Executive Profiles
Executive
Colleen Martin
President
Directive: President
Colleen Martin grew up in a small town in northern Ontario, Atikokan, as part of a large family. She attended Carleton University in Ottawa, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting. Returning to the north she settled in Thunder Bay with her best friend Bruce. Married in 1987, their family grew with two children, Tamara and Jarred, two life partners Jeff and Lexy, and two grandsons Noah and Billy.
Colleen has been active in the church her whole life and joined the League in 1992. As Diocesan President, Colleen challenged the 27 councils in the Thunder Bay Diocese to financially support Buy-A-Net for the eradication of malaria, more than $10,000 was raised. Her local council gifted her a Maple Leaf Pin in 2009 and she was commissioned with a Life Member Pin in 2015. As a member of the Ontario Provincial Council, Colleen is humbled by opportunities to lead the roles of spiritual development, Christian family life, and resolutions. She was also elected as Treasurer, 1st Vice-President, and President-Elect.
Installed provincial president in July 2024, Colleen adopted the theme Rejoice in the Lord Always!, the bible verse Phillipians 4:4, and her symbol, the sunflower. Like the sunflower is drawn to the sun for light, Colleen is hopeful members will be drawn to the Son, the ultimate source of light, as together we live the joy of the gospel.
Most Reverend Bishop Thomas Dowd
Spiritual Advisor
Motto: “Cor Et Anima Una”
Thomas Dowd was born in Montreal on September 11, 1970, and ordained a priest on December 7, 2001.
Following his theological studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal, he did pastoral work in numerous parishes in the Archdiocese of Montreal. He also served as a hospital chaplain and taught theology at Concordia University, McGill University and the Grand Seminary of Montreal. He served the Archdiocese of Montreal as Associate Director of the Office for Pastoral Personnel and later as Director of Formation.
On July 11, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI named Fr. Dowd as auxiliary bishop of Montreal. He served as Episcopal Vicar to the English-speaking faithful and later as Vicar General for Economic and Administrative affairs. He obtained his licentiate in Canon Law in 2018 from the University of Strasbourg. On October 22, 2020, Pope Francis named him the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, and was installed at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, in North Bay, on December 17, 2020.
Follow him on social media: http://thomasdowd.ca/social-media
Linda Squarzolo
Past President
Directive: Historian
Linda was born in Timmins and raised in the town of Schumacher. After graduating from North Bay Teacher’s College she moved to Sudbury. She taught several grades and special education in the Catholic schools over her 28-year career. While teaching she earned a B. A. from Laurentian University, a B. Ed. From Nipissing University and two educational specialist certificates. She married Tullio in 1970 and they have two sons, a daughter and eleven wonderful grandchildren.
Linda joined the League in 1975 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish and served on the executive in various roles. She was awarded the Maple Leaf Service Pin in 2007. She was appointed to the Sault Ste. Marie Diocesan Council in 2002 to chair the resolutions and legislation standing committees. She later held the positions of regional chair, recording secretary and chaired the standing committees of organization, spiritual development and historian. While on the diocesan council, she worked on four resolutions, one of which was approved at a national convention. She served as diocesan president from 2011 – 2013. She has developed and presented several leadership workshops. Linda is the archivist for the Sault Ste. Marie Diocesan Council.
On the provincial council, Linda has chaired several standing committees and served as provincial president 2022 – 2024. Her greatest thrill was being part of delegations from the Ontario Provincial Council to visit Queen’s Park and personally express the League concerns to members of the legislature. She also worked on the Restructuring Working Group, part of the national strategic planning.
Linda is a breast cancer survivor for over 25 years. Her favourite pastimes are reading, knitting, embroidery, travelling, spending time with her grandchildren and doing League work.
Linda was awarded a Life Membership on a Lucky Friday the 13th in 2016. She is a member of Holy Redeemer Parish in Sudbury. Her current role is the past president of the Ontario Provincial Council.
Karen McDonald
Vice President
Directive: Vice President
Karen is a single gal who was born and raised and lives in Sudbury. She obtained a B.A. (Hons) degree in Law & Justice from Laurentian University and has worked as a legal assistant since 1990, the year she joined the CWL.
