Catholic Women’s League celebrates major milestones

16 Jan 2026

By Phil Bayne

The Catholic Women’s League in Western Australia has recently celebrated two significant anniversaries – 40 years at St Joseph Pignatelli parish in Attadale and 20 years at St Thomas More parish in Margaret River.

Both anniversaries were commemorated with a special Mass of celebration.

At Attadale, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB was joined by concelebrants Fr Greg Donovan (former CWLWA Chaplain), Fr Don Kettle (Parish Priest) and Fr Geoff Beyer (former Parish Priest).

In his address, Archbishop Costelloe reflected on several areas that hold significance for CWL, including Catholic schools, synodality, and the power of the Holy Spirit guiding the Conclave.

In his address for the anniversary at Attadale, Archbishop Costelloe reflected on several areas that hold significance for CWL including Catholic schools, synodality, and the power of the Holy Spirit guiding the Conclave. Photo: Archdiocese of Perth.

Invited guests included CWL members and Attadale parishioners, as well as St Patrick’s Community Support Centre CEO Michael Piu, representatives from the University of Notre Dame, staff member Annalisa Oxenburg and Catholic Mission Diocesan Director Francis Leong.

A morning tea followed the Mass at which Stephanie Carne outlined the many activities the branch has been involved with such as The Red Bags for Archdiocesan agency The Shopfront, collecting donations for Ukraine, providing clothing to Indigenous communities in north-west WA, and assisting St Patricks Community Support Centre.

The Catholic Women’s League in Western Australia has recently celebrated two significant anniversaries – 40 years at St Joseph Pignatelli parish in Attadale and 20 years at St Thomas More parish in Margaret River. Photo: Archdiocese of Perth.

Margaret River celebrates

At Margaret River, Bunbury Bishop George Kolodziej SDS celebrated the Mass which also featured a choir of seasonal workers from the East Timorese community dressed in their striking national colours.

This has long been a focus for CWL Margaret River – supporting seasonal workers with practical and moral support and a friendly welcome to the Parish and region.

The uplifting service was perfectly complemented by the hospitality that followed.

At Margaret River, the Bunbury Bishop George Kolodziej SDS celebrated the Mass which also featured a choir of seasonal workers from the East Timorese community dressed in their striking national colours. Photo: Supplied/CWL.

Moving forward, to further enhance the relationship with visiting seasonal workers, the CWL plans to reintroduce conversation classes and hymn sessions to foster participation in the life of the Church and community.

Within the wider community, their popular sponsorship of a family membership at the local tennis club is also continuing.

For more information about CWLWA, visit catholicwomensleaguewa.com.au.