This year’s four-day conference is themed “Centred on Faith & Justice — Led By The Spirit.” Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Hamilton, the convention will offer representatives of the CWL, which has 54,000 members in 13 dioceses across Ontario, a chance to reflect on the past year, deepen and celebrate their faith and set their goals for the future.

Those goals will consist mainly of this year’s three resolutions, each focused on health. The resolutions, submitted by Ontarian dioceses, aim to provide clean water for First Nations communities, limit sodium use in food and raise awareness of colorectal cancer. These resolutions, once addressed at the provincial level, will — if passed — be submitted to the national CWL, which will gather Aug. 14-17. A final set of resolutions will be chosen at the national convention and set as initiatives for the CWL over the next year.

“We learn, we debate, we talk about issues, but it’s that fellowship that really does make us feel very good and I think a lot of the women would tell you that,” said Shari Guinta, provincial president of the Ontario CWL.

That fellowship will take centre stage to begin the convention, when the representatives gather for Mass, celebrated by the spiritual advisor, Bishop Douglas Crosby of Hamilton.

Daily Mass and workshops will be offered to the women in attendance, including presentations from keynote speakers, including Fr. Rico Passero, a newly ordained priest in the diocese of St. Catharine’s, and motivational speakers Bill and Barb Johnston, who will highlight the importance of communication.

“It’s just a wonderful time for Catholic women. We’re all on the same page, we’re likeminded,” said Guinta, now in her 25th year with CWL. “It’s just a very rewarding, fulfilling experience.

“I get more out of the CWL than I could ever possibly put back into it.”