I began my teaching career as a French and English major, who taught in Edmonton Catholic Schools at elementary until moving to Kamloops British Columbia. In my 37 year career, I taught mainly at public secondary school though I was always involved in catechism classes, summer bible camp, RCIA and baptism preparation. For the last twelve years I enjoyed needs-based teaching with international students, immigrants and refugees in Kamloops at Sahali Secondary. What a blessing! When I wasn’t travelling with my husband, Rick, the whole world came to me. Our son and grandson both enjoy travelling near and far.

A year of exchange teaching in Australia in 2006 required me to quit various responsibilities in Canada. In 2007 I returned to become highly involved in both Pregnancy Care Centre of Kamloops (now Hopewell) and The Catholic Women’s League. All those years of planting the seeds of “you’ve been nominated” finally “sprouted” as I lined myself up for meaningful retirement by 2012.

Rick and I have finished up our world travel plans, which by 2023 had taken us to all seven continents! It allowed us to see in action some of the great Canadian Catholic organizations: Save a Family Plan (SAFP), Chalice and MaterCare in India, Africa and South America. We saw first hand how a few dollars a month of sponsorship improves not only the life of the child, but is life changing for the family and the whole community.

Since my first CWL position at Sacred Heart Cathedral as Education and Health in 2008-09, I have been Organization / President-Elect (2010-11), President (2012-13), and then off to Diocesan. After four years as Resolutions and Secretary, I committed to six years of VP, President (2024-2026) and eventually, Past President. I look forward to the opportunity to be president during these exciting years of change and new growth. Come and See!

She joined the CWL in 2007 and jumped in with both feet, eager to learn all that the League had to offer. Despite her mother being a CWL parish president, CWL largely meant funeral receptions and the parish’s annual bazaar. Her enthusiasm for this new knowledge led her to being the BC “spark” for the national Catch the Fire initiative, travelling throughout the province assisting with workshops. Her love of the League was nurtured in a council whose members became very dear and close friends. Leaving this family of women was the hardest part of moving to the Okanagan.

In Kelowna she became diocesan president as well as the co-chair for hosting the CWL National Convention in Kelowna in 2022. Although family will always take priority, the League has proven to be a part of who she is and despite the challenges, the rewards and blessings of serving in this organization surpass it all. Her goal is to get all Catholic women to look past what they think the CWL is and look to the heart and mission of who we really are – “to call its members to grow in faith, and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service.”

She looks forward to continue being an active participant in this exciting period of the League’s growth.

Maria graduated as a registered nurse in 1969, specialising in emergency medicine. For the past 30 years, Maria has worked in mental health as manager and counselor. Her passion is sharing her experience in mental health and gratefully the League has given her a forum. An engagingand humorous speaker, Maria can present complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner. She has given workshops in mental health and addictions at both the parish and diocesan level.

A member of The Catholic Women’s League for 15 years, Maria has held several positions in the Christ Our Saviour parish council including president, organization, and secretary. On the PrinceGeorge diocesan council, Maria held the positions of organization for four years and is now president. She is also one of the members of the League’s strategic plan effective communications working group.Now retired, Maria can pursue her many hobbies, including reading, knitting, tatting, walking, hiking, cruising, and fine dining.

Maria’s goal for the next two years is to travel to all parishes, to get to know her sisters inNorthern B.C. and to unite the Prince George parish councils.