[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5739″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vcex_spacing][vc_text_separator title=”Contact Information” title_align=”separator_align_left”][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][vcex_bullets]
- President: Yvette DesPres
- phone: (250) 425-2734
[/vcex_bullets][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Catholic Womens League” title_align=”separator_align_left” align=”align_left”][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][vc_column_text]St Michael’s CWL was formed and affiliated with the Catholic Women’s League of Canada on May 31, 1938. It is believed however that the foundation for this council was set in 1921 by the ladies of the Altar Society, especially by Mrs. Pat Terrion, Miss Lacy and Mrs. Theresa Doratty.
Our ladies have always been known for our fundraising and support of our Parish. In the beginning days we were known for our raffles, bazaars, bake sales, whist drives, bingos and teas. During a Strawberry Tea there were members delivering to homes, post office, stores etc., there were in fact more deliveries than sit down guests.
Throughout the years we have donated and given our service to charities and various communities. Some of which were The Lethbridge Herald Cup of Milk Fund, food hampers, March of Dimes, C.N.I.B, Mobile Chest X-Ray, Seminary Fund and many more. Today we give to Rachel’s Vineyard, Grief to Grace, Hospice, Bishop’s Fund for Life, to name a few.
The first bake sales were held at Kiki’s store, Michel; Svec’s Butcher Shop later as Fergotti’s also at Yate’s Store and would raise about $30.00 including the cake raffle today we would raise about $700.00 from a bake sale alone which we have at the Greenwood Mall.
We have always supported our first communion and conformation candidates of our parish with gifts and acknowledgement.
In past years the CWL at St. Michael’s parish was very well known for our catering. We were told no one did as good a job as we had done. Some of the banquets we did were, the High School Graduation dinner, Rod and Gun Club, weddings, Children’s Christmas party. Today we are known for our funeral luncheons, but due to the age of our ladies we have gone from our signature salmon, egg and ham sandwiches to meat trays and buns, fruit and vegie trays, cheese and pickles and store bought desserts.
Some of our charter members were Mrs. Pat Terrian from 1921 to time of her death was a cornerstone of the parish. She taught Catechism, was Choir Leader and many girls of the parish learned to do needlework from her.
Mrs. Theresa Doratty was also Altar Society member. She served as Spiritual Convenor for years. She always remembered to arrange a Mass for April 26th, the Feast of Our Lady of Good Council, the CWL’s Patron Saint.
Mrs. Ella Galla was our council’s first secretary.
Mrs. Annie Pes, Mrs. Mary Krall, Mrs. Rosie Goodwin (Josay), Mrs. Margaret Siep, Mrs. Mary Oley, and our last charter member was Mary Kowell. In total there were 25 hardworking dedicated charter members.
To date we have 43 members and have about 8-15 that attend regular meetings. We have many ladies that have been serving our CWL for more than 25 years some 40 and even 65 plus years and our oldest living member Emma Chala who turned 100 in October. We were honored to help with her Birthday Party which was held in our church hall.
We have had members serve on the National, Provincial and Diocesan Executive. Geri Oliver was on the National Executive as Legislation Convener and on the Provincial and Rosa Rocca, Christina Scherer and Yvette Despres have been on Diocesan. To be able to sit on these committees you had to have been a Parish Council President and to be on Provincial you had to be a Diocesan President. We have a wonderful group of ladies that continue to serve, God, Our country with the help of our patroness Our Lady of Good Council[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Past Presidents of St. Michael’s CWL” title_align=”separator_align_left” align=”align_left”][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]1938-1939 Mrs. J.V. Young
1941-1942 Mrs. John Josey
1943-1944 Mrs. W. Mckay
1945-1946 Mrs. A. Kubinac
1946-1948 Mrs. J. Halko
1946-1947 Mrs. B. Freney ( Natal Juniors)
1948-1950 Mrs. G. Sofko (Natal Junior)
1951-1952 Mrs. Dora Ungaro
1953-1954 Mrs. Mary Kowall
1955-1956 Mrs. Mary Chala
1956-1957 Mrs. Sophie Krall
1957-1958 Mrs. Mary Putich
1958-1959 Mrs. Grace Gill
1960-1962 Mrs. Molly Latka
1962-1963 Mrs. Carol Letasy
1963-1964 Mrs. Dora Ungaro
1969-1972 Mrs. Mamie Hrdlicka
1972-1973 Mrs. Mary Kowall
1973-1974 Mrs. Sophie Krall
1974-1976 Mrs. Vi House
1976-1978 Mrs. Gerry Oliver[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
1978-1980 Mrs. Jane Gauthier
1982-1984 Mrs. Marilyn Mcclinchey
1984-1986 Mrs. Gerry Oliver
1986-1988 Mrs. Gerry Oliver
1988-1990 Mrs. Lucienne Hynes
1990-1992 Mrs. Rosa Rocca
1992-1994 Mrs. Judy Zimmel
1994-1996 Mrs. Marilyn Mcclinchy
1996-1998 Mrs. Jane Gauthier
1998-2000 Mrs. Susan Templin
2000-2002 Mrs. Robin Huryn
2002-2004 Mrs. Elaine Goulet
2004-2006 Mrs. Elaine Goulet
2006-2008 Mrs. Christina Scherer
2008-2010 Mrs. Christina Scherer
2010-2012 Mrs. Lois Halko
2012-2014 Mrs. Yvette Despres
2014-2015 Mrs. Christina Scherer
2015-2016 Mrs. Yvette Despres[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]