麻豆传媒AV

The Notre Dame CWL Council hosted the 66th annual Saskatchewan Provincial Catholic Women's League Convention in North Battleford June 2 and 3.

Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, registration was held from 10 a.m. to noon with 220 persons registering.

The convention officially opened at 1 p.m. with the presentation of colours, O Canada and an opening prayer.

Provincial president and convention chairperson Marg Szabos introduced hosting president Helen Kayfish and Prince Albert Diocese Spiritual Advisor Fr. Greg Elder, bringing greetings from Bishop Albert Thevenot, who was unable to attend.

Deputy Mayor Ray Fox brought greetings from the City of North Battleford on behalf of Mayor Ian Hamilton. He extended a warm welcome, saying, "Come on in, the water's fine!"

Guest speaker Donny Parenteau, a native of Prince Albert of Métis descent, is one of Canada's top songwriters, a singer, guitar and fiddle player, public speaker and a strong advocate against bullying.

He is the youngest of four children from a poor family. He tried baseball and hockey when he was young but found it was not something he wanted to pursue. At age 14 he started playing the fiddle with visions of being famous and "going to Nashville."

Bullied and called "half-breed" as a youth, Parenteau stated that when people don't understand you, they bully you.

"Don't pick on someone who's a little different - we're all here for a reason and we have to go out and find that reason."

His mission of anti-bullying started with a dream. "Every person is in charge of their own destiny."

He said it is the duty of all to help empower youth to ensure they have a future following their dreams.

At age 19, Parenteau lost sight of his own dream of making it to Nashville and was planning to go into law enforcement. Then Neal McCoy came along with his band and Parenteau packed up and went with them on the road.

At age 24, he played on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry as Neal McCoy's fiddle player. Afterward, he phoned his mother (his father had passed away after he left home) to tell her his biggest dream had come true. What should he do now, he asked her. She answered, make up new dreams and follow them.

In addition to playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage, he also appeared on the television show, and went on to meet stars such as Reba McIntyre, Brooks and Dunn, Brad Paisley, Johnny Reid and Kenny Shields, plus other celebrities including boxers Leon Spinks and Mike Tyson.

In 2008 he retired from the McCoy band and started his own. He performed at Craven Jamboree and a send off for troops leaving Petawawa, Ont. military base for Afghanistan, and represented Saskatchewan musically at the Olympics when they were held in Vancouver. He was voted Canadian Fiddle Player of the year in 2003. In 2008, 2012 and 2013 he won Juno awards.

There is also a CD of his music in a time capsule in Regina to be opened in the next century. He's happy about this because his dad once told him, "Take your name as far as you can."

In his work toward a bully free environment across Saskatchewan, Parenteau says he feels strongly that with the world revolving around iPads and cellphones, texting and Facebooking there is a real cutback on family communications. The "eye to eye" contact when you "speak from the heart," person to person, is becoming replaced by technological communications, through which people can feed off the insecurities of others, which can lead to cyber bullying.

Parenteau ended his talk with one of his philosophies: "I'm too busy to worry about people that don't like me because I'm busy loving the people that love me."

Accompanied by guitarist Justin Bloudoff, he played his guitar and sang Imagine the World With No Bullying Around, My Girl, written for one of his daughters, and his new single, Don't Forget to Fish.

He concluded by playing his fiddle, performing his renditions of Danny Boy, Red Wing, Orange Blossom Special and others.

Following Parenteau's presentation, Provincial Spiritual Advisor Fr. Francis Hengen spoke with the current CWL theme, We Have Seen the Lord, in mind. We must first find ourselves by accepting our weaknesses and failures and understand them before we can have something to offer others. The Holy Spirit at Pentecost gives us strength and courage to help others.

The provincial chairpersons gave their reports in their respective areas. We were reminded of the importance of getting along and nurturing, inspiring and enlightening others. We are encouraged to bond with our young by getting to know them better and thus better understand them.

The 5 p.m. mass at Notre Dame was celebrated by Fr. Hengen with 10 priests co-celebrating. Following mass, a banquet was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Entertainment was by Colin Keller and his wife and their five children aged 8 to 19 years. Playing keyboard, drums, four violins, guitar and horn, they alternated instruments and sang several songs as well.

Tuesday, after a continental breakfast, further reports from chairs were presented.

A film and presentation by past national CWL president and honorary life member Velma Harasen showed the trip CWL members had taken last June to the Holy Land. She was assisted by Chantal Devine, who had also been on the trip. The journey took them to the site of the two projects of "Velma's Dream."

The first project was the Infant Welfare Centre, which was close to where Jesus was born. It started out as a daycare centre and has since benefited about 182 persons ranging from kindergarten children to adults. Velma's dream "to help the poor in the Holy Land" is evolving.

Velma's second project is to build a 40-bed hospital to replace the small, primitive Shepherd's Field Hospital. This worthwhile cause is an ongoing project to "build a bridge" to those who so desperately need help.

CWL honorary life members and life member were named and recognized.

The Social Justice Award was presented to Kira Paisley.

The mass at noon was celebrated by Fr. Hengen with co-celebrants Fr. Pius Schroh and Fr. Ed Hengen. Following mass, Fr. Schroh was installed as the new provincial spiritual advisor. The provincial CWL executive also reaffirmed their commitments to their respective offices.

A luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall brought to an end the two-day convention. Next year's provincial convention will be held June 1 and 2 in Regina.