Karen is an avid sports fan, enjoys gardening and being outdoors, cherishes time spent with friends, and loves a challenge. Karen credits her grandmother and mother for her faith and love of the League.
In 2002, Karen was president-elect of her council when it amalgamated with a ladies auxiliary to form Our Lady of Hope Council of which she is a proud member. Karen was honoured to receive the Maple Leaf Service Pin from her council in 2015 and to receive her Life Membership in 2020.
Active in her parish, one of her greatest pleasures is singing alto in the choir. Karen co-chaired the 86th diocesan convention in 2006 and was appointed to the Sault Ste. Marie Diocesan Council that year. At the diocesan level, Karen chaired the spiritual development, resolutions and organization standing committees, and served as treasurer, regional chairperson, president and past president.
Karen presented League workshops including Leadership and Public Speaking, Knowing the League, and Catch the Fire! Elected to the Ontario Provincial Council in 2017, she has chaired the legislation, education/health, and community life standing committees, truth & reconciliation working group, 77th provincial convention, and now looks forward to serving as Vice-President.
Karen enjoys personal interaction with members, being a mentor, and feels blessed to serve through her League involvement.
Lisa Fillingham
Treasurer
Directive: Treasurer
Lisa lives in St.Catharines with her husband Geoff and has two daughters, Kendra (Matthew) and Laura (Keveshan). Soon after being married, Lisa and Geoff moved and she became a member of Star of the Sea Parish.
After much encouragement from her friend, Wilma Vanderzwaag, Lisa joined the CWL 16 years ago. Starting as a prayerful member, she finally attended her first meeting and never looked back. She took on the role of Health and Education Chair and has continually served the parish and diocesan levels with various chairs and roles. She has also belonged to many parish ministries.
Lisa has grown spiritually through different CWL opportunities. A member of various working groups to support the implementation of the national strategic plan on the Marketing Working Group, Communications Working Group the ad-hoc website committee as well as graduating from the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation Program and later serving on their Board of Directors have strengthened Lisa with a deeper faith and love of the league.
As well as being past diocesan president, Lisa is co-convener of the Diocesan 2025 AMM.
Lisa is truly humbled by her new position on the Ontario Provincial Council. She prays that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide her now and in the future.
Lisa Henry
Secretary
Directive: Secretary
Lisa was born in North Bay and is retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Aerospace Control Operator.
Lisa had always been involved in her parish as a Youth Minister, as well as Lector and Usher ministries and decided one day, 16 years ago, it was time to join the CWL, a group her sister-in-laws were a part of. Coming out of church one day, she saw a dear friend she hadn’t seen in years, who was selling raffle tickets for their CWL bazaar. She chatted with her for a bit and then was invited to help sell tickets and the rest was history. One person’s warm, welcoming invitation was all it took to be bitten by the CWL bug. From there, she was invited to sit on her home council executive at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, North Bay and currently serves on the Diocesan Executive as Past President and cherishes the service and sisterhood the CWL offers. It is an immense gift.
She is inspired by the many opporutnities for growth and leadership in the CWL and was honoured to chair a diocesan convention, assist in developing and facilitating a public speaking workshop and accpeting the role of vice-chair with the Implementation Committee for the National Strategic Plan. She found the rewards of collaborating with so many CWL sisters on a variety of working groups from across the country to be an immense blessing and gift.
She is married to the love of her life, Arthur and loves cooking, travelling, but most of all, spending time with her CWL sisters, friends and family.
Wilma Vanderzwaag
Administrative Assistant
Directive: Administrative Assistant
Wilma was born and raised in St. Catharines. She is married to Robert, and they have two children and two grandchildren. Wilma joined the League in 1987. She served at her parish council as Education & Health, Communications, President-Elect/Organization and President. She received the Maple Leaf Service Pin in 2011. She became a member of the Diocesan Council in 2002. While on the Diocesan Council she chaired the standing committees of Spiritual Development, Health &
Education, Resolutions, Organization/President-Elect and became President in 2012. Wilma has been on the Provincial Council since 2015 and has chaired Community Life, Education and Health, Resolutions and Spiritual Development. Serving on the Provincial Council is an honour and a wonderful opportunity to get to know members across the province. She became a Life Member in 2016. She has developed and presented several leadership workshops for the Diocese and a Resolutions workshop for the Provincial Council in 2020. Wilma was a co-leader for training and presenting Catch the Fire. A lifelong parishioner of Star of the Sea, she serves currently with 2 other
CWL members publishing a monthly newsletter for parishioners. In 2001, she completed the Diploma in Ministry program from St. Francis Xavier University. Her joys are her family, reading, travelling, and spending time with her sisters in the League.
