WELCOME
Welcome to the Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Mothers' Union website. The website will carry news, articles and photographs of Mothers' Union events throughout the United Diocese and also All-Ireland news.
The website will be regularly updated and if any Branch wishes to have an event, article or photograph published on the website please forward it to our Diocesan Secretary, Cecily Jones. Email: cfomothersunion@gmail.com
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CONTACT DETAILS
Cashel, Ferns, Ossory
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Secretary: Cecily Jones
News Updates
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Latest News
Dates for your Diary
Lesley Bayley
The Diocesan President of
Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Mothers' Union
Theme for 2024 ~ Transformation - Now!
A Letter from the Diocesan President ~ Lesley Bayley
Dear fellow members,
When I took on the role I had absolutely no idea what was involved or how much of my daily life it would take up. There have been some very hard days, when I wondered what on earth had possessed me, and there have some been really great days, which thankfully made the bad ones disappear into the background.
The most surprising times were probably during COVID 19, when communication was difficult and our phones and computers became our lifeline to the outside world. Zooming became the norm, alongside lots of WhatsApp groups, and Facebook once again became a popular means of seeing what everyone else was up to.
COVID also inspired me to start the weekly Zoom services and the MU CFO Facebook page, to run a computer course via Zoom for members who wanted to learn some basic skills, and to produce the monthly newsletter, which I hope has been useful to members for receiving and sharing information.
Zoom has also made getting together so much easier, and it has given me the opportunity to take part in webinars and meetings that I would otherwise not have been able to attend, and to meet people from all around the world, as well as from nearer to home in Britain and Ireland.
Working alongside the other DPs and June has been great, as well as the All Ireland and Diocesan Trustees, the staff from Mary Sumner House, Bishop Adrian and Revd. Ger. Visiting branches and meeting members at larger gatherings has expanded my pool of friends significantly. Being part of the ‘Changing The Story’ group has opened doors that I never expected and speaking publicly about my past, living for years in a coercive relationship, has been both freeing and cathartic.
It has been an honour and a privilege to be your Diocesan President and I hope that everything I have done has been to the betterment of the diocese. I don’t really know what else to say, except to thank everyone for their friendship, support and encouragement over the past six years, to thank you all for your very kind and generous gift which I was presented with at Autumn Council, and to wish whoever takes on the role next, every success during their term of office.
Thank you for everything, and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
With every blessing,
Lesley xxx
cfodpmothersunion@yahoo.com
As Mothers’ Union continues to encourage branches and churches to RISE UP against domestic abuse, this month we feature Christmas: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Well, until it isn't!
Over the Christmas period, reports of domestic abuse always go up, and this year we have had the added element of the World Cup - another point in the calendar when incidents of domestic abuse increase. It is important to remember that it is not the events themselves that cause this rise, but the opportunity for power and control to be exerted by the abuser.
In 2021 a survey by the UK’s largest family law firm Stowe Family Law found that one in six respondents believed they were more likely to suffer emotional or physical abuse from their partner over the Christmas period.
As Churches how can we respond to this?
Be proactive: Ensure that the signage around any buildings or events is obvious, directing people to agencies or individuals that can support and help during this time. Ensure our messages are sensitive and bring the joy of Christmas.
Be alert: While this time is super busy, try your best to be aware of the relationships around you. Do you notice any differences? Who isn’t present who usually would be? Do you know the reasons why?
Be educated: A perpetrator's past behaviour is the best indicator of future behaviour. Just because an individual has been able to leave their abuser, it does not mean that the abuse has ended. Post-separation abuse can continue years after they no longer live together, and the first six months of leaving are when there is the highest risk to the victim.
Be aware: Ensure that the victim’s safety is at the forefront of your mind, and make any decisions on the basis of this. Know your own feelings and reactions; this is often the place we make decisions from, which can mean that our own biases get in the way of the safety of the individual and their family.
Be respectful: Do not presume someone wants you to help; be generous, but be kind and sensitive as well. We might think inviting someone round who will be alone is the obvious thing to do, but check with them as being with others may not be what is helpful to them.
Be generous: With the above in mind, if you know of individuals who have left an abuser, offer some financial or practical assistance to them. With the utility prices so high, top up their gas and electric so they can be warm, and cook or provide a hamper or gifts for family members.
Help is at hand from specialist domestic abuse services:
- If there is ever an emergency call 999.
