Happy Easter! May our Risen Lord continue to be your inspiration, strength and comfort.
With this sacred season also comes spring with new and renewed hopes. May we soon see the end to CO-VID. At minimum, may we all receive our vaccinations.
On that note, there have been many questions for Catholics on the ethics surrounding some of the available vaccines. Thank you to Mary McLean who attended the Virtual Presentation on Vaccines: Faith and Science Working Together. This session featured guest speaker, Dr. Moira McQueen, Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. Mary made the following notes:

• Dr. McQueen discussed the ethical issues involved in the composition, production and testing of the COVID 19 vaccines that originated in fetal tissue taken from the body of aborted babies. It was said that neither Pfizer or Moderna vaccines involved the use of cell lines from fetal tissue. However, AstraZeneca and Johnson Johnson may have involved cell lines in the testing of the vaccines. Dr. McQueen talked about it being our obligation as Catholics to speak out to our government and request ethical vaccines.
• As Catholics we do not agree with the use of a fetus for the research, etc to save another human being. She talked about it being an individual conscience decision. Do we not take the vaccine and therefore stay home, continue to wear masks and social distance to protect everyone else? Catholic teaching on the common good is also a factor in making a good conscience decision. We also have a moral obligation to protect ourselves, others, in general, society and mankind.
   

• The Vatican News (Dec. 21/2020) reported that Pope Francis approved a statement from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine (CDR) of the Faith on the morality of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. "In the absence of other means to stop or even prevent the epidemic, the common good may recommend vaccination, especially to protect the weakest and most exposed." Furthermore, this would "not constitute formal cooperation" with the terminations [abortions] that took place. And even further, “when ethically irreproachable CO-VID-19 vaccines are not available,” it is “morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines (specifically the AstraZeneca and Johnson Johnson)...” The CDR did reinforce to those who refuse vaccines "produced with lines from aborted fetuses" for moral reasons, that they must take necessary precautions to avoid COVID-19 transmission. [similar statement made by Dr, McQueen]

Cell lines derived from aborted fetuses in COVID-19 vaccines a concern for some Catholics (citynews.ca)
For us of the St Gerard Majella CWL, it is still unclear when we can gather. Yet some activities continue, although under very different circumstances. The CWL of the Dioceses of Sault Ste. Marie is conducting a “virtual convention” mid April, which I will attend, all be it from the comfort of my home. Of particular interest will be the restructure / revitalization of the CWL as an organization. This will stream down to us at our local level; redefine our Executive composition, how many committees and the number of chairpersons.
There are a couple of projects that I would like us to consider. The first being the Dessert Cookbook and the second, a Water Saving Challenge. Of course, we will need to discuss these in more detail and have a vote, especially if there will be related expenditures. In the meantime, thank you to all for your support (and recipes).
Please continue to stay strong and safe.
Mary, Mother of God and our Patroness, pray for us

March 1^st is the start of our new fiscal year, but what the future brings is very unclear. Hopefully co-vid will not hold us captive like it had for the last twelve months.  We are still accepting memberships ($25.00), new and renewals. Should you have problems in dropping this off at the parish office, Sheila Shannon and I are available to pick that up from you.  Please let me know
            email – remondsa54@gmail.com or phone - 705-942-9869

Looking back there was both sad and good news in the past year. On the behalf of all members, I wish to send sincere condolences to the following members:
            Rita Rollins on the loss of her sister, Maria Cundari – August 30, 2020
            Lynne Hertz on the loss of her husband, Doug - October 29, 2020
            Jane McNally on the loss of her husband, Larry – December 8, 2020
            Marie Smith on the loss of her brother-in-law Robert Smith – January 2021
            Colleen Murphy on the loss of her mother, Rita Kelly – February 1, 2021

To these members and any others that we may have missed, may you all be granted the Lord's peace in knowing that your loved ones have been received in His house.

