All my adult life, I was in search of my calling. I found answers through the transformative leadership course which helped me believe that I am on the right path. After raising two children and living in various places around Western Canada and the world, I find joy in serving my community and in my church here in Port Moody, British Columbia. Whether it’s working with Development and Peace, Caritas Canada on building connections across the 77 parishes in the Archdiocese of Vancouver or with the Laudato Si Circle of Port Moody on their Sue Big Oil initiative or feeding the less fortunate in the Tricities for the last 14 years during the Thanksgiving weekend or doing good work with the Soroptimist International of the Tricities, I believe I am called to serve the community by bringing people together to impact those most vulnerable – those impacted by socioeconomic injustice and climate change. I am also incredibly worried and concerned about the deep polarization in our world today, often wondering what role the Church has in this time of deep polarization?
Jesus invites us to follow the example of the Good Samaritan. He challenges us to “become neighbors to all.” Pope Francis writes in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti - Each day offers us a new opportunity, a new possibility. We should not expect everything from those who govern us, for that would be childish. We have the space we need for co-responsibility in creating and putting into place new processes and changes. Let us take an active part in renewing and supporting our troubled societies. ….Others may continue to view politics or the economy as an arena for their own power plays. For our part, let us foster what is good and place ourselves at its service. (77).
Pope Francis continues in the Joys of Acknowledging Others. All this calls for the ability to recognize other people’s right to be themselves and to be different. This recognition, as it becomes a culture, makes possible the creation of a social covenant. Without it, subtle ways can be found to make others insignificant, irrelevant, of no value to society. While rejecting certain visible forms of violence, another more insidious kind of violence can take root: the violence of those who despise people who are different, especially when their demands in any way compromise their own particular interests. (218)
In Pope Francis’ words, a bigger question emerged. What can we learn from the wisdom of Catholic Social teaching to transform the “us” versus “them“ mentality? As a woman and a leader, what can I do or offer to help heal fierce divides in our society?
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops have given us a framework to respond to these questions through their “Civilize It!” movement, which is being implemented in American schools. It has 3 values that has service of the common good at its centre: charity; clarity and creativity.
Within these three values, I see the feminine genius – our own superpower as Catholic women. We can live out the Gospel and promote it in our own communities. Through the CWL Leadership Program, I found like-minded women who choose to live out the Gospel every day through everyday action. I am incredibly grateful to have met and learned with these powerful and faith filled women through my cohort. I am even more blessed to have built a relationship with them (and other alumni) through this past summer’s Catholic Women’s League ‘s National Convention in Saskatoon.
A life altering event in 2022 convinced me further that time is precious, that I need to hug my family more and keep them close. It was a reminder to practice gratitude every day. Cardinal Michael F. Czerny, SJ shared this stewardship statement through a prayer card during the last Development and Peace Orientation Assembly in Halifax.
STEWARDSHIP STATEMENT
I accept my life, my time, my talents as a gift of God.
I will use and develop these gifts for God’s purposes.
In doing so, I participate in fulfilling Christ’s mission to the world.
I accept all persons as equals and worthy of dignity and respect.
I will give others the opportunity to develop their own talents.
I will encourage each person to use their resources for God’s purposes.
I accept my family as a responsibility and trust from God.
I will encourage each member to develop their full potential.
I accept my power and influence as a trust to be used to help others.
I will seek to prevent the exploitation of any person by others.
I accept the natural resources of this world as a trust from God.
I will become involved and bring Christian values to social issues.
I accept the Church to animate me into a Christ-centered life.
This stewardship statement is a beautiful reminder to live intentionally with joy and gratitude. If I embark on anything It must be “good things” for the common good. It must be done out of love and from a place of compassion. I know now that my calling is to help others and to inspire others to work toward for the common good. I am grateful for the chance to see God again tomorrow.
I would advise women leaders to be kind to yourselves. You can only do so much. Be kind to others. We can see ourselves as members of one family. We can seek to encounter and to grow. We can identify common values. We can listen to understand. We can seek the truth together. We can jointly come up with creative solutions to the problems that face our world.
Yolanda Broderick
CWLF Alumni, 2020 - 2021
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