Catholic Women’s League members from Geraldton to the Southwest gather at St Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate 75 years in Western Australia
The Catholic Women’s League (CWL) celebrated its 75 year presence in Western Australia on Sunday, May 27 with a special Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.
The congregation included more than 100 CWL members from throughout the state – from Geraldton to the Southwest – as well as several seminarians and invited guests.
Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey was joined in celebrating Mass by past National Chaplain, Fr Tim Foster; Bunbury Diocesan Chaplain, Fr Wally Kevis and St Charles’ Seminary’s Dean of Seminary Life and First Year Formator, Fr John O’Reilly.
State CWL Treasurer, Maria Parkinson said the occasion was an acknowledgement of the 1937 founding members as well as those who have been, and those who still are, part of the organisation.
She said it was an opportunity to showcase the importance of CWL in parishes throughout Western Australia.
The CWLWA banner was processed into the Cathedral, carried by Life Members, Georgie Bruce-Smith (Busselton) and Anne Power (Kukerin).
Cathedral Dean, Mgr Michael Keating welcomed all present, sharing that his mother had been a member of the Highgate branch in years past.
At an after-Mass reception, long service certificates – for ongoing members who had served for 40 or more years – were presented.
Recipients included Kath Berg, Molly Indermaur, Alice Gee, Anne Power, Fay Jones and Georgie Bruce-Smith.
In her remarks, State President Karyn Kammann acknowledged invited guests from the Anglican Mothers Union, Knights of the Southern Cross and the Jewish Women’s Association of WA.