Celebrating 100 years of the League’s work in Leeds and Birmingham

“Oh what a joyous celebration!”, was one of many compliments made at lunch on the day of  theCentenary celebrations.  Mass was celebrated  in the beautiful setting of the Cathedral Church of St. Anne in Leeds. It was a wonderfully uplifting service with Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds Diocese as Principal Celebrant, and Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton Diocese,  Bishop Emeritus David Konstant, two Vicars General  and several priests from across the Diocese concelebrating. The sung Mass was the ‘Mass of Creation’ by Marty Haugen with cantors Irene de Tute, former Chairman of Wakefield CWL Section and Alistair Cheetham, youngest son of the Leeds Branch Secretary. Bishop Arthur extended a warm welcome to the congregation which included National President Doreen Pooley, National Treasurer Margaret Valentine, National Secretary Jean Clarke plus other officers from around the country. He spoke of his gratitude to the members of the League for their contribution to the life of the Diocese and the wider community. Bishop Peter Doyle gave the homily where he expressed his appreciation for the decades of service given by Leeds CWL members to those in need, at home and abroad.

Bishop Arthur Roche with Leeds Branch members, National Officers and CWL members from across the country

Bishop David McGough, Bishop of Birmingham, celebrated the Centenary Mass of Birmingham Branch in the magnificent Pugin Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad.

Olton Section, with members of their parish and members of the Branch, ensured that the rafters resounded with beautiful song, so worthy of the occasion. All Branch Officers, past and present, took an active part in the Mass and, of course, Bishop David McGough in his homily talked not only of the proud history of the League in Birmingham but how parish priests all over the archdiocese value greatly the wonderful work done by the League. The Grimshaw Room, attached to the Cathedral was filled to capacity for the celebratory lunch. Among the displays was one showing the places of spiritual pilgrimage and specific interest to the League, ranging from the graves of Margaret Fletcher and John Henry Newman to the National Memorial Arboretum in Arlewas.

Bishop David McGough with National and Branch Officers on the steps of St Chad’s Cathedral

Origins
The C.W.L. was founded in 1906 by Margaret Fletcher. She was the daughter of an Anglican Clergyman but was received into the Catholic Church in 1897. In a period of struggle for better and equal opportunities for women she looked for members who would support the League’s work at local, diocesan, national and international levels.