Around the Dioceses
Tree Planting ~ Derry & Raphoe
The All-Ireland President of Mothers’ Union, June Butler, joined
Diocesan President, Jacqui Armstrong, and members of the Derry and
Raphoe Mothers’ Union at a tree-planting ceremony on the outskirts of
Londonderry on Thursday, to mark the Queen’s forthcoming platinum
jubilee.
The women were greeted by blue skies and glorious sunshine as they
gathered at Brackfield Wood, which skirts the River Faughan, just off
the main Derry to Belfast Road near Killaloo. The area has been
earmarked by the Woodland Trust for the cultivation of a centenary wood,
and will eventually include 40,000 native trees commemorating soldiers
who lost their lives during the First World War.
Stockpots for Refugees
Clare Stewart, Action & Outreach Coordinator, has been exploring how best the Diocese of Down & Dromore could help support refugee families. She was advised that the Kiltonga Christian Centre work with Government Departments and other charities to supply items needed by refugee families and asylum seekers across Northern Ireland. Helen Sloan, the manager of the Kiltonga Centre, during a meeting with Clare highlighted the need for large stockpots. Helen explained that the cultural norm for many refugee families is to cook family meals in one large pot.
In recognition that mothers want to nurture and feed their families the best way they know how, Down and Dromore Trustees agreed to the purchase of large stockpots which Clare delivered to Helen Sloan on 4 May 2022.
A large number of members from Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and friends enjoyed a lovely afternoon in Rathwood on Friday 3rd June. They enjoyed a delicious "Afternoon Tea" and it was a wonderful occasion for everyone to meet up for a chat too. The afternoon was organised by the Diocesan President, Lesley Bayley, not only to celebrate the Platinum Jublilee of our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2, but also to raise much needed funds for our Diocesan Projects.
The Diocese has also been busy providing much needed support to a Ukranian family who are being rehoused in Enniscorthy. Members have also been knitting and sewing fiddle sleeves and blankets at the request of a nursing home in Kilkenny. These are used with patients who are suffering from dementia and a request came to Mothers' Union to see if we could provide a supply for patients in the nursing home.
100th Birthday Congratulations
Jean Jackson, a member of Killowen Mothers’ Union, Derry and Raphoe Diocese, celebrated her 100th birthday on 22nd July 2022. To honour Jean and celebrate this auspicious occasion, members of Killowen Mothers’ Union arranged an afternoon tea at Woodbank House in Garvagh. Judging by Jean’s smile she had a wonderful afternoon. She is a regular attender at church and still attends many of the Mothers’ Union meetings.
Ploughing Championships 2022
Ploughing Championships 2022 took place in Ratheniska, Co Laois, from 20th to 22nd September. Mothers' Union, yet again, provided the greatly appreciated facility where parents and guardians could come and feed/change their baby/toddler. Parents are delighted to have a lovely clean, safe environment in which to change and feed their child and the volunteers were kept very busy over the three days, keeping everywhere clean and ready for the next family using the facility. We were delighted to welcome Máiréad McGuinness, MEP, to the tent on the final day and she was very impressed with the service provided by Mothers' Union and she also praised the work Mothers' Union does in highlighting the scourge of Domestic Violence. Linda Ward presented Máiréad with a copy of the MU Prayer Book "Dear Lord" and a copy of the cookbook "Mums Marvellous Meals".
We are very grateful to all those members who volunteer so that this wonderful service can be provided at the Ploughing.
Mothers' Union Annual Gathering 2022
The 2022 Annual Gathering took place on Saturday 24th September in the ICC, Waterfront Hall, Belfast. Two services took place on the previous day in St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast. The celebrant for the service was Right Revd. Goerge Davison, Bishop of Connor. The guest choir was Kerygma with their musical director, Lorna Palmer and the organist was Neale Agnew. During the service there was an act of rememberance for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth who was Patron of Mothers' Union. The Right Revd. Andrew Forster, Bisop of Derry and Raphoe gave a very thought provoking sermon at both services.
On the following day we met in the Waterfront for the Annual Gathering during which there were several presentations ~ Showcasing the work of Mothers' Union in Ireland ~ Updates from Mary Sumner House ~ A report on various projects throughout Great Britain. There was also a virtual address and presentations from the Worldwide President, Sheran Harper.
On the Saturday evening there was a very successful concert featuring Clare Chorale.