Handbook for Chairpersons 2025
“Just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28).
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada and its members provide service to those in need, their parish, their local community, the country and the world. The League Prayer includes the words, “… teach us to share with others at home and abroad…” The League is known and valued for this service. Individuals and councils address the corporal works of mercy.
According to Part XIII of Constitution & Bylaws, chairpersons of service encourage all levels to
- promote activities in service to members, the parish and the community
- advocate for and support services for the marginalized and vulnerable in society
- educate members about charitable needs, especially mission assistance at home and abroad
Chapter Two of the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines works of mercy as charitable actions to help our neighbour with spiritual and physical needs. Spiritual works of mercy include instructing, advising, consoling and comforting; corporal works involve feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned and burying the dead.
Chairpersons of service, guided by the Catholic works of corporal mercy, encourage, facilitate and oversee activities that address individual and societal needs within their councils, parishes, communities and provinces, nationally and internationally. Efforts align with the church’s mission of love and service. They may include ministering actions such as providing food and clothing, support for literacy and education programs, shelter support, care and visits for the sick and dying, the elderly, prison ministry and bereavement support. Chairpersons of service are encouraged to refer to the Toolkit for Service (#637) available to members logged into the national website under “Resources”.
Some ways in which a chairperson of service may help members enhance their service to others through the League:
- Educate members about the corporal works of mercy, especially mission assistance at home and abroad.
- Encourage, facilitate and administer bursaries and scholarships that assist members in enhancing their understanding of their faith and pursuing higher education.
- Encourage and facilitate hosting events to support parishes (communion breakfasts, clergy appreciation lunches, senior evenings or social groups, funeral receptions).
- Encourage volunteer and financial support for organizations in the community designed to support the marginalized and vulnerable in society (serving at food banks or soup kitchens, collecting winter clothing for shelters, visiting shut-ins and seniors in nursing homes, etc.).
- Support national and international service initiatives by providing education on and facilitating sponsorship opportunities with organizations such as Chalice, Coady Institute, Samaritan’s Purse and Save a Family Plan.
- Collaborate with the chairpersons of faith and social justice standing committees on initiatives related to organizations and topics with broader mandates, such as Development and Peace—Caritas Canada and palliative care. The three chairpersons may lead individual initiatives or work together to create joint resources and coordinated actions, such as toolkits, petitions and awareness campaigns.
- Educate members about charitable needs in local, national and international communities through guest speakers.
- Encourage fundraisers for council initiatives.
- Study and implement the action plans of related adopted resolutions and position papers.
- Consider initiating a resolution relating to the service standing committee (see Resolutions Handbook).
~ National Handbook for Chairpersons of Faith, Service and Social Justice: Service Standing Committee pp 7-9
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Adopt-A-Seminarian
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.” John 15:16
Our Calgary Diocese is blessed to have 11 young men who have said “yes” in answering their call from our Lord. Service Chair Melanie Spagrud had an opportunity to meet many of our Seminarians at the 2026 Vocations rally held at St.Michael Catholic Community on Sunday, May 31st, 2026.
By participating in the program, you can offer support and encouragement to your seminarian as he prepares for priesthood in the following ways:
PRAY for him
- Offer a special prayer in a mass
- Offer personal prayer intentions (especially about his vocation)
INSPIRE him
- Send greeting cards (i.e. every day and special occasions)
- Write letters with inspiring and encouraging words
GIVE him monetary gifts (i.e. gift cards) or whatever you feel will make your seminarian inspired and happy.
INVITE him to any functions or events you have, or to visit your parish and council.
For more information on how to Adopt-A-Seminarian, please contact Melanie at .
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Partners for Life - Canadian Blood Services
As members continue living the national theme, Ignite Your Passion, Empower His Mission, we invite councils across Canada to take part in a meaningful and life-giving service opportunity by joining the League’s ‘Partners for Life’ blood donation team through Canadian Blood Services. Every blood donation can help save up to three lives. Patients receiving cancer treatments, emergency care, surgeries and other medical procedures rely on donors every day. This simple act of blood donation truly reflects Christ’s call to care for one another. See the above poster with details on how to join the team. Download the poster.
Ignite Your Passion — Give the Gift of Life
Empower His Mission — Become a Blood Donor Today
We encourage councils to promote the attached poster in parish halls, newsletters, meetings and on social media. We also challenge every council throughout the diocese to encourage at least one member to join the League’s ‘Partners for Life’ blood donation team this year. Imagine the impact we could make if every council helped bring in just one new donor!
Together, we can make a real difference—one donation at a time.
https://www.cwl.ca/communique-03-service-2/
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Feed The Hungry
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
On July 19, 2026, CWL Diocesan President Theresa Duncan and Service Chair Melanie Spagrud joined 47 members of St. Mary’s Cathedral CWL and their families to prepare and serve a four-course meal for more than 423 guests as part of Calgary’s Feed the Hungry program. Guests were treated to a family-style, sit-down lunch and live entertainment.
To learn more about the Feed the Hungry program and ways to support Calgarians experiencing poverty and marginalization, please visit https://www.catholicyyc.ca/feedthehungry.html
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St. Mary’s University BreakFEST
The Calgary Diocesan CWL Council was pleased to participate as a vendor at St. Mary's University's annual Stampede BreakFEST. The BreakFEST featured a variety of community vendors and ministries while attendees enjoyed a traditional Stampede breakfast, live music, and dancing. This was a positive outreach opportunity and enabled the Calgary Diocesan Council to increase awareness of the CWL, connect with current and prospective members, promote key initiatives, and support fundraising efforts.
In addition to the StMU CWL Bursary and BreakFEST, our Diocesan Council is actively exploring other ways in which we can partner with and support St. Mary’s University and its students. Stay tuned for more initiatives as they unfold.
