The role of the Diocesan Spiritual Advisor:

1. The spiritual advisor, in cooperation with the chairperson of faith, shall provide advice and guidance for the spiritual program.
2. The spiritual advisor shall receive due notice of all executive and council meetings and annual meetings of members/conventions and shall attend and participate in all such meetings, when possible, in an advisory capacity.

FATHER RAMESH CHRISTY

 Rev. Fr. Ramesh Christy was born on June 2, 1974. He pursued his priestly formation through philosophical studies in India from 1993 to 1996 and theological studies at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from 1997 to 2002. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 1, 2002

Fr. Ramesh has dedicated his priestly life to the proclamation of the Gospel and the service of God’s people. His greatest passion is preaching and helping people encounter God’s love, mercy, and hope in their daily lives. Through his ministry, he strives to inspire, encourage, and strengthen faith in those he serves.

In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Fr. Ramesh has a deep interest in the arts and communications. He enjoys painting and is actively involved in digital evangelization through his YouTube channel, which bears his name. He also produces devotional music albums and faith-based content designed to inspire prayer, hope, and a deeper relationship with God.

His favorite saints are Saint Anthony and Saint Anne, whose examples of faith, devotion, and service continue to inspire his spiritual life and ministry. Known for his positive outlook and uplifting message, Fr. Ramesh often encourages others with his favorite motto: “All is well”

Through preaching, music, media outreach, and pastoral care, Fr. Ramesh seeks to bring the joy of the Gospel to all people. He continues to serve the Church with gratitude and dedication, helping others discover God’s presence in their lives and trust in His loving providence.

The President shall:

• inform the membership of the League’s position on current issues, priorities and programs
• foster open communication with the members and with the spiritual advisor on all League matters
• preside at all council meetings and conventions
• be a signing officer for all official documents
• provide active leadership
• initiate policy, in consultation with the officers of the council concerned
• keep fully informed on the operation of the League
• report annually to the membership
• be an advisory member of all committees except the nominations and elections committee
• be the official spokesperson for her council
• perform such other duties as may be incumbent upon the office
• appoint committees
• read and be familiar with the National Manual of Policy and Procedure and the Constitution & Bylaws
• be responsible for reporting activities to the next level
• be familiar with the responsibilities of the other positions
• work closely with the council executive to ensure that all responsibilities are met

KATHLEEN NIRO

Kathleen Niro was born in Woodstock, Ontario, and raised in Sudbury. After college, she moved to Toronto, where she deepened her relationship with Tony, her husband of 37 years. They have two adult children.

In Toronto, Kathleen began her conversion to Catholicism, marking the start of her Catholic faith journey.

She completed St. Francis Xavier University’s Diploma in Ministry program, earned certificates in Spirituality and in Liturgy, and completed the Lay Apostolate program and Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.

Kathleen was gifted a membership in the CWL in 2002 and received a Certificate of Merit in 2003 for leadership with the women’s groups through the merged parish, Our Lady of Hope. She served as Sudbury Region Recording Secretary and held several parish council roles, including Spiritual Development, Communications, First Vice President, President, and Past President. She organized a “Women of the Bible” retreat, served convening the parish tea, publishing the newsletter, and leading a parish resolution sub-committee, for which she received the Maple Leaf Service Pin. At the diocesan level, she served in Christian Family Life, Community Life, Sudbury Regional Chair, convention liturgy chairperson, resolution dialogue lead, and at the provincial level the 2022–2024 Provincial Community Life sub-committee on human trafficking and newsletter submissions. She made a presentation on the Sashbear Foundation at the Ontario Provincial Convention in 2024.

As Vice President, Kathleen responded to the R3 to Unity outreach of the previous term by collaborating with the regional chairs and developed Regional Development Days – The League 411. She presented workshops across all three regions. She also contributed to diocesan policy and procedure updates and provincial communications resources sub-committees.

In parish life, Kathleen has led Liturgy of the Word for Children for over 30 years, served on sacrament teams, helped organize children’s choir and seasonal liturgies, coordinated a winter fun day, serves as lector, and sacristan with her husband. She dedicates time to volunteer at St. Francis school, connecting church and school.

She also volunteered at the Diocesan Youth Office, for NET Ministries, and the 2006 Ontario Liturgical Conference Summer Music School planning committee.

Since 2018, Kathleen has volunteered with the Sashbear Family Connections Foundation, facilitating sessions, teaching skills, supporting webinars, and assisting with letter writing. She has been recognized for more than five years of service and received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award.

Kathleen continues to care for family, work full time, play soccer, and sing with the Sudbury Chamber Singers. She knows she is blessed.