On a “happier” note, our parish League celebrated its 50 years anniversary on November 18, 2020.  Given the co-vid restrictions, the then Executive requested masses in recognition of this event.  In addition, we have some members who achieved milestones in their years of service with the League.  Congratulations:
            Jane Colameco – 50 years (2021)
            Marie Smith – 45 years (2020)
            Sheila Shannon – 35 years (2020)
            Sabina Remondi – 25 years (2021)

As we move through Lent, I encourage our members and all parishioners to access the many wonderful links found on Formed and our own parish website. Our faith will make us stronger.

Please continue to stay strong and safe.

Mary, Mother of God and our Patroness, pray for us.

So here we are on a snowy day in February. Some of us may be bored, missing our routines. But I think all of us are looking forward to the end of this “stay home” order. Let's hope February 11^th brings us some renewed freedoms.

St. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. In a “normal” year, we would be deep in preparations for our Annual Tea. But this year is different, very different – no physical contact with one another, no banging and clanging in the kitchen, no clattering of teacups and dishes. And perhaps worse of all, the loss of revenue for our CWL to help the parish and our other projects.
Still I think there is much for which to be thankful, and do. When I think Valentine's, I think of love, sweethearts, flowers but most of all, chocolate!! I'd like to propose a collection of our favourite recipes – just desserts and sweets; with or without chocolate. Depending on you for your recipes and eventual help, we could produce a book that we could sell in our parish and / or at our next Tea.

So please send me your favourite recipe/s (typed or photo). I'll start a binder (and electronic folder) and let's see where this project can take us!!
Thank you for your continued support! Stay strong, stay safe.
Mary, Mother of God and our Patroness, pray for us.
Sabina
 

Good day again my friends.
Thank you to all who responded to my previous CWL News.  To date, we have processed 26 memberships. This does not include any that may have been dropped off at the church within the last week. Once again, should you require assistance, please do not hesitate to let me know - remondsa54@gmail.com

Bell Let's Talk Day, which is coming up this Thursday, January 28, 2021. Some  of you may already be aware of this important initiative and given the world's current state, it is quite timely to reach out to one another. I encourage you to participate, we need this more now than ever! And let's try to make this a regular activity!! On that note, should you be aware of any member who has an email address but is not on our list, please let me know - I'll make sure to add her.

And finally - one of our members and dear friend, Sheila Shannon recently shared the attached link with me which I would like to share with all of you computer savvy ladies. Personally, I never read the (entire) bible; only bits and pieces. I have been listening to this podcast almost daily. I admit there are days when I have to play "catchup"! Connect in to Fr. Mike Schmitz - it only takes 20 minutes or so per day. He provides great interpretation and another great way to celebrate our faith.  Lent and Easter are not far away. Enjoy

All Bible in a Year Episodes - Ascension Press Media

Stay safe and God Bless.
Mary, Mother of God and our Patroness, pray for us.

To our sisters in the CWL and all women of the St. Gerard Majella Parish – GREETINGS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As we move further into 2021, we continue to experience the effects of Covid-19. Our lives
have certainly changed in the past 12 months. “How much longer?”, you ask. No doubt, we are in the hands of our dear Lord. So, let us continue to have faith and patience, and above all pray.

Like so many other organizations, the St. Gerard Majella CWL has not been spared. Meetings, workshops, other activities, especially our Valentine’s Tea, have all been curtailed. It is, however, important that we continue.

In this spirit, the past Executive recently proposed the following temporary leadership:
Sabina Remondi – President while maintaining Treasurer
Shirley Leonard – Secretary
Colleen Murphy – Diocesan Liaison

Memberships for 2021 remain at $25.00 and are now due. You can drop that off at the
parish office or can make pickup arrangements by emailing Sabina at remondsa54@gmail.com

These are indeed challenging times. Please continue to follow Covid-19 guidelines and other government directives. Stay strong, stay safe.

Mary, Mother of God, and our Patroness, pray for us.