The Catholic Women's League of Canada
MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada calls its members to grow in faith and to witness the love of God through ministry and service.
MOTTO
For God and Canada
PATRONESS
Under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mary is honoured as the patroness of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada
NATIONAL THEME 2026/2027
LINKS
National Council website
www.cwl.ca
Provincial Council website
www.cwlmanitoba.ca
DOWNLOADS
NOTRE DAME de LORETTE PARISH COUNCIL
PRESIDENT Faith Suttorp cwllorette@gmail.com
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR Fr. Jorge Mario de los Rios Londono
CORE PURPOSE
Uniting Catholic women to grow in faith, and to promote social justice through service to the church, Canada, and the world.
CORE VALUES
FAITH – following Catholic teaching
SERVICE – local, national and international
SOCIAL JUSTICE – actively involved in society
ENVISIONED FUTURE
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is an inclusive and engaged community of Catholic women inspired by faith. It is:
– a vital participant in the church;
– a valued partner of social justice;
– a respected advocate at all government levels; and
– connected to the world.
MEETINGS
Are held at 7:00 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, September to May, at the Lorette Parish Hall. Contact us at cwllorette@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP
The Notre Dame de Lorette Council invites all women, ages 16 years and older, to consider becoming a member and experience opportunities for faith, fun and fulfillment.
FAITH IN ACTION
Red Sand Project
The Red Sand project to raise awareness about human trafficking was led by members of Notre Dame de Lorette Council, Lorette, MB on October 6, 2024 and April 8, 2026. Parishioners of all ages enthusiastically participated in filling the cracks in the sidewalks around the church, its cemetery and leading to the front street.
Honour Guard
CWL members from Lorette and other parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface responded to Archbishop Albert LeGatt’s invitation, forming an honour guard with the Knights of Columbus at St. Boniface Cathedral for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2025, and again at the Chrism Mass celebrated March 31, 2026.
Christmas Float 2025
Promoting Christ in Christmas as well as the League, Notre Dame de Lorette CWL members braved -24 C weather to accompany their float in the annual Parade of Lights in Lorette, MB, handing out treats to the enthusiastic crowds who had gathered along the almost one-kilometer parade route on December 6, 2025.
Highway Cleanup
Each spring and fall since 2019, CWL women assisted by community volunteers have championed and done the work of cleaning litter along 8 km. of ditches bordering PR #207 through the Adopt-A-Highway program as an expression of caring for our common home.
Pilgrimage
Notre Dame de Lorette CWL members marked the Jubilee of Hope with a two‑day pilgrimage held September 20–21, 2025. Pilgrims obtained plenary indulgences as they visited churches in Lorette, Cooks Creek, Beausejour, Richer, and Ste. Anne, braving steady rain, grey skies, and finally a welcome touch of sunshine on the last day. To mark their parish’s 125th anniversary, participants first gathered at the church with prayers and a brief history of the parish, and at Lorette’s historic cross, each selecting a painted rock to carry throughout the journey. The pilgrimage concluded where it began, with the group returning to place their rock at the foot of the cross with closing prayers, reflections and final blessing to complete this meaningful celebration of faith and community.
Christmas Float 2024
Christmas preparations began in October 2024 for Notre Dame de Lorette CWL as they planned a float for the annual Parade of Lights. Members proudly promoted The Catholic Women’s League and put “Christ in Christmas” while members handed out candies to children along the slushy parade route on Dec. 7, 2024.
Poutine Fundraiser
The CWL parish council of Notre Dame de Lorette held a poutine fundraiser, raising $1,000 for the local food bank. On December 7, 2024 council members presented the donation to the Tache Food Resource Center, which helped provide Christmas hampers to those in need in the Rural Municipality of Tache.
Soup Sunday
Notre Dame de Lorette CWL Council celebrated parish support they receive and recruitment of new members by hosting its annual Soup Sunday on November 2, 2024 after the Sunday Masses. CWL members served up sixteen pots of homemade soup, buns, desserts, and beverages. A free-will offering raised over $500 for The Cove, a youth drop-in center in Lorette, MB.
Find out more about our CWL council on the C&S Country Gardens website
Community Champion: Notre Dame de Lorette CWL – C+S Country Gardens
