The Catholic Women’s League (CWLSJ) of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Moose Jaw celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 18 and members of the organization said they are proud to commemorate such a long history.
“I’m very proud to be able to celebrate 100 years,” said Stella Richards, vice-president of the CWLSJ. “We have currently about 100 members. We have at least seven members who are over 90. In fact, we gave a pin for 70 years to one of our members just recently. So, you can tell it’s an organization that we’re proud to belong to, and to be a part of St. Joseph’s.”
The anniversary celebrations began on June 11 with a vintage fashion show and tea.
A historical display was set up in the church’s south entrance. The display contained a variety of memorabilia, including scrapbooks reaching back decades.
“The St. Joseph’s Catholic Women’s League started in 1922, which was two years after our church was built,” said Suzanne Ellis, past president of the CWLSJ, who was heavily involved in planning celebrations. “We have many scrapbooks like these, with clippings, and photograph books of different years. … We would need such a large area to display it all.”
A special anniversary Mass church service was held on June 18 at 5 p.m.
CWLSJ members participated in the mass in significant ways such as master of ceremonies, greeting and ushering, scripture readings and prayers of the faithful, and singing in the choir.
Representatives attended from the provincial and diocesan CWL councils, as well as from the St. Joseph’s Parish Council and the Father Lawless Knights of Columbus Council.
Prior to 1920, most Catholic parishes had a women’s group that assisted the community and the church. They were typically called the Altar Society.
In 1920, the national Catholic Women’s League of Canada was created. On June 18, 1920, the Altar Society of St. Joseph’s Parish was disbanded, and a subdivision of the CWL of Canada was established in its place.
The CWL has always made a priority of helping its members both spiritually and temporally.
“The group of ladies that we currently have are all very committed to helping with our programs,” Richards said. “Some of our programs are our prayer chain, prayer blankets. We give donations to our charities, and we try to do funeral lunches.”
A new venture at St. Joseph’s is the first-ever Catholic Girl’s League, open to girls aged 9 to 15. Members will support each other, build friendships, and work on projects in the community.
Ellis said that being a member of the CWL does come with some extra responsibility. Not every woman who attends St. Joseph is a member, but members can commit as much or as little time to the organization as they need.
“As we pray as a group of CWL ladies, we’re praying with all the CWL members throughout Canada,” Ellis said, “which gives you more powerful prayer.”
