Motto: For God and Country
Patroness: Our Lady Help of Christians
The League started in Australia in 1913 and since its beginning has provided a voice for women in the Church on social and moral issues affecting family life. Members of the League are involved at many levels in the Church – Parish, Community, Diocese. Today Catholic Women’s League exists on a national, State and diocesan level in Australia.
At a national level the League provides a Catholic view on current and new legislation and prepares submissions to Government. As well, motions to Government on different issues are prepared at a Biennial conference involving members from the States and dioceses around Australia.
Catholic Women’s League, Australia (CWLA) is also involved at an international level. It is a member of WUCWO, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations, which has a voice at the Vatican and some of United Nations organisations.
At a diocesan and State level, there are many branches in the country and city. The Enfield branch, for example, belongs to the Archdiocese of Sydney. Sydney has representatives on committees for Reconciliation, Caritas, National Council of Women & Australian Church Women. Members are encouraged to write letters to politicians and the media on current issues. The branches support different charitable works in Australia and overseas and a Project of the Year is selected. Fund raising activities are then arranged to help support this.
CWL Sydney owns and operates Marian court at Strathfield, independent self-care units for the over fifty-fives. This project was built some years ago by the courageous far-sighted women of the Sydney’s CWL.
In Sydney, monthly meetings are held at the Polding Centre attended by representatives of the branches. The meeting is followed by lunch and a guest speaker. Information from this meeting is taken back to individual branch meetings.
The Enfield Branch held its first meeting on 16 August 1979 and continues to meet at the Parish each month on the fourth Wednesday following the 9.15am Mass. The meetings are relaxed and friendly and various reports are shared and fund -raising activities discussed. The meeting always finishes with a “cuppa”. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Catholic Women’s League, or anyone wishing to join, is warmly invited to attend a meeting.