How Do you See the Catholic Women's League ?

As a group of ladies who spend their time baking for never ending cake sales, with the occasional jumble sale in between, or ladies with time on their hands to spend in meetings. 

First let us look at the motto Charity, Work and Loyalty.

What Exactly Does being a Member of the C.W.L. Mean ?

Each of us is blessed with different gifts - the many projects of the League enable each member to find a use for her particular talents.

Our spiritual needs are met by Prayers at meetings, Days of Recollection, an annual Novena before the Feast of the Assumption.  Sick and disabled people become members, by offering their prayers and suffering for the intentions of the League.

The work of the League has many facets - somewhere, Y O U can fit in.

BUT FIRSTLYdispel the image of the League as the ladies who bake cakes and pour tea.  We do this very well, BUT it is only a small part of our function.

Parish Work

Every parish has work to be done to help the Parish Priest - an organised group such as the League is extremely useful as it frees his time for religious work (now vital at a time of fewer vocations).  Soup Kitchens and care groups are also parish projects.

Spiritual

Membership of the League enables Catholic women to experience friendship and fellowship in a Catholic environment - fulfilment of spiritual needs of members is thus vital: Branches have Spiritual Directors; Days of Recollection and Novenas are held; prayers for member's intentions are said.

Church Work

The Vestment - making Committee supplies parishes and missions with vestments and alter linen.  It is a group of dedicated women, with deep spiritual roots.  Would you like to help ?

Hospital Visiting

Visitors are always needed, especially those speaking Italian or Portuguese.  Visiting is very rewarding for both patient and visitor.  Could you do this once a week or once a month ?.  Included in our ministry is the Sacred Heart Aids Home in Kensington.

Cultural 

At the monthly C.W.L. discussion Circle, questions may be asked on any topic, books are listed and reviewed, talks are given on a diversity of subjects and visits to places of interest, are organised.  This is an interesting way to get to know others, if you are new to the Parish, or simply a way of making new friends.

Trefoil Magazine is published quarterly by the C.W.L.  It is not the mouthpiece of the C.W.L., but caters for all tastes.

Street Collections 

There are never enough Collectors for the street collections undertaken for the various projects by the League.  Could you give an hour or two of your time, when appeals are made.

Welfare Work 

The League in the Diocese is a registered welfare organization and maintains the following:

ST ANNE'S HOME, Edenvale, a haven for elderly women.

C.W.L ADOPTION SOCIETY councels women during pregnancy.  It also screens prospective adopters and places babies with them.  It operates a councelling service and a crisis line.

MARY IMMACULATE QUEEN PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE, Kliptown serves 185 children in a happy and caring environment.  This project is self-sufficient, a credit to those who were instrumental in starting it.

Creches at Mohlakeng, Randfontein, Mofolo and Thokoza provide education and care for young children.

KOPANONG SOUP KITCHEN in Dobsonville provides a nourshing meal of soup and bread for up to 3000 pensioners each month.

THANDANANI is a 'self-help' group of women engaged in making articles to order and for sale.

FAMILY AND COMMUNTIY SERVICES offers service in all parishes and projects to enhance local social services.  Projects include CARE (volunteer counselling network)  Life skills, education at schools, work with families and consultation to small grass roots projects.

There is s place for all Catholic women in the League.  Of course, funds are needed to keep thses projects operational and the League members do sterling work raising funds.

The work is thus obviously varied.  The need is never-ending, there is something for everyone.

The Catholic Women's League is a National organisation affiliated to the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations and, as such, is able to present the Catholic Woman's viewpoint on many controverial topics at National as well as Regional level.

The Catholic Women's League needs young, middle-aged and ederly ladies, brides, mothers and grandmothers.

  LADIES WE NEED ALL OF YOU