Shoebox Appeal

St John's & Calry MU Sligo with the shoe boxes they have prepared. Members helped with the sorting and checking of the boxes in a warehouse in Ballymote before the boxes were dispatched for delivery to needy children who might otherwise receive no Christmas presents.

Active Senior Members

Mrs. Sarah Smyth (Swnlinbar) who is in her nineties is pictured above with her collection of teddies which she knitted for the Ambulance and Emergency Services. Sarah is still an active branch member.

Mrs. Sally Woodhouse from Killeshandra recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Sally also loves to knit and is renowned for her recycled shopping bags. Pictured above is Bishop Ken, Mrs. Helen Clarke and Mrs. Leila Beattie - Senior Member's Contact who visited Sally for her birthday.

Mrs.Marjorie Fannin from Drung celebrated her 90th Birthday. She was one of the founding members of the Drung Branch 53 years ago and still continues to be a very faithful member. She seldom misses a meeting which is a great achievement for a lady of her age.

Conference in Swanwick

Lorna Graham Marketing Unit coordinator attended the Fundraising and Communication Unit Conference in Swanwick. Picture shows Lorna, Rosemary Kempsell - World wide President, Susan Catchart - All Ireland Unit coordinator, Margaret Beringer - Head of Unit in MSH, Lettie Coulter - Clogher Unit Coordinator.

Young Members' Weekend

Nine delegates from the diocese representing Cavan, Sligo Manorhamilton and Virginia branches attended the Young Members' Weekend in the City North Hotel, Dublin.
On Friday 14th October the delegates received a warm welcome. There was a short service of worship followed by dinner. Dr. McAlinden then held a very interesting session on CPR.

Saturday morning began with an exercise session followed by talk on good public relations and the Bye Buy childhood campaign. It was a good time of fun and fellowship together.

Pictured above are:
Delegates from KEA with Mary Caldwell, All Ireland Unit Coordinator for Action and Outreach.

Some of the Delegates

Taking part in exercise session.

Festival Service in Granard

The festival service which was held in Granard Parish Church on 24th May, 2011 was attended by one hundred and seventy members from across the diocese. The service was conducted by Canon Janet Catterall and Bishop Ken Clarke. The address was given by Mrs. Ruth Mercer, All Ireland President of the Mothers' Union. Clergy and Diocesan Readers from across the diocese were also present.
This was Mrs. Mercer's first official visit to the diocese since becoming All Ireland President and she was warmly welcomed by Bishop Ken and Mrs. Joy Little Diocesan President. The theme for the service was "Faithful Relationship" and Mrs. Mercer gave a very challenging and thought provoking address.
Following the service refreshments were enjoyed by everyone in the Community Centre in Granard. This was a time of fellowship and an opporunity for members to chat with our All Ireland President and to purchase items from the Enterprise and Bring and Buy Tables.
Mrs. Joy Little thanked the members from Edgeworthstown branch for hosting the service.

Banner Bearers

Bishop Ken greeting members

Kildrumferton members

Virginia members

Mrs. Joy Little with Mrs. Ruth Mercer and Canon David Catterall

Diocesan and All Ireland Presidents Joy Little and Ruth Mercer

Festival Service in Manorhamilton

Ninety members from across the diocese attended the Festival service in Manorhamilton Church on 10th May. The service was conducted by Revd. Sandra Lindsay and the sermon was given by Canon Derrick Swann. Bishop Ken Clarke and Revd. James Stevenson also took part. Clergy and Diocesan Readers from across the diocese were also in attendance.

There was a procession of banners representing Cootehill, Drumcliffe, Derrylin, Manorhamilton, Riverstown, St. John's/Calry, Swanlinbar and also the Diocesan Banner.

Canon Swann based his sermon on the theme for this year "Faithful relationship". The Intercessions were led by Manorhamilton branch members.

Following the service everyone enjoyed the lovely supper in the Community Centre hosted by members from Manorhamilton.

Manorhamilton festival service

Enterprises

Clergy and banners

Refreshments

Day of Refreshment

Over fifty members from across the diocese attended the Day of Refreshment in Florencecourt Parish Centre on Saturday 16th April.   Diocesan President Joy Little extended a warm welcome and introduced the speaker Revd. Liz Hanna from St. Nicholas' Church in Belfast.  Following morning coffee there was a short service of worship.  The theme used was "Praise my soul....." and Revd. Liz focused on the words healed, restored  and forgiven.  The readings used for reflection and meditation were John 4; John 21:1-19 and Psalm 46.   Members were encouraged to be still and listen to God; to read the text slowly and focus on words or phrases that meant the most to each one of us.  A beautiful lunch was enjoyed by all and the day concluded with An Evening Liturgy which included singing the  hymn "Praise my soul, the King of heaven".   It was a lovely day of friendship and refreshment and we thank Revd. Liz for her inspiring words.

