A Word From Our State Chaplain Dear CWL Friends, “How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God! May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst!” 1 So wrote Pope Francis in April when he formally announced the next Holy Year, the “Year of Mercy” which begins on 8 December 2015. We are invited to rediscover the mercy which is at the heart of our Christian faith, the divine mercy of God. Mercy is God’s constant response to the tragedy of sin: it is God’s medicine for what ails us. It is a constant call to conversion, to turn towards life and away from death. But during the Year of Mercy we are not only called to be mindful of God’s mercy towards ourselves: we are to learn what mercy is by being merciful like the Father. So that “mercy” doesn’t just become an empty platitude, we need to give it shape in our lives. How does doing mercy look in practice? I think we should look at what the Church calls the “Spiritual Works of Mercy”, by which we help people in their spiritual and emotional needs and the “Corporal Works of Mercy”, by which we help people in their physical and material needs. Are not these exactly the sorts of things that the people of the Catholic Women’s League should be doing?: The Corporal Works of Mercy feed the hungry give drink to the thirsty clothe the naked shelter the homeless visit the sick visit the imprisoned bury the dead The Spiritual Works of Mercy counsel the doubtful instruct the ignorant admonish sinners comfort the afflicted forgive offenses bear wrongs patiently pray for the living and the dead The Year of Mercy is a wonderful opportunity to receive mercy from the Father, and to be merciful ourselves. Mercy is how love responds to brokenness. Fr Don Richardson State Chaplain 1 Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus (Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Rome 11th April 2015). FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK As I pen this message the Higher School Certificate examinations have started and students from schools within NSW will enter the examination room filled with anxiety. There will be an air of anticipation. Expectation will also play its part as the hopes and dreams of so many rests on performing well in these final school exams. It is also a journey that parents and grandparents travel as words of encouragement and prayers are said for dreams to be realised. Having been through four HSC’s I can attest to the stress, and relief as one after another an exam subject is completed. The expectation then mounts as notification of results draws near, then the sigh of relief that it is all over and a new phase of life is about to open which will bring new challenges. We all have expectations, sometimes realistic and sometimes unrealistic! We can be hurt that a person has not reached our own expectations, but we are all only human and have many failings. The important thing is to believe that in trying to achieve the best outcome we have fulfilled all expectations. This can be said of all the members of Catholic Women’s League New South Wales who continue to hold on to the important elements of the organisation as change is taking place. The expectation that everything can continue as it always has may not always be possible. New directions may have to be approached. Women of CWL are not unused to change; it just gets a little harder as we get older! Needless to say we only have to look to Our Blessed Mother Mary for inspiration. Quoting from Benedict XV1 and his address on the Fourth Sunday in Advent 2012 in Saint Peter’s Square ‘the Gospel speaks of Mary’s visit to her kinswoman Elizabeth. This event is not merely a courteous gesture but portrays with great simplicity the encounter of the Old Testament with the New. Indeed two women, both of them pregnant, embody expectation and The Expected One.’ Mary is now in the state of expectation. Her life would never be the same, yet she accepted this and placed her faith and trust in God. As we as members of Catholic Women’s League discuss future directions and change we must place our trust in God to steer our course. At the October State Council Meeting Diocesan delegates will have the opportunity to share their insights into future planning. A discussion topic “Way Forward” will be presented offering some direction for the future. The National Conference held recently was a great success and I have extended congratulations to National President Carolyn Metcalfe and the National Executive on presenting a most informative and enjoyable programme of guest speakers. Once again it was an opportunity to gather and reconnect with friends and enjoy each other’s company. With the subject of domestic violence and violence against women a key discussion point, it is pleasing that further action and resources are being directed by the government to assist women escape violent circumstances. I sincerely thank the members of Lismore and Armidale dioceses for the trading table items. As always the handmade goods are snapped up! The support from all dioceses in support of the raffle is also appreciated. As the year draws to a close, we once again reflect on those who are no longer with us. We celebrate their presence in our lives and pray for their eternal rest. The Hon Pru Goward MP, NSW Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Medical Research, Assistant Minister for Health, Minister for Women, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault speaking at the National Conference. Also illness has taken its toll on many and I know prayers are offered for all who are in need. I am very appreciative of the prayers, care and concern shown to me this year. I wish you all a joyous Christmas and a happy New Year God’s Blessings Moya Potts President Catholic Women’s League Australia – New South Wales Inc ††††††††††††† ARMIDALE NEWS Five members from the Diocese attended the National Conference in Parramatta in September where our Armidale and Lismore Diocese organised the Trading Table. A wonderful array of gifts was available for sale and nearly $4000.00 was raised. The speakers at the Conference were very interesting. A great experience for those who attended. Our Annual Diocesan Conference will be held on 24-25 October and preparations are well in hand. Gunnedah branch will celebrate their 40th year of Catholic Women’s League at the Conference Mass and Dinner with Sr. Helen Baguley the dinner guest speaker. In September 50 ladies from local churches attended an Inter Church Morning tea held by Gunnedah branch. Deirdre Andren – Diocesan President Armidale CWL has continued with prayer and praise to The Lord. We have been holding exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on first Fridays continuing throughout the day concluding with Benediction. The Inter Church celebrations are continuing most successfully, with Hymn Fest this year being hosted by the Baptist Church congregation. We were very proud of the items by our Saint Mary and Joseph Cathedral Choir. A valued speaker at one of our monthly meetings was Sally Hendry who works with dementia care. Sally spoke of preventative care and how to support those affected by the condition. It is a subject we need to understand more about. Maureen Armatage and Jenny Pigram are the CWL representatives supporting CWC with the Walking With Love programme. Moyna Grant - Communications Guest speaker on dementia, Sally Hendry, and Armidale President, Robyn Judge. Tamworth Branch had three members attend the recent successful National Conference of CWLA at Parramatta. We were inspired with the liturgies and the guest speakers, and learnt a lot from our interstate members. Madeleine Hayes – Tamworth President Moyna Grant Communications Officer Armidale BATHURST BULLETIN Once again the Bathurst Diocesan Conference was held in Lithgow in March with attendees present from Parramatta, Broken Bay, Sydney and Wollongong Dioceses as well as members from Lithgow, Oberon and Bathurst. We were thrilled to welcome National President Carolyn, National Treasurer Pauline as well as State Vice President Sue Freestone. Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael McKenna and Father Mark McGuigan in St. Patrick's Church before travelling to Fatima Hall for the Conference and AGM. Guest speakers were Professor Gavin Frost from Notre Dame University (based in Lithgow) and Sr. Virginia Burke. Many of our visitors spent Saturday night as guests of the Lithgow ladies and enjoyed a social evening meal at the local Workmen’s Club. Following the conference members from the Diocese were invited to visit Notre Dame by Professor Frost and Lithgow ladies were given a tour of the facilities available for the trainee doctors who have so far opted for country appointments at the completion of their studies. To our surprise we were treated to afternoon tea because we were such special visitors. Members of Bathurst Diocese visiting Notre Dame University Members of the Bathurst Diocesan Executive visited Oberon Branch for their April meeting which was held at Nancy Dennis's farm with the usual campfire, Aussie pies for lunch and bingo in the garage! A great day out......thank you Oberon. In May about twenty ladies converged on Bathurst for a Spiritual Day with Sr.Maureen Schiemer facilitating the day and highlighting women of the Gospels.