Claudette Langdon
Provincial Chairperson of Faith
Directive: Faith
Claudette was born and raised in Ottawa, the eldest of four siblings. She met her husband Mike while they were in high school, and they have been married for 43 years. Family is important to both Claudette and Mike. They are blessed with two adult children and four sweet grandchildren.
Claudette worked in the Federal Government in a variety of management positions leading multi-disciplined teams on projects and responsibilities for 36 years. She and her husband are now happily retired.
She is an active member in her parish serving in various ministries: the Liturgy Committee, Sacramental Team and Sacristan team. Being an Extraordinary Minister of Communion fills her with joy and spirituality.
Claudette joined the League in 2011, being a member has enriched her faith. She loves collaborating with her League Sisters.
At the Parish Level she served on various standing committees: Legislation/Resolution, President Elect/Organization, President and Past President. Being awarded the Maple Leaf Pin was a great honour.
At the Diocesan Level Claudette served on: Legislation/Resolutions Chair, President Elec/Organization Chair, President and Past President.
Claudette is excited about the future of the League and worked on various committee teams for the Plans Strategically.
In her leisure Claudette likes to read, fish, quilt and garden. She considers it a gift to spend time with family and friends.
Claudette considers it a blessing to serve as the Faith Chairperson.
Sue Lubowitz
Provincial Chairperson of Service
Directive: Service
Sue grew up in the small Northern Ontario community of Foleyet and attended the French high school in Timmins and received her BA Honours from the University of Toronto.
Sue and her husband John started their married life in Moosonee where John was an elementary teacher and where they lived for 7 years. They then moved to Newmarket (Toronto Diocese) and have been parishioners at St. John Chrysostom Parish since 1988. They will celebrate 43 years of marriage in 2024, have raised four children and are now enjoying their two grandchildren.
Sue’s journey in the CWL began in 2006 with a personal invitation from a member at her local council to help with a presentation to the local town council on a proposed water aquifer by-law. At the parish level, she held the positions of community life, resolutions, legislation and president. Her council has presented resolutions to provincial and national council and one of those resolutions is still active at the national level.
In 2013, after election to the diocesan council, Sue served as Christian Family Life chair. Other positions held at the diocesan level were Resolutions, Education and Health and President-Elect/Organization. Serving as Organization Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges but the use of technology provided an opportunity to reach more parish councils more often by using the new monthly virtual CWL Wednesdays which helped to keep councils engaged in the work of the League.
While diocesan resolutions chair, Sue also served as sub-committee chair for the provincial legislation chair and helped work on the “Legislation Scavenger Hunt”. As diocesan president-elect/organization chair Sue participated in the Year One Working Group (Reorganization) for the implementation of the Strategic Plan which resulted in the new structure of the League.
As Toronto Diocesan President, Sue and her executive helped councils lead though the committee chair changes as councils adjusted to the new format of the League.
She is looking forward to her continued service to God and Canada and hopes that this two year term will help members to realize that their work in service is valued and responds to the League Prayer words “ teach us to share with others at home and abroad”.
Hilarion Mitchell
Provincial Chairperson of Social Justice
Directive: Social Justice
Hilarion is thrilled to be serving on the Ontario Provincial Council 2024-2026 Executive as the first Social Justice Chair under the new League reduced executive structure. She previously served as OPC Education and Health Chair 2022-2024.
Hilarion is from the Toronto Diocese and received her Life Member designation in April 2024. She served a 3-year term 2019-2022 as Diocesan President during the historic 100th anniversaries for national (2020) and the Toronto Diocesan Council (2021). The term was transformative with the evolving COVID-19 pandemic which required the ability to adapt using virtual and livestreaming to engage members when in-person gatherings were not possible.