The Vice President shall:

• perform the duties of the president in her absence or inability to serve
• recruit members and maintain membership
• be responsible for League development and leadership training
• develop League resource material
• ensure that annual reports are completed
• oversee life membership

DEBORAH HICKEY

Deborah Hickey and her husband live in the log home they built in Corbeil.  She is a member of St Alphonsus Liguori Parish in Callander and is an active member her CWL Parish Council.

Since joining the CWL Council at St Alphonsus Liguori, Deborah has served as Community Life Chair, Resolutions and Legislation Chair, Communications Chair, a three-year term as President, two-year term as Past President, two years as Treasurer.  In 2017 Deborah served as the Convention Coordinator for the SSM Diocesan Convention hosted in North Bay.  Deborah has served as the North Bay Regional Chair on the SSM Diocesan Executive for the five years, two terms as Diocesan Treasurer and is currently serving as Diocesan Vice-President.

Since retiring from her full-time career, Deborah feels truly blessed to be able to devoting her time to her passions, her stained-glass studio, and her volunteer work.  As always, her priority is spending time with her husband, their four children and their spouses and her five grandchildren.  When not working in her studio, Deborah can be found volunteering at the Callander and District Food Bank; as a member and  the National Treasurer for the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group.  Deborah is also a proud member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada serving with her sisters in Christ, through faith, fellowship and service.  Deborah also enjoys reading, sewing, knitting/crocheting, and walking through the bush with her “fur baby”.

The treasurer shall:

1. Maintain the financial records of the council concerned and have them appropriately audited or examined annually.
2. Receive all League monies and pay all accounts as authorized.
3. Present a report of revenues and expenditures at meetings.

MARCELLE BEAULIEU

Marcelle Beaulieu has been a member of the CWL Council of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in North Bay since 2004.  During this time, she has served on a variety of committees including three terms as president.  On December 16, 2020, she was presented with the Maple Leaf Service Pin acknowledging her exceptional service to the League.  She has served one term as Spiritual Chairperson on the Diocesan Council.  She took on the role of recording secretary for the SSM 105^th Diocesan Convention while assuming the role of registration chairperson.

Marcelle is very active in her parish of St. Peter the Apostle.  She is a reader as well as a Minister of the Eucharist.  She sits on the Parish Pastoral Council, the Liturgy Committee and the Social Committee.  She serves at Catholic Charities as second in command for her parish.  She makes it her mission to visit homebound members especially those in nursing care facilities.  She is an Associate with the Sisters of St. Joseph and strongly believes in their charism (The Good Neighbour).  She has been a member of the Compassionate Committee for the Homeless since its inception.

Marcelle was widowed in June of 2023.  She is the mother to three grown children, Michel, Monique and Nicole.  She has four wonderful grandchildren as well as three adorable grand-cats.  Marcelle loves to garden and to travel.  This year she is going on a cruise to the British Isles.

Marcelle worked for 30 years in banking and hopes that her knowledge of banking procedures will be instrumental is assisting her as Treasurer for the Diocesan Council.

The Secretary shall:

1. Attend all executive and general meetings of the council.
2. Assist the president in preparing the agenda for executive and general meetings.
3. Distribute individual copies of the agenda.
4. Call the roll or have members sign a list of attendance at meetings.
5. Take the minutes of meetings, record motions and retain minutes as a permanent record.
6. Bring the minute book containing past minutes to meetings for reference purposes.
7. Keep motion book up-to-date and bring to meetings.
8. Distribute copies of the minutes of the previous meeting prior to the meeting or prepare to read the minutes at the meeting.
9. Report on the executive meeting at the general meeting, if the president so requests.
10. Report correspondence received and/or sent.
11. Send all occasion cards as requested by the president.
12. Be a signing officer for official documents.
13. Be responsible for receiving reports from the executive.
14. Be responsible for all council papers and records; know where council archives, including the council charter, are located.
15. Maintain an up-to-date Elections Register.
16. Ensure that the list of the newly elected executive is forwarded immediately following the annual meeting of
members/convention:
- parish level forward list to diocesan level
- diocesan level forward list to parish, provincial and national levels
17. Provide the credentials for delegates to annual meeting of members/convention.
18. Assume the role of communications or assign a subcommittee

CHRISTINE OSBORNE

Christine was born in North Bay and has lived there all her life. With her husband, Kevin, they are blessed with two daughters, Jacklynn and Becca, and a six‑year‑old granddaughter, Ember, who is the joy of her life. She worked as an Administrative Assistant for Carlson Sports, supporting daily operations, communications, scheduling, and administrative needs, until she took an early retirement in 2013.

