CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
INTRODUCTION
The Cathedral of the Sacred CWL has been in existence for 5 years now in 2015. We have been having annual electoral AGMs after every designated term. We have had three (3) electoral AGMs, in 2012, 2013 and in 2014. Meaning that, we have had an inaugural executive andthree elected executives at AGMs. During this period we had 4 (four) Presidents: namely Itumeleng Ganyane (2010-2012); Ouma Ramatlhodi (2012-2013); Mpho Portia Phayane-Mohasoa (2013-2014) and Ouma Ramatlhodi (2014- to date).
In 16 years (2031) the National CWL will be turning 100 years. In the same period our inaugural members enrolled on the 21stFebruary 2010(The late LillianMaletoloMphahlele; Busisiwe Khumalo; Nkuli Shinga; Mavis Baba Kok; Marcia Williams; Theresa NthabisengMashabawe; LeratoSibeko; MobeKgasoane; Letitia Gloria Morabe; Ntemi Masemola; Itumeleng Ganyane and Ouma Ramatlhodi) as well as the (3) enrolled later on the 7th November 2010 ((Mpho Moleko; Mpho Portia Phayane-Mohasoa and Maki Pheladi Tsima) will be celebrating their 21st anniversaryas members of the CWL.
Ms BusiMakgonya-Zikhali will be celebrating 15 years as a CWL member in 2016.
The 2014–2015 CWL Branch Report is the fourth since the inauguration of the sodality at the Cathedral on 21 February2010.
At the beginning the 2010 – 2012 Inaugural Executive was comprised of only four members: the Branch President Ms ItuGanyane (now Second National Deputy President of the CWL; Deputy President Ms Ntemi Masemola (now Treasurer of the Pretoria CWL Diocese Council); Treasurer Ms Nkuli Shinga (now the Branch Deputy President) and Secretary Ms Baba Mavis Kok (now the National CWL Secretary). The portfolio of a Branch Correspondent was added on in 2012 -2013 and was filled by Ms Adelaide Senabe (now the CWL National Correspondent). The branch has evidently contributed more human resources to the national office and the branch should ensure that they are adequately supported so as to enable them to execute their national duties.
Fr Phalana, was the Branch Chaplain and formatter until his appointment as Bishop of Klerksdorp at the end of 2014. He took us through the “Women of Faith and Courage” 2011-2014 Theme to “You are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World” 2014-2017 Theme. These CWL themes are neatly interwoven with the liturgical year themes declared by the Pope so as to inspire the work performed in the church. This is where Fr Karabo our present Parish priest and Chaplain has taken over from. He has seen us through the “Year of Consecrated lives”and we hope that the “Year of Mercy”/ “Salt and Light” will see a radical transformation of the Leaguethrough love in action.
During the 3 years of “Women of Faith and Courage” the branch focused on the following objectives:
i. Building a cohesive CWL branch
ii. Promotion of cooperation and collaboration among the CWL women, women in the church and others
iii. Promotion of the Spirit of fellowship amongst Catholic women
iv. Promotion of a Spirit of giving
v. Building a sustainable revenue stream for charity work
In order to report on how the CWL has performed during 2014/2015 a reflection on the past years is important. Focus should be on how as CWL members have lived our motto in the parish and how we have grown the organization. In our reflection we should pay attention to how we have received and treated views coming from within the CWL, from members of the parish as well as from those we are serving. We should reflect on how we have impacted on others by just welcoming them into our lives. We should reflect on how the work we are doing for the church has in return (reciprocally) impacted on our Spiritual development. A better report would be on how we have given the Lord space in our lives to do what he wants to do through us. At the end of the day, our purpose is to give people hope and draw more souls to the path that leads to Christ.
On the other hand, when we do an assessment of this nature, we need to be conscious of negative perceptions that develop because of the way we project ourselves. We must dispel the perception that the CWL is exclusive and is comprised of women of a certain class. It is important for the CWL be the “Door of Faith” that is welcoming to all Catholic women young and old. A Young CWL would not be a bad idea. We need to communicate that we are a sodality of women who would like to emulate Our Mother Mary who is Immaculate (spotless) without sin. It is this woman, Our Lady Assumed into heaven who is our patron/ guardian and protector and she intercedes on our behalf. Ladies, for us to can confidently say that we have achieved and are praying to achieve more reckless talk intended at undermining and bringing other women down must stop. We should encourage each other to serve the Lord the best way we can. Let us do this by serving each other and others the best way we can.
