MOOSE JAW — After nearly 14 years of guiding Moose Jaw’s pro-life group as board president, Jean Landry is stepping down — but not completely away from — the organization and welcoming Brenda Havanka to the role.
Landry announced Havanka as the new leader for Moose Jaw Right to Life (MJRTL) during a Catholic Women’s League potluck supper at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on June 4. This appointment comes nearly two months after the outgoing president appealed during MJRTL’s spring banquet for new volunteers “with vision, new ideas (and) new energy.”
Landry explained that businesswoman Charlotte Dombowsky recommended Havanka as a possible replacement because the latter had been involved with the pro-life group years ago. The outgoing president thought that was wonderful since having people who know something about the organization is important.
“That’s all I needed to hear,” Landry chuckled.
Handing over the decision-making reigns “feels really, really good,” she continued, but she will continue to work behind the scenes to support mothers and babies and the cause of protecting life at all stages.
“The part that I’m stepping back from is the part that was difficult for me. It’s stressful to organize things and always think about … what to do next,” Landry said. “And besides, I have many grandchildren I want to spend time with and so that’s where my priorities will lie.”
Continuing, the outgoing board president said she enjoyed interacting with clients regularly, while she loved seeing the joy on people’s faces when they came to the MJRTL Centre at First Baptist Church and learned they could take whatever they wanted in baby clothing or other supplies.
“To be able to give without asking for anything in return, it’s a really good feeling to do that,” she remarked. “And there’s such gratitude, especially from people that are new to the city. They’ve come, they have nothing, and then they come to our centre and receive these things.”
Chuckling, Landry added that she was thankful that God answered prayers because the pro-life group now had a new leader with new ideas who could move the group forward.
Havanka explained that she accepted the role because she has always supported Moose Jaw Right to Life, while she has always believed that it’s God’s “heart” — or objective — to protect the unborn and the innocent. Moreover, she also has “a heart and desire” for those causes.
“So when Jean approached me on that, of course, I went into prayer and asked the Lord if I should, and I felt yes to do so,” the new board president said.
Havanka noted that she was vice-president of the MJRTL board years ago, while she has always attended the banquets and supported other activities — garage sales, marches, and life chains — that the non-profit has held.
Since she’s new to the position, Havanka said her main goal is to learn as much as she can while relying on Landry for “lots of counsel and wisdom.” She also commended the current board and existing volunteers for the great work they do with the organization and looked forward to working with them.
“I’m looking forward to, and already thinking about ideas for, the Right to Life banquet (next spring),” she added.
Moose Jaw Right to Life can be found on Facebook.
