Bio

Christa Sanford was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She first moved to Lethbridge back in the late 90’s to attend school at what was known then as Lethbridge College, now Lethbridge Polytechnic. However, Lethbridge has always been a second home for Christa. Growing up, she travelled and spent time here every summer with family.

Christa chose Lethbridge for post-secondary because of the great reviews she heard from everyone about the Criminal Justice Program. She was invested in becoming an officer. Christa graduated from the program with a degree and went on to working at Lethbridge Correctional Centre as a Correctional Officer I/ Acting Caseworker for the next 5 years. Then, Christa worked with apprehended youth in a group home for nearly 3 years. By a turn of events she found herself working in settlement services. Christa spent the next 13 years working with newcomers to Canada and helping adults, children, and youth navigate their way in a new homeland.

The work that Christa has done taught her that life takes us in all sorts of directions, planned or unplanned and during these times we often need help and support from others. This lead Christa down a path of accomplishments she is proud to be a part of. During her time working in settlement and with help from others, Christa was able to create several programs that assisted with settlement such as an after-school homework club, summer program opportunities for youth, and a mental health group for newcomer children. Christa also had the privilege and opportunity to engage clients and develop relevant activities and curricula that met the needs and wants for vulnerable women, here at Lethbridge Family Services, Immigrant Services.

 Christa is excited for her new role as the Community Domestic Violence Response Lead so that she can continue her work with the community, providing engagement and learning opportunities that will improve the well-being and lives of individuals and families who call Lethbridge their home.

Bio

Outreach and Education Facilitator,
Lethbridge Family Services

RSW - #18080

I have been working at Lethbridge Family Services as an Outreach and Education Facilitator for over a year. I have a passion for mental health education and awareness that started in high school, and carried through my social work degree including a practicum placement working in mental health education in Lethbridge School District 51. I particularly enjoy working with young people to have conversations normalizing mental health and encouraging help-seeking. 

I completed my Bachelors of Social Work through the University of Calgary, Lethbridge division, and continue to explore my love for education and community connection.

The degree was completed through the University of Calgary starting September 2021 and finished in May 2023.

Bio

Dorothy Boras was born in Calgary and moved around to several cities before settling in Lethbridge where she graduated from Catholic Central High School. She attended the University of Lethbridge, graduating with a BA majoring in French. After working for a year in Ottawa, she returned to university at St. F.X.U. and earned her Education Degree.

Dorothy moved to Calgary to begin her teaching career. She taught in Calgary, Lethbridge, Vulcan and Dawson Creek, BC before moving to Pincher Creek to teach in the public system for 25 years. In 2002 she taught in Australia for a year as part of a teachers exchange. Upon retiring in 2012, she moved to
Lethbridge to live with her mother. Her interests include travelling, scrapbooking, reading, quilting, and playing guitar.

Dorothy has been involved in Girl Guides for many years. She went thru the program as a child and continued as a leader for the past 50 years. She has held various positions in the District and Area. In 2018 she organized a trip to Switzerland for a group of 10 Girl Guides.

Her CWL involvement began with helping her mother with CWL activities in Lethbridge. She joined in Dawson Creek and helped with the church’s music ministry. When she moved to Pincher Creek, she joined the CWL to meet ladies in the parish and held various positions. Moving to Lethbridge she became President-Elect, President, and Past President.

Dorothy was Diocesan Resolutions Chair for three years and helped a council draft resolution 2022.01 which was adopted at the National level. She was the Diocesan Legislation Chair for 2 years and is now the Diocesan Communications Chair. She is blessed to have met so many sisters in the League.

Bio

​The Most Reverend William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary
President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Most Rev. William McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary, became the 40^th President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops at the September 2023 Plenary Assembly. Elected by his brother Bishops for a two-year term (2023-2025), he succeeds the Most Rev. Raymond Poisson, Bishop of Saint-Jérôme-Mont-Laurier, whose two-year term ended in September 2023.

A native of London, Ontario, Bishop McGrattan was born on 19 September 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood on 2 May 1987 for the Diocese  of London by Bishop John Michael Sherlock.

His Excellency received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Western Ontario, followed by a Master’s in Divinity from St. Peter’s Seminary in London. Following his ordination, after three years of service at St. Joseph’s Parish in Chatham, Ontario, he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Fundamental Moral Theology in 1992. He was subsequently appointed to the faculty of St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario as Associate Professor, becoming Vice-Rector, Dean of Theology, and eventually Rector in 1997.

In 2009, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto by Pope Benedict XVI and was ordained to the episcopate on 12 January 2010. Bishop McGrattan’s episcopal motto, “Habe Fiduciam in Domino” (Trust in the Lord), is taken from Proverbs 3:5, which reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.”

As Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, Bishop McGrattan had responsibility for the Central Region, which includes 71 parishes in the central part of Toronto. In addition, he was Vicar for Lay Movements and Associations, Vicar for Ethnic Communities, and the Liaison Bishop for the Catholic School Chaplains of Ontario, the Catholic Association of Religious and Family Life Educators of Ontario, the Catholic Health Association of Ontario, and the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada.

On 8 April 2014, he was appointed the 12^th Bishop of the Diocese of Peterborough, and was installed on 23 June 2014, succeeding Bishop Nicola De Angelis. Bishop McGrattan served as Bishop of Peterborough until 4 January 2017 and as Apostolic Administrator until 19 April 2017.

On 4 January 2017, Bishop McGrattan was appointed by Pope Francis to succeed Bishop Frederick Henry as the 8^th bishop of the Diocese of Calgary. He was installed on 27 February 2017.

Bishop McGrattan is active in the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops.

As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop McGrattan has served on the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine and was one of four representatives on the National Council of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, in addition to having served as Bishop ponens with the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada and as the National Spiritual Advisor with the Catholic Women’s League of Canada. He has been a member of the CCCB Executive Committee since 2017.

Source: CCCB

Presentation Details

We will explore the differences between mental health and mental illness, the impact of stigma, common experiences people may have when they are struggling, and the importance of help-seeking. This presentation will also discuss the unique factors that contribute to the mental wellbeing of older adults and how the community around them can offer support.

Workshop Details

This discernment method ensures all voices are heard, fosters an openness to new perspectives, and inspires authentic action for the renewal of the faith community. It encourages the participants to speak from the heart, listen deeply, share personal experiences and remain prayerful.

Through active listening and speaking from the heart, an atmosphere of trust and welcome is created, where everyone is made more aware of the presence and participation of the Holy Spirit in the process of sharing and discernment.