At the diocesan level, she also served as Past President/Historian, President-Elect/Organization, 2nd VP/Spiritual Development, 1st VP/Resolutions, Legislation, Christian Family Life, Peel Regional Chair, various committees and relaunched the Leadership & Public Speaking Course (2017). Hilarion was the national CWL Catch the Fire Spark for Ontario (2012-2014) and member of the Strategic Plan Working Group Embrace Diverse Cultures and Ages (2020-2021). Hilarion received her Maple Leaf Service Pin in 2009. Hilarion joined St. John Fisher CWL Council in Brampton in 1998 on her mother’s advice who was not a member at the time. She credits the League for the influence in raising her family, Catholic values, professional life and the importance of volunteerism. Hilarion is a lector at her parish.
Hilarion is married to Glen for 29 years and they have three sons and a beautiful granddaughter. She is a Registered Dietitian and promotes healthy eating throughout the lifespan. She likes to cycle and take long walks. She grew up listening to Desiderata and maintains that “God is in Control”. Hilarion strongly believes that the CWL is an excellent organization for Catholic women.
Diocesan Presidents
Teresa DiFalco
Hamilton Diocesan President
Teresa lives in Stoney Creek, is married to her childhood sweetheart Cal, a Fourth Degree Knight, and has a daughter, Amanda, a son-in-law, Steve, and a granddaughter, Vanessa. Teresa and Amanda recently battled breast cancer 7-months apart and are breast cancer warriors.
A member of the League for over 40 years, Teresa and her family represent five generations in the League. She has served in numerous roles at both the Diocesan and Parish levels and humbly received her Maple Leaf Service Pin. Teresa has developed and delivered various presentations, training/workshops, retreats on servant leadership, governance, women’s role in the Catholic Church, and spiritual enrichment.
Teresa serves on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation, and is a graduate of the Catholic Women’s Leadership Program at the Institute of Transformative Leadership Saint Paul University. Teresa holds designations in Catholic Theology, Church Liturgy and is studying Church Doctrine. Her church ministry experience includes: Director for Music and Liturgy, Extraordinary Minister of Communion, Cantor/Psalmist, and Lector.
Known for her resilience and joyful servant leadership style, Teresa empowers women and advocates for the betterment for God’s creation by defending human rights, Christian morals, social and environmental justice, and championing breast cancer awareness. Teresa was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and received the Sesquicentennial Constituent Award from the House of Commons for community service. Her courage and commitment has been influential as a respected civic leader in addressing issues and influencing positive change.
Teresa finds peace in her faith, studies, and cherishes family and friends. She enjoys gardening, designing, entertaining, traveling and music. She is a singer and published songwriter. Professionally, Teresa had a long career in public service as a Senior Executive with the Ontario Government at Queen’s Park, specializing in law, policy, issues management, and strategic planning. She currently works as a Governance Specialist, Strategist, Government Relations Professional and Keynote Speaker. Guided by 1 Peter 4:10, Teresa believes in using her gifts to serve others.
Maureen Vincentine
Kingston Diocesan President
Maureen Vincentine and her husband Brian, are proud parents of two children and are blessed with five wonderful grandchildren. They live In Foxboro, just outside Belleville. Maureen taught Math and Religion for the local Catholic schoolboard until she retired in 2002.
Maureen has been an active member of the Catholic Women’s League since 1984. She has served in many executive roles at the parish level, including president for a number of terms. She came onto the Kingston diocesan council as chair of Education and Health in 2013. Since then, she has served on the diocesan council as chair of Organization/president–elect, president and past president of Kingston Diocesan council. Presently Maureen is serving as president for the 2024 – 2026 term.
In her parish, Maureen is a coordinator of the bereavement committee. She helps in the preparation of candidates for First Communion and Confirmation. She also appreciates the experience of sharing her faith as coordinator for the RCIA program.
Maureen is a member of the diocesan Development and Peace committee.
She is happy to continue to be involved with the Catholic Women’s League in the diocese of Kingston.
Nancy Bouvier
Hearst-Moosonee Diocesan President
Born and raised in Brower, Ontario which is a small rural village near Cochrane, Ontario.