1. THE BRANCH EXECUTIVE
The present executive took over on the 14thSeptember 2014 after the National Conference in Port Elizabeth. Ms Ntemi Masemola who was elected branch Deputy President resigned in order to assume responsibilities as Diocesan Treasurer. She was subsequently replaced by Ms Nkuli Shinga.
a. Branch President Ms Ouma Ramatlhodi
b. Deputy President Ms Nkuli Shinga
c. Secretary Ms Sally Toto
d. Treasurer Ms Lerato Sibeko
e. News Correspondent Ms Stella Maphosa
2. COMMITTEES AND CONVENORS
a. Spirituality Committee (Ms Matshepo Peters)
b. Compassion / Bereavement Committee (Ms Busi Zikhali)
c. Events Committee (Ms Bulelwa Huna)
d. Fundraising Committee (Ms Martha MohaleMotseki)
MEMBERSHIP(47)
Annual enrolment has been as follows:
2001 (1) Ms Busi Zikhali (enrolled in the Jo’burg Diocese)
2010February 21: (13) members (Fr Victor Phalana) 1late
2010 August 07: (03) members (Fr Victor Phalana)
2011 August 00: (05) members (Fr Victor Phalana)
2012August 12: (05) members (Fr Victor Phalana)
2013 August 00: (04)members (Fr Victor Phalana)
2014 September 07: (05)members (MsgrKevin)
2014 October 12: (01) member (Fr Victor Phalana) late
2015 August 23: (13) members (Fr Karabo Baloyi)
MEETINGS
Most of the time, our meetings are attended by just more than half the number of members. Members who have not been attending meetings and retreats, prayer sessions, vigils and availing themselves for doing charity work regularly are encouraged to improve on their attendance.
2014/2015 PROGRAM OF ACTION / YEAR PLAN
The Program of Action of the CWL is comprised of the Parish Pastoral work; Diocese and own activities.
Work done at branch level during this period:
a. (18) members attended the Conference in PE 6-10 August 2014
b. Organized and hosted a parish women’s day in February 2015
c. Hammanskraal visits and grocery supplies to the retired old Handmaids nuns. During December the nuns are treated to a Christmas Party with gifts. The Sacred Heart sodality from Mamelodi and Sunnyside have partnered with us to make this memorable.
(Feb, April, June, Aug Oct, Dec)
d. International Women’s day of Prayer with other denominations
e. Palm Sunday: Treat for Catechism kids (22 March 2015)
f. Chrism Mass Lunch preparation for the clergy (1 April 2015)
g. Assumption Day celebration including participating in the Night Vigil and sharing on assigned topics and activities(13-14 August 2015)
h. Retreats including pre-enrolment retreat by Seminarians and interviews by Fr Karabo Baloyi: (22-23 August 2015). Topics covered under the CWL theme included: “Jesus calms the storm” (Matt 4:35-41); Elija in a cave” (1Kings 19:9-13), “the widow and the judge” (Luke 18:1-18), “Hanna’s prayer” (1 Samuel 1:9-19), We are called by name (Isaiah 6:5-8), “salt and light” (Matt 5:13) – ways in which one can lose the salt (own doing / others doing you). How am I light of the world and who is the source of the light; 5 Stones against Goliath
i. Enrolment of new members (23 August 2015). Homily included messages on “Standing for the truth” “Standards we are using to be based on the Gospel”.
j. Branch AGM (27 June 2015). Fr Karabo Baloyi presided.
k. Participation in the celebration of the Sacred Heart Feast Day (parish united with the big diocesan community)
l. Parish Tree Planting, Harvest and Bazaar (2015)
m. Monthly meetings every 2nd Sunday of the month. Start with prayers and reflection on the homily of the day. Reporting to the diocese on the last Saturday of the month.
n. CWL Sunday and collection. This needs more support from the parish. Our branch was not successful in implementing this event. Our parish priest did not get the communication from the diocese.
o. Fundraising throughout the year: Cake sale and clothing
p. Priesthood Sunday for our Parish Priest and his guests (3rd Sunday of October 2015).
q. Encouraged members to respond to the PHASE III Booklet
r. Attending PPC Quarterly meetings
Work done at diocesan level during this period:
a. WUCWO Mass in Capital Park on 17th May 2015
b. CWL Combined Mass in Lyttleton on 7th June 2015
c. Diocesan Retreat in Pretoria North on 7th February 2015 by Diocesan Chaplain Fr Thabiso Ledwaba
d. Diocesan AGM in Silverton on 4th July 2015
e. Fellowship Tea in Eersterust on 17th October 2015
f. Diocesan Leadership Workshop by Sr Khensani (from Krugersdorp) in Lynwood on 28th April 2015. Focus was on Christian Leadership that begins with faith and based on Christian Spirituality. Ordinary Leadership (power, prestige and authority) vs Christian Leadership (Christ set the example. It is about Love and service. The vision is to get us to the Father, mission is to evangelize and build the kingdom of God). What can help the CWL to lead towards Christ?
2015-2016 PROGRAM OF ACTION / YEAR PLAN
The 2015/2016 Program of Action is basically the same as the previous years in terms of what one could call a Calendar Activities. It was discussed by the members in October 2015 and submitted to the PPC for inclusion in the Parish Pastoral Council Calendar of Events.
Fundraising activities is normally informed by what the branch intends to achieve for the parish and the branch’s charity work.
2016 KEY FOCUS AREA
To promote the Spiritual Development of the CWL members through Prayer, Sacrifice and Charity so as to lead our souls toward Christ
To foster a Spirit of prayer Love and Collaboration amongst other Sodalities, in particular, Marian sodalities
To build a sustainable income stream for the CWL charity work
To develop leadership qualities among the members of the CWL
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