Praise for Catholic Women's League as it launches 'into deep'

Sydney
10 February 2002

Archbishop steps into fray over detainees

Worldwide theology video link

Archbishop clarifies divorce ban claims

New heads for 23 Sydney schools

Praise for Catholic Women's League as it launches 'into deep'

Archbishop: Red Mass is a reminder of 'different truth'

Like 'white Australia' policy - bishop

Woomera 'concentration camp'

Welfare groups offer care for children

Ecumenical study programs for Lent

Vietnamese New Year Mass

Editorial: Time for a 'fair go'?

Letters: Think of what the Lord's Prayer says

Conversation: Youth, mission and a 'call to sainthood' - Selina Hasham, World Youth Day co-ordinator

Reflections: In the steps of the Good Samaritan

Pope John Paul II: pilgrimage of peace

As one in hope

Lent: Words of Jesus 'ring out for us today'

No school, no running water for the folk who live in this not so super Dome

Inspirations: Would-be pilgrims' progress

Praise for Catholic Women's League as it launches 'into deep'

Bishop Peter Ingham congratulates the new national president of the Catholic Women's League, Peg McEntee, at the Mass in Wollongong for the league's new national executive Photo by: Noeline Kelly

"Launch into the deep" is the theme chosen by the members of the new national executive of the Catholic Women's League for their term of office as they celebrated their new role at a Wollongong Mass.
The Mass - celebrated at St Francis Xavier Cathedral by the Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Peter Ingham, with the national Catholic Women's League chaplain, Mons Vince Redden - was attended by local dignitaries and Catholic Women's League members from across Australia.
Bishop Ingham reminded the congregation that the theme for the new team came from Christ's invitation to the apostle Simon to "put out into the deep".
When they did this, the apostles enjoyed a large catch of fish.
Drawing upon the words of Pope John Paul II at the completion of the Jubilee Year, Bishop Ingham said the phrase invited us to "remember the past with gratitude, inviting us to live the present with enthusiasm, and inviting us to look forward to the future with confidence".
He said the Pope wanted each local Church to "find fresh heart and enthusiasm" for its mission, and this applied particularly to the apostolates of lay Catholics such as the Catholic Women's League.
Bishop Ingham praised the group for its 89 years of service to the community, which had "achieved extraordinary results and made a wonderful contribution of goodness both to the Church and to society at large".
He said: "In doing this, Catholic Women's League members have released a potential within themselves and grown and developed in the process.
"As in all situations like this, we who participate take away far more than we gave or brought in the first place."
Without ignoring the often controversial demands and complaints of many women today in our secular and religious communities, he said, "Catholic Women's League Australia tries to steer a realistic middle path offering support and encouragement to all Catholic women who genuinely want to work and pray within and for the Church."
Bishop Ingham thanked the outgoing executive on behalf of the Bishop's Conference, and congratulated the new team under national president, Peg McEntee.
He said that as they worked to make the Church "present and operative in those places and circumstances where, only through them, it can become the 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world' they may always be aware they are not doing it on their own".
The bishop added: "The Lord Jesus is working with and through you as committed baptised members of his Church."