Nancy and her husband Norm will celebrate 45 years of marriage this September.
Nancy and Norm have a daughter and son who have blessed them with 5 Grandchildren ages 9-17 and the family loves to spend quality time together on camp outs and sharing family meals together.
Nancy was a convert from the Anglican faith when she married into the French-Canadian Bouvier clan. This has given her more drive to be an active member in her home parish of The Transfiguration. She serves her parish as lector, eucharistic minister, Parish Pastoral council member, baptismal preparation helper and fund-raising aid. Nancy & Norm were also a Marriage Preparation Lead Couple for 25 years.
Nancy’s CWL journey started 21 years ago as she became an “empty nester” and needed to fill her time. From the get-go she started as recording secretary for her Parish Council (Our Lady of Fatima), treasurer, president and eventually became involved at the Diocesan level as treasurer, education & health, recording secretary, president-elect and got to where she is today as president in May 2023.
Nancy retired nine years ago after working for 35 years with the Ontario Public Service in various capacities. She loves to cross country ski and snowmobile in the winter months and garden and go camping in the summer. An interesting trivia fact about Nancy is that she was a stock car driver in the 1980’s and so she is ready to tackle the challenges and bumps along the road as a new Diocesan President.
Mary Bannon
London Diocesan President
Mary was born in Stratford, the oldest of 4 children born within a span of 4 years. Her father died when she was 12, leaving her mother, a woman she admires for her courage and strength to find a job to support her family.
Mary attended Teacher’s College, and, while teaching, received her B.A. in English from Western University in London. She taught for 33 years in Huron-Perth and has been retired now for 22 years.
She has been a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Women’s League for a little over 50 years, having served as president there on two separate occasions. On the London diocesan council she has served as Spiritual Development chair, Recording Secretary, Resolutions chair, Education and Health chair and Organization chair. She has co-chaired the diocesan convention twice and the OPC Convention in 2016.
Mary continues to serve as a team member of the RCIA for the Avon-Thames Catholic Family of Parishes. She is a Lector in her parish.
She looks forward to serving as President of London Diocesan CWL.
Deedee Alexandre
St Catharines Diocesan President
Deedee was born and raised in Niagara Falls. She received her sacraments from Our Lady of the Scapular and graduated from A.N. Myer Secondary School. She then attended and graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Honours B.A. in History. Deedee then received her Bachelor of Education degree from Brock University. She had a career as a secondary school history teacher.
Once she retired from teaching, she discovered a new-found artistic talent and pastime: painting with acrylic art and taking photos on her travels. She was President of the St. Catharines Art Association in 2016-2017; in 2017-2018, she was also a Board member at the Niagara Pumphouse Art Gallery in Niagara-on-the-Lake; and in 2018, she and a friend co-founded the Visual Artists of Welland organization and is currently the co-President.
Also after retirement, in November 2021, she took her Definitive Promise with the OCDS Carmelites in Hamilton; Deedee is now a full-fledged lay Third Order Carmelite. In June 2023, Deedee became President of the St. Catharines Serra Club.
Deedee was able to become more active in the Catholic Women’s League after her retirement. Holding a few chair positions at St. Alexander Church, she was Parish President at St. Alexander Church between 2016-2018. Deedee then joined the St. Catharines Diocese, initially as Chair of Education and Health and then Faith Chair. She became Diocesan President in April 2024.
In her spare time, Deedee enjoys travelling, gardening, going to the theatre, organizing on-line book studies, and spending time with family and friends. Deedee lives in Welland and attends St. Alexander Church where she is a Hospitality and Eucharistic minister.
Melina Nobert
Ottawa-Cornwall Diocesan President
Melina was born in Ottawa, but her family moved 9 times before she started high school – from Ottawa to the Toronto area, to Timmins, back to Ottawa, and finally settling in Russell. For her Confirmation, Melina was gifted with a book on St. Elizabeth of the 3 Crowns, which sparked her love for adoration. Adoration grew her love for mass and for the rosary, and she has a great love for both Jesus and Mary, and for sharing her faith.
