Speaking out on Educational, Religious and Social Concerns

A new Section opens in Arundel and Brighton Branch

Bexhill-on-Sea opened a new Section in September and celebrated with an inaugural Mass on October 3rd in St Martha's Church. 23 ladies of the Parish have joined the CWL and many more have made enquiries.  The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Kieron Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, who was joined by Fr Kevin Gaskin, CWL Chaplain for Arundel and Brighton Branch, as well as Fr. David our Parish Priest and Fr Bruno and Fr Seamus our Assistant Priests.

Margaret Richards, National President visited us and, along with the Bishop, presented new members with their badges and prayer cards. Our Branch President, Sheila Dunbar, Branch Secretary, Brenda Hilliam and Regional Representative, Jill Sims, as well as several Members from other Sections in the Branch, came along for the evening celebration.
A party was held afterwards and Margaret Richards cut the celebration cake.

Congratulations to Hexham & Newcastle Branch as they celebrate their Centenary

What a glorious day 7th May turned out to be as Branch Members gathered at the Cathedral of St Mary in Newcastle for a wonderful celebration. They were joined by Civic Dignitries, the National President and Immediate Past National President and the National Secretary as well as Branch Officers from Middlesbrough and Leeds. It was a particularly joyful celebration as Fr Pat O’Connell, the Branch Chaplain, concelebrated with other Section Chaplains in the beautiful Pugin Cathedral. It was so good to see Fr Pat’s return to health – and what a fitting occasion it turned out to be!

TWO NEW SECTIONS FOR THE LEAGUE

A very big welcome to the new Section in
Westminster Branch

On the bright sunny morning of Saturday 9th April 2011 the new Section of St Gabriel & St Bernard of South Harrow & Northolt was officially opened. The Inaugural Mass was celebrated by Fr Gerard Skinner, parish priest and Westminster branch spiritual advisor, who welcomed us to the Parish Mass. After the homily we gathered on the altar, by the Branch banner and the statue of St Margaret Clitherow our patron, for our Welcoming Service.

aureen Anderson, Regional Representative, welcomed the new members and presented them with their badges and prayer cards. Fr Gerard then gave us all a special blessing. Some of the parishioners joined us for coffee and cake after the Mass. Members from Adeyfield and St Bart's sections were present and along with branch officers joined in the celebrations. Other sections sent their good wishes.

We wish the new section well in their work supporting their parish and the League.

A very big welcome to the new Section in
Ross-on-Wye

Thursday 3rd March was a wonderful celebratory evening as National President, Margaret Richards, and Fr Richard Simons, Parish Priest, gathered with the 18 members of the newly-formed CWL Section of Ross-on-Wye, Cardiff Branch. The evening began with the Inaugural Mass. Fr Richard, in his homily, spoke of the very proud history of the League but at the same time urged all members to look forward as the need for Catholic women to gather together to work for good was as necessary now as it was in 1906.  Margaret and Fr Richard then presented the new members with their membership badge and prayer card.

After Mass and the photo call, Chris Croucher, the Section Chairman, led a short meeting where she thanked everyone for their support and for making this a truly memorable day for the parish which she was proud to share with Cardiff Branch Officers, Joan Welsh (Regional Representative Region 7), neighbouring Section (Ledbury) and Jean Clarke (National Secretary), as well as the National President. She presented Margaret Richards with a posy and thanked her for making the trip up to Ross-on-Wye. With true CWL hospitality and a real sense of excitement refreshments were shared by all before the journey home.

Origins
The C.W.L. was founded in 1906 by Margaret Fletcher. She was the daughter of an Anglican Clergyman but was received into the Catholic Church in 1897. In a period of struggle for better and equal opportunities for women she looked for members who would support the League’s work at local, diocesan, national and international levels.