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CARDIFF DIOCESAN BRANCH
Cardiff Diocesan Branch
President: Peggy Hoare-Davis
Vice President: Mrs June Burke
Treasurer: Joan Welsh
Secretary: Jean Clarke
Branch Liason: Julia James
Chaplain: Father Richard Simons OSB
Sections at: Briton Ferry; Cardiff; Ledbury; Swansea.
Direct Members: 3 |
CELEBRATION AT CARDIFF ON 27.05.06
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Members assembled at St Peters church in Cardiff with their colleagues from Clifton Branch. |
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It was an unbelievable wet and windy morning, but from the moment we entered St. Peters there was a different dimension entirely. The atmosphere shall I say was indescribable. The church , the decorations, a sense of excitement, everything looked sunny. A different outlook was perceived.
The procession of Section and Branch banners made one proud to be a member of The Catholic Women’s League. Special order of Mass service booklets had been produced.Archbishop Peter Smith of Cardiff concelebrated the mass with Bishop Regan of Wrexham and Bishop Lang of Clifton. Fr. Michael Cronin, chaplain of Cardiff Branch and Fr. Alan Finley chaplain of Clifton Branch assisted.
Archbishop Peter praised the status of women and spoke very highly of Margaret Clitherow our Patron and Margaret Fletcher our Founder. Both of these women were converts and both came into the church with a desire to use their talents.
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Margaret Clitherow, the wife of a York butcher lived in a time when it was an offence to attend mass, but she was so impressed by the faith that she herself became a Catholic. Her home was used as a centre for mass until she too was arrested and died for her faith.
Margaret Fletcher lived in an age when educational methods for women were being improved and fought for more opportunities for women. After much study and reading she too became a Catholic and became active in Parish life.
Archbishop Peter reminded us all that Margaret Fletcher had worked on local and international levels just as members of the League do today and he spoke of the challenges that face the League today. He encouraged the members to reach out to all members in society targeting those who find themselves marginalized.
After Mass everyone moved into a delightful Parish Hall Restaurant Spiro’s where an excellent lunch was partaken.
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Special menu cards were produced for the C.W.L which members took away as a souvenir.Members were greeted on arrival in the Restaurant by the President of Cardiff Province Branch Mrs Peggy Hoare-Davies. Mrs Sheila Jennings, the President of The Catholic Women’s League was the main speaker, highlighting the achievements of the League and the diverse demands in the world today.
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She highlighted past achievements. She urged the membership to be flexible but to be strong in upholding our Catholic beliefs in today’s ever changing world.
After the meal and speeches members circulated, renewing old friendships, poring over photograph albums and display boards featuring the history of The Catholic Women’s League over the past one hundred years. Remarks such as ‘Oh look there’s you. There’s me’! were spun around. Material showing the work Sections had been involved in and the Charities they supported, made impressive reading as members enthusiastically talked of their support of good causes both at home and abroad. It was also seen how they support their Parishes through administration, to Catechisis through church cleaning to flower arranging, readers and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.
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Anne Callus the Convenor of the Diocesan Board of Catholic Women who was one of the guests, enjoyed the day very much. Four members of Holyhead C.W.L travelled down for the weekend and had appreciated their visit. It was suggested Cardiff Sections meet once a year in Wrexham. The husband of Maureen Cooper from Ledbury Section, Don Cooper took the photographs which are available on CD.
Everyone agreed that it had been a truly wonderful day for the members of Cardiff province and Clifton Branches and they are now looking forward to the Brighton Centenary Celebrations in October. |
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