Christine has been a CWL member at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in North Bay for over twenty years, first encouraged by her mother—a devoted member who lovingly paid for her early memberships. She now has the joy of doing the same for her daughters. Over the years, she has served in several roles, including 1^st Vice President/Organization, a convener in our Bazaar, Parish President and North Bay Regional Secretary, and continues to serve as a Sacristan and Lector in her Parish. She can often be seen at the 9:00 a.m. Mass with her granddaughter for Children’s Liturgy.

Being able to serve on the Diocesan Council is an honour and privilege. Christine is looking forward to getting to know the members of the diocese. She enjoys scrapbooking, camping and spending quality time with family, friends and her Sisters in the League.

The past president shall:

1. serve her council and president in a consultative capacity
2. be responsible for the archives and history of her council.
3. facilitate and encourage the study and implementation of the Constitution & Bylaws.
4. forward to national office any proposed revisions to the National Manual of Policy and Procedure by December 1st of each year.
5. be aware that updated pages to the National Manual of Policy and Procedure are forwarded annually to presidents at all levels
6. be prepared to assist the council in developing a parish council manual of policy and procedure if it does not have one or reviewing it annually if it does have one.
7. submit an annual report.

PATRICIA CLIZIA

Patricia began her journey in the League 20 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.  She was publicity chairperson for the 95^th annual diocesan convention, and the 77^th annual Ontario provincial convention.

Patricia went on to serve on the Sault Ste. Marie 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, and was installed as Diocesan President in April 2024 and a member of the Ontario Provincial Council. She is currently serving as past president on the Diocesan Council, and a co-lead on an Ontario sub-committee for the ONESITE website.

Patricia developed and delivered several workshops and presentations across the diocese including: Let’s get social, embracing the use of social media in the League, Mary’s Yes – An Advent reflection, KISS (Keep it Simple Sisters), Welcoming and Sharing Gifts utilizing the strategic planning resources. Faith Encounters and Regional Development Days were launched in the diocese during her term. An updated format for annual conventions and meeting of members was hosted in two regions, with an overwhelming positive response.

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, a lector, as a member of Ann’s choir, and a member of the social committee hosting annual parish events. Patricia is a 7 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.

Faith Standing Committee
Chairpersons of faith shall evangelize, promote spiritual growth and encourage members to:
a. pray, individually and communally
b. uphold the sanctity of life
c. study Catholic teachings
d. stress the importance of the role of women in the church
e. foster vocations
f. advance ecumenical and interfaith endeavours

RHONDA DeGRAW

Born and raised in Blind River, Rhonda DeGraw married her husband Joe in 1990. Together they raised three children.

She attends her Parish of St. James the Greater, where she serves as a minister of ceremony and minister of hospitality. She also served on her community’s Inter-Church Council for thirteen years, five of those as secretary.

She joined the Catholic Women’s League in 2001 and has served as a chairperson, treasurer, vice president, president and past president. She has served on diocesan for six years as a Regional Chair (Sault Ste. Marie), and chairpersons of Christian Family Life, Community Life, Legislation and Resolutions, and has currently been elected to serve as Faith chairperson.

Rhonda’s greatest joy is spending time with her two granddaughters aged six and three and she joyfully awaits the arrival of a third granddaughter; she is due this Fall.

Chairpersons of social justice, guided by Catholic social
teaching, shall encourage members to
a. uphold the life and dignity of the human person
b. advocate for the poor and the vulnerable and their inclusion in society
c. advocate for the dignity of work and equal rights of workers
d. care for God’s creation
e. educate members and keep them informed of relevant social justice issues
f. initiate resolutions on relevant issues

ANNETTE DUTRISAC

Annette retired after 32 years employment with the Ministry of the Attorney General, working as Courtroom Clerk in Provincial Criminal, Family and Youth Courts, as well in District Court for the District of Nipissing. She became more deeply involved for the past 35 years, in service to her parish in many roles and in assuming positions on CWL Council Executive, including President, Vice-President, Past President, as well as other positions, some of them, more than once.

She recently completed a two-year appointed position as North Bay Regional Chair. At the Sudbury Convention 2026, she was elected to the Diocesan Council and was appointed as Social Justice Chair.

In assuming this role, Annette brings some experience with this Pilar, however, she looks forward to learning and growing, as we work together as a team.

As Social Justice Chair, she hopes to inspire as we work together, to advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, to educate according to Christian values, as we continue the League’s work to uphold the rights, life and dignity for all God’s people.

Chairpersons of service shall encourage members to
a. promote activities in service to members, the parish and the community
b. advocate for and support services that include but are not limited to homelessness, human trafficking, poverty, bullying and racism
c. educate members about charitable needs, especially mission assistance at home and abroad

SHIRLENE CONDIE-McVEIGH

For more information about the Regional Chairpersons, please visit the Regional Councils & Committees page.