Joy Little, Revd Liz and Hazel Speares

Photographs below show members enjoying lunch

News from Sligo / Calry Branch.

Following the closing service held on the 23rd March in St John's Cathedral Sligo members celebrated Mrs. Lily Greer's special birthday of 90 years.
Flowers were presented by Dean Arfon Williams, a gift by branch leader Dolores Henderson and everyone enjoyed a lovely cake made by Mrs Anne Fitzpatrick.
Congratulations Lily from all the members in Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

Mothers' Union Leadership Conference

The tri-ennial leadership conference was held at An Grianan, Termonfechin from 4th to 6th March 2011 and was attended by Diocesan President Mrs Joy Little, Secretary, Treasurer and the four Unit Co-ordinators.

The theme of the conference was The 3 M's, namely Mission, Members and Money.

The All-Ireland President, Mrs Ruth Mercer welcomed everyone and spoke briefly on the GOSPEL reminding us that the letters stand for “God’s Only Son Provides Eternal Life.

The conference was attended by Mrs Rosemary Kempsell, Worldwide President of the Mothers' Union.
Mrs Margaret Beringer, head of Marketing in Mary Sumner House spoke on membership and the problems of attracting new members.
The conference ended with Sunday morning Eucharist which was lead by Dean Raymond Ferguson from Kilmore.
After a busy weekend of worship, speakers, workshops, fun, fellowship and food the team returned home refreshed and full of enthusiasm for the work of the Mothers' Union.
Please click here or on the photo for a larger version

Presentation to Diocesan Chaplain:

Bishop Ken Clarke celebrates the 10th Anniversay of his appointment as Bishop of Kilmore Elphin and Ardagh at a service in Kilmore Cathedral on Sunday 27th February at 3.30pm. Mrs. Joy Little Diocesan President made a presentation to Bishop Ken at a meeting of the Trustees on 7th February.

On Friday 10th September sixteen Mother’s Union members travelled from Cork to spend the week-end in Sligo. Their first outing was to a Service in Drumcliffe Church which had an attendance of 90 Mother’s Union members from Manorhamilton, Longford, Edgeworthstown, Boyle, Riverstown, Sligo/Calry and Drumcliffe. The service was conducted by Canon Derek Swann, Rev. Ian Linton, Rev. Patrick Bamber and Rev Ronnie Burke. Diocesan President Joy Little gave a warm welcome to the visitors and refreshments were served following the service.
On Saturday our guests were taken on a tour of Glencar Lake in Co. Leitrim, Lissadel House and gardens, Mullaghmore, Drumcliffe, Yeats grave and finally Calry fete.
Saturday evening members from fourteen branches across the diocese joined Cork members at the Clarion Hotel in Sligo for a beautiful meal followed by entertainment.
On Sunday morning a Service of Holy Communion was celebrated in Riverstown Church by Rev.Ronnie Bourke. Branch Leader Josephine Taylor gave a warm welcome to Riverstown Folk Park where lunch was provided before our friends left for their journey back to Cork.
This was a wonderful week-end of fun and friendship and an opportunity to strengthen our link with MU members in Cork diocese.

Cork Members visit Sligo Photographs

Diocesan Brooch - The brooch was presented to Mrs. Joy Little Diocesan President at a Trustee Meeting held in January 2010.

Enrolment in Billis Church

Diocesan President Mrs. Joy Little attended the Enrolment Service for five new members in Billis Church on Wednesday 21st April 2010. The service was conducted by Revd. Craig McCauley. Picture (l to r): Yvonne Jennings (Virginia Group Enrolling Member), Elisabeth Henry, Verena Doughty, Joan McConn, Bella Henry, Margaret Bowles, Joy Little (Diocesan President), Revd Craig McCauley (Rector)

Commissioning of New Diocesan President

Mrs. Joy Little from Boyle, Co. Roscommon was commissioned as Diocesan President by Bishop Ken Clarke at a service in St. John's Church Longford on Monday 22nd March. The service was led by Canon David Catterall.
Following the service a meeting of Diocesan Council took place.

Presentations to Mrs. Helen Clarke

Presentations were made and tributes paid to outgoing Diocesan President Mrs. Helen Clarke who has completed a six year term of office. Mrs. Joy Little has been elected as Diocesan President with effect from January 1st.. (See photos page) 

New Trustees

At the first meeting of the new Trustee Body held on January 19th Mrs. Helen Clarke presented Mrs. Joy Little with a new Diocesan Brooch. (See Photos Page) 

Bishop Ken - the New MU Chaplain

Congratulations to Bishop Ken Clarke who has been appointed Central Chaplain to Mother's Union Trustees (worldwide) and was commissioned on the 12th February during Worldwide Council in Swanwick.