- Gardaí - www.garda.ie/en/crime/domestic-abuse/
- Republic of Ireland 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900
- Women’s Aid website offers help and support: www.womensaid.ie
- Men’s Aid, Ireland Confidential Support Line: 01-5543811 www.mensaid.ie
Click on the image below to download the
December 2024 Newsletter
Click on the image above to bring you to
the All-Ireland website to read all about
The Triennial All-Ireland Mothers'
Union Conference 2023
Click on the image above to view a video of the work
of Mothers' Union in Ireland created for
The Annual Gathering in Belfast 2022
Click on the image above to download a poster re
grants available from CFO Mothers' Union
Mothers' Union Video
Click on the Mothers' Union emblem below to see the video highlighting the work of Mothers' Union which was filmed at the Triennial Conference in Termonfeckin in March 2017
The video features members of Mothers' Union from around Ireland telling all about the organisation and the many different projects supported by Mothers' Union both here at home and in Third World Countries.
One of the clips features our very own Joan Blake who can be seen knitting a matinee jacket and talking about the Mothers' Union Knitting Project
Below also is a link to the main Mothers' Union
Facebook Page
The All-Ireland Facebook Pages
Click on the image above to to bring you
to a page on the All Ireland Website
with a Report on the Getaway Weekend 2023
Click on the image below to bring you to the
All-Ireland You Tube Channel
SPIN AUTUMN 2024
The latest edition of Spin is now available
to download.
Click on the image below
Q Code to Donate to Mothers' Union
Changing the Story Initiative
Christmas Cards
Occasional Cards & Gifts
Available from
* MU Enterprise *
Naomi Besanson currently has
cards available to purchase plus cards to suit many other occasions.
Please contact
Dates for your Diary
2024
- POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE
- 26th October ~ Autumn Council ~ Dolmen Hotel Carlow @ 10.30 a.m.
- 7th November @ 11.30 a.m. ~ Holy Communion Service in St. Mary's Church Carlow, ~ R93 YW77 ~ St. Mary's, Church, Carlow, Co. Carlow
The Mothers' Union Harvest Service Portlaoise took place in Saint Peter's Church, Grattan Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois on Sunday 5th November.
Click on the image above to view a video of the service
Click on the image above to view a video of the service
Click on the image above to download the
Booking Form
All Ireland Holy Communion Services
2024
Mothers’ Union Holy Communion Service
December 2024
Thursday 5th December 2024
@ 11.15a.m.
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
(Dublin & Glendalough Diocese)
(Christ Church Place, Wood Quay, DUBLIN D08 TF98)
June's Walk in Kilkenny
June Butler's first walk in the Diocese took place in Kilkenny on Thursday 8th June. We are very grateful to Florrie Carter and her team in Kilkenny Mothers' Union for all of the time and effort they put in to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Those participating enjoyed a lovely walk over the new bridge, by the river and on to the Castle Grounds before returning to the cathedral. Pat Nolan accompanied us on the walk giving an interesting account of all of the historical areas we passed. Sam Harper met up with us en route and provided same lovely ice-cream for refreshments. Some of the walkers had other commitments and were unable to continue on the walk but eight completed it. We were delighted that Bishop Michael Burrows was able to join us for the walk too.
Our thanks to the ladies from Kilkenny MU for all of the hospitality they provided both before and after the walk.
June thanked everyone for their support and welcome to Kilkenny. Florrie Carter, Branch leader, presented June with a small token to mark her visit to Kilkenny.
June's Second Walk ~ Tintern Abbey
June Butler's second walk in CFO took place on Monday 12th July at Tintern Abbey near Saltmills in Co. Wexford. The weather forecast for the morning was miserable but thankfully it turned out to be fine and a lovely day for walking. It was wonderful to meet up with so many members before eight set off to complete one of the longer walks through the woods.
June was delighted to meet up with Bea Thorpe in the walled gardens and have a chat with her. Three ladies set off with June to complete a further two kilometers so as to achieve her 7km target on each walk. When we arrived back in the car park we met up with Anne Barrett, a former All-Ireland President, and our own Phyllis Grothier, who was the previous All-Ireland President, was also present.
Our thanks to Olive Thorpe for her work in arranging the walk and to everyone who attended Tintern Abbey on the day.
Walk No. 3 in Cashel, Ferns, Ossory
June's third walk in Cashel, Ferns, Ossory, the final walk of her series for Mums in May 2021, took place on Tuesday 26th October. The venue for the walk was the Railway Walk in Tinahely. We were delighted that many from the Diocese were able to attend as well as Sylvia Wheatley (Diocesan President of Meath & Kildare) with some of her family and also the All-Ireland Treasurer, Revd. Ken Rue. June began by thanking everyone for coming to join her on the walk and Revd. Rue led us in prayer. Lesley Bayley, Diocