Members - Cardiff

Cardiff DIOCESAN BRANCH – Formed 1913

President: Mrs Peggy Hoare-Davis
Vice President: Mrs Julia James
Treasurer: Mrs June Burke
Secretary: Mrs Isabel Fox
Liason: Mrs Julia James
Chaplain: Father Richard Simons OSB
Sections at: Briton Ferry; Cardiff; Ledbury; Swansea

27th  FEBRUARY was a memorable night for CWL member Peggy Hoare Davies who is Cardiff and Menevia Province Branch President. Most Catholics are only familiar with the Bene Merenti Medal but Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is to honour a person who has done complementary work in

the outreaches of their Parish. Mass was celebrated at Peggy’s Parish church of Our Lady of Assumption, Briton Ferry, by Bishop Mark Jabale OSB of Menevia, and concelebrated with a total of nine priests.

Members of Peggy’s family and her husband Jack, who also has the honour of Papal Knight, were much in evidence as altar servers and readers. Bishop Mark spoke highly of Peggy and her achievements, presenting her at the end of the Mass with her Medal and framed Certificate, at which the whole congregation stood up and applauded Peggy.

Clifton Branch which has close ties with Cardiff Branch was represented by Kate Doyle Regional officer, and also present were June Burke from WUCWO, and Jean Clarke, Cardiff Branch Secretary and National Secretary. There followed a magnificent buffet in the church hall where Peggy and her husband met up with family, friends and old colleagues. Peggy’s achievements are almost too numerous to recall. The award was granted for many years of dedicated work to the Church and the community. For 22 years she has been a loyal friend and housekeeper to Fr Sean Clancy, first at Briton Ferry and now at Our Lady Star of The Sea at Mumbles, Swansea. Peggy was a foundation  overnor at St Joseph’s Primary School, Neath for 12 years. Peggy is a founder member of Briton Ferry Section of which she has been a member for 33 years. For twenty years she was CWL Summer Camps Organiser providing Catechetical holidays for children from the Cardiff and Menevia Dioceses.

She is a Eucharistic Minister, Reader, a member of CYTUN (churches together in Wales) a  Catechist for First Communion and is a member of the local hospital pastoral team.

She has also been a member of the Diocesan Council. She is the main organiser for charity events and fundraising in the church in Briton Ferry.

The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice [for The Church and Pontiff] was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 as an honour of distinction. It is presented to clergy and lay persons who have given distinguished service to the Catholic Church.

Wedding Bells in Ledbury

Saturday October 11th saw CWL Ledbury Section celebrate the wedding of one of their members. Brenda Wallace married Stanley Howard at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity and here you can see the happy couple with some of the members from the Section. Everyone sends Brenda and Stanley their very best wishes and lots of love as they begin their married life together.

CELEBRATION AT CARDIFF ON 27.05.06

Members assembled at St Peters church in Cardiff with their colleagues from Clifton Branch.

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.


Cardiff St.Peters



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.

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.


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. 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.



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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