Council of Consecrated Women meeting minutes

On March 25, 1974 in a letter from Sister Yvette Herbert, SASV to Archbishop MacNeil a request was made to establish "some sort of Archdiocesan Council (or Senate) of Women Religious." Shortly after the Sisters' Council was formed.

The mission of the council was to become a representative body of institutions of women religious in the Archdiocese of Edmonton who would accept the responsibility of collaborating with the Archbishop in the mission of the Church through the discernment of, and supportive response to the resources, needs, concerns, hopes and visions of the People of God.

In 1983 a proposal was given to the Sisters' Council that a "Council of Women Religious" be formed. The council would act as a consultative body to the Archbishop with regard to matters pertaining to the Archdiocese, develop an awareness of the growing needs and challenges in the Archdiocese, respond to these by communicating and collaborating with the Archbishop, the clergy, and the greater Christian Community, to become more involved in the life od the Archdiocese, serving in an advisory capacity, working with the Archbishop and official groups to determine priorities in apostolic works and making such information available to the religious communities, and to enhance the sprit of mission as it applies to the specific areas in which the Sisters are involved.

The Council of Women Religious consisted of an administrative board comprised by an executive committee and deanery representatives. The officers of the Executive Committee are the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer. Officers of the executive are elected by members of the council at the annual general assembly and served for a term of two years.

A General Regular Assembly was held once a year in the spring (often referred to as the Spring Assembly).

In 2007 the Council of Women Religious began discussing broadening its members to include consecrated women. On January 7, 2008 the constitution of the Council of Women Religious was amended to allow all women of different forms of consecrated life to become members of the newly re-named Council of Consecrated Women.

Despite the three name changes the council's work has remained virtually the same, to act as the voice for consecrated women in the Archdiocese of Edmonton.