CWL

Holy Name of Jesus

In the year 1942, Fr. T.J. Sloan, P.P. of Holy Name got the idea that Holy Name needed a C.W.L. council. So, on July 26^th that year, a Charter was granted and Holy Name Council was organized. There were 34 charter members.

Our means of survival over the years were not too many and varied. We had Rummage Sales, Auction Sales, Imaginary Cake Sales, Ticket Sales and Euchre Parties which ran from October to March, with a short break for Christmas.

We held Flea Markets in the fall and real Bake Sales. Our obligations, first and foremost, were per capita fees, National, Provincial and Diocesan. Membership was .50 cents in those days. So, when fees were paid, we had .20 cents left per member. Membership now is $15.00.

Donations were made to Holy Name Elementary School and P.T.A., St. Joseph's Elementary School, Our Lady's High School, St. Columba's Boys School. First Communion breakfasts were served and a gift was given to each child. Guides and Brownies were also sponsored. Three-day bazaars were held outside since we had no facilities inside. The Annex and kitchen were built in the early 1950's.

Turkey suppers were an annual event held every fall. Shamrocks were sold on March 17^th with the proceeds going to Marianhill, home for seniors. Every year a Pantry Shower was held for the Precious Blood Sisters. Every Christmas an Empty Stocking Fund was held for St. Joseph's Sisters in Peru. A donation was made every year to the Sacred Heart Program. Gifts were also given to parish staff at Christmas.

The feast of Our Lady of Good Council was always set apart as very special. Members attended mass in a body and later went out for a meal at a restaurant in town. A guard of honour was held at the funeral of a member, and a wreath was placed at the Cenotaph in November in memory of our dead.

In 1957, the 10^th Annual Provincial Convention was held at Holy Name.

In 1985, the Annual Diocesan Convention was held at Holy Name.

Diocesan Conventions, Diocesan Executive Meetings and Workshops were always well attended by Holy Name Council members.

We were honoured to have two of our Spiritual Directors invested as Domestic Prelates. Rev. C. J. Jones in 1953 and Rev. E.T. McNally in December 1960.

We were also honoured to have seven of our local sons ordained to the priesthood: Rev. Fr. Lornie Gauthier 1942; Rev. Fr. Thomas Klatt - 1949; Rev. Fr. R.M. Tardiff - 1958; Rev. Fr. Patrick Blake - 1962; Rev. Fr. Grant Neville - 1969; Rev. Fr. Robert Borne - 1974; Rev. Fr. Paul Ling - 1988, (died Sept. 5, 1997).

C.W.L. members worked hard in those early days, but we also had our good times. We had Christmas parties, Valentine parties, lunches after meetings, sat in the kitchen and talked, and danced to the music of violins and pianos in our hall.

In June of 1989, Holy Name C.W.L. was disbanded. Our Lady of Good Council was looking out for us because a new council was organized in February 1995, with 82 members and Helen Schruder as President and Fr. Kerry Brennan as Spiritual Advisor. Holy Name Council was welcomed back and received congratulations from National, Provincial and Diocesan Councils.

The main highlight in June 1996 was the celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Church. The C.W.L. executive and membership is to be congratulated on the way all things were organized and carried out during this largely attended event.

In 2009, with a new executive, under the leadership of President Shirley Parker and Spiritual Director Fr. Steve Ballard, we look forward to the term 2009-2011 as we continue to serve God and Canada.