Yellowknife (Jun 21/06) - The 190 women who gathered in Yellowknife last week are "companions on a journey."

The women, members of the Catholic Women's League of Canada, travelled from across the Territories, and some from across Canada and the U.S., to take part in the fourth annual NWT/Alberta Catholic Women's League Convention, June 16-18.

Rose Goudreau of Hay River, Karen Tomasta of Yellowknife and Maureen Govans of Inuvik celebrate their friendship, shared faith and vision for the future at the Catholic Women's League NWT/Alberta Regional Convention. - Emily Watkins/NNSL photo

It was a gathering of spiritual women who come together with the same common goals," said Karen Tomasta of Yellowknife, who was elected president of the NWT region.

The theme of the conference, "Companions on a Journey," highlighted the group's efforts at sharing its values and spirituality, said national president Agnes Bedard, who was in the NWT capital for the meeting.

"It is a renewal of friendships," Rose Goudreau from Assumption Parish in Hay River.

"It will motivate us spiritually and it will rejuvenate us to have more energy, and it will be easier to do the work when we go home."

The delegates discussed how to bring Christianity into the private sector and the work place.

The Catholic Women's League in Canada is a spiritual and political force with 100,000-plus members. The NWT/Alberta chapter has about 10,000 members.