Todd and Melina were married in 1991, and have only lived in 3 homes. They settled in Finch in 1992, where they have successfully raised and homeschooled 11 children. They now boast of 7 grandchildren. Their kids have scattered to Ottawa, Toronto, Smiths Falls, even New Brunswick, with one heading off to school in London in the Fall. Melina did work as a clerk for the City of Ottawa until the birth of their oldest. They are blessed to live in their parish’s former rectory. Can’t get much closer to Church than that!
Annette Chaplin
Pembroke Diocesan President
Annette was born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario. She has a Bachelor of Science from University of Waterloo and is retired from Chalk River Nuclear Labs in the beautiful Ottawa Valley. She has been a member of the CWL for 6 years, 5 of those as a parish president. She loves the CWL, and all things Catholic. She enjoys playing Bach on the piano, and spends as much time as she can hiking, cross country skiing and stand-up paddleboarding. She is involved in the music ministry at mass in Deep River. She has been married to Ken for 41 years and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren which keep her happily playing.
Maria Fitzgerald
Peterborough Diocesan President
Maria, her parent and younger brother Gio (Fr. Gio Battaglini), sailed from Italy/England to Canada in 1952. Brother Kevin was born in Canada. She was extremely shy as throughout her youth. After travelling in Canada, the U.S., Great Britain, meeting royalty, many dignitaries and radio/TV interviews and speaking engagements as the Ontario Dairy Princess in 1967-68, she overcame her shyness and thanks God for this opportunity which opened up a lifetime of excitement and the outgoing personality she enjoys today.
She began her teaching career in Sept. 1968 and married her Teacher’s College sweetheart, Brian, in 1973. They taught in Peterborough for 33 years and retired in 1999. They have two sons – Kevin, a Secondary School teacher and Garrett, a Sports Product Analyst, daughters in law Lauren and Kim, and four grandchildren who all live in the Peterborough area.
While known as a vocalist, the piano is Maria’s principal instrument. Both were an asset during her 24 years as the Music Consultant for the School Board. She was assistant conductor and principal cantor of the St Peter in Chains Cathedral Choir for 27 years. She continues as cantor and choir member.
Maria joined the CWL in 1983, became the Cathedral CWL President in 1995, was appointed Diocesan Secretary 2016, and became Diocesan President 2023.
In 2008, Bishop DeAngeles asked Maria to direct the implementation of the “Rosary Apostolate in the Schools” program. Before Covid, 20 schools with 96 volunteers, were involved. The program will be return Oct. 2024.
Maria has a passion for sewing, tatting, crocheting, gardening, and distributing the Eucharist to shut–ins.
Maria views her life as a response to her Patron Saint’s fiat: “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will”
Patricia Clizia
Sault Ste Marie Diocesan President
Patricia married Paolo 38 years ago, embarking on the greatest adventure of her life. They ‘grew up’ together with their two daughters, Andrea and Natalie who have spread their wings to fly far from their hometown of Sudbury, Ontario.
Andrea and her husband Tim live in Edmonton, with sons Carter (5) and William (2). Natalie and her fiancé Donal (an Irish Lad) will be married in Ireland in 2025.
Patricia and Paolo enjoy travelling to Edmonton – Alberta and Dublin Ireland to visit with their girls in the cities they now call home.
Patricia joined the League more than 18 years ago, at the invitation of a friend, and was elected Recording Secretary soon after, serving a total of 10 years as a member of the parish executive. She convened the 92 nd annual Diocesan Convention, and was publicity chairperson for the 95 th annual convention.
Patricia went on to serve on the Diocesan executive as an appointed Sudbury Regional Chairperson, and then in the roles of Communications Chairperson, 1 st Vice President/Spiritual Development Chairperson, President Elect/Organization Chairperson.
Patricia developed and delivered several workshops and presentations across the diocese including: Let’s get social, on social media, Mary’s Yes – An Advent reflection, KISS (Keep it Simple Sisters), Welcoming and Sharing Gifts.
She was installed in 2024 as the Diocesan President at the 104 th annual diocesan convention.
While enjoying a fulfilling career that has spanned more than 35 years, Patricia is actively involved in community and parish life and has served on sacramental preparation teams, as a Eucharistic minister, as a member of Ann’s choir and on the parish social committee. Patricia is a 5 year Associate with the Sisters of St. Joseph, and considers the call to service a blessing in her life.
In women’s ministry, Patricia has encountered many angels, wearing the disguise of ordinary people living normal everyday lives.
Cathy Carlino
Thunder Bay Diocesan President
Cathy Carlino lives in a small community in Northwestern Ontario. She has been married for 43 years to Luciano and together they have one son, Sam, and three daughters, Rosa, Daniela, and Antonella. Sam is married to Yvonne and together they have 2 children, Everly and Luther. The latest addition to the Carlino family is Antonella’s fiancée David.
Cathy was a stay-at-home mom while her children were home and in 2018 took on a job as the Senior Active Living Centre Coordinator. She is passionate about helping seniors and improving the quality of their lives thus this job was a good fit.
Cathy joined the CWL in 1995 and was the first woman in her family to do so. During her time as a CWL sister, she has held all positions on a parish level, including several terms as the parish president. In 2019, she joined the Thunder Bay Diocesan Executive where she held the Spiritual, Organization, and Communication Chair positions. This year when she was installed as president of the diocese, all her family attended. Cathy is very proud of her daughters who have all joined the CWL as soon as they could. They have attended many CWL events including the annual diocesan conventions. Her family’s support, particularly her husband, allows her to stay as active in the league as she has been.
Some recognition Cathy has received has been the CWL Maple Leaf Pin, and just recently Schreiber Citizen of Year for 2023.
Audrey Shelton
Timmins Diocesan President
Audrey was born and raised in the Woodstock area. She and Russell were married in 1981. After four years of living in Saskatchewan they moved back to the Woodstock area where they dairy farmed until 2000. They have two daughters and a son.
In 2000, they moved to New Liskeard where they had a woodworking shop and made canoe paddles and yokes. They retired from that business in 2023.
Audrey has worked as a Personal Support Worker for 10 years, worked from home supporting the carpentry business and is now the Activity Coordinator for the local Retirement Home. She loves to bring joy to the seniors she works with.
Audrey’s mother enrolled her in the CWL when she was 16. She has served her parish councils as Spiritual Development, Communications and Organization Chairs, secretary and treasurer. She has been the Parish Council President three terms. At the diocesan level she has chaired the standing committees of Christian Family Life and Organization. She was the Timmins Diocesan president from 2016 – 2019 and is happy to be back in that role. For the 2022- 2024 Provincial term, she has been a member of the subcommittee of the OPC Christian Family Life Standing Committee.
Audrey was awarded the Maple Leaf pin in 2015 and the Life Membership title at the Timmins Diocesan convention in May 2024.
Audrey loves to garden, canoe, bird watch, and spend time with her five grandchildren. She works towards making the world a better place through involvement in her community and the Catholic Women’s League.
Kate O'Quinn
Toronto Diocesan President
Kate’s love for the Catholic Women’s League began at a very early age, under the influence of her mother, who was most devoted to the League and our Mother Mary. She became a member of the CWL at the age of 16 (a Birthday gift from her mother!) In September of 2001, Kate became an active executive member at St. Joseph the Worker Parish Council in Oshawa, (Durham Region) as Education Committee Chair, 1st Vice-President and President-Elect, before becoming President for the 2012 – 2014 term. She is very blessed to be working with such amazing, dedicated, faith-filled women in her Parish Council!
Kate keeps active in her Parish CWL helping to organize many events. Kate served two years as Durham Regional Chair and at the Diocesan level she was Legislation Chair for two years, Spiritual Development Chair for three years and President-Elect/Organization Chair for two years. During this time, Kate was also a member of the Ontario Provincial Convention Planning Committee (2018) and is currently a member of the National Convention (2025) Planning Committee. Kate is looking forward to serving her sisters in the League as Toronto Diocesan President.
Kate is very active in her parish. She was a member of the Parish Council and was also involved with the Children’s Liturgy. She currently organizes the Music Ministry. After twelve years, Kate has retired from the Board of Directors for Catholic Family Services of Durham.
Kate is a retired Catholic school principal who spent 30 years in her teaching vocation with the Durham Catholic District School Board. During this time, Kate completed her Masters in Religious Education. Kate and her husband Manny have two wonderful boys and daughter-in-law, and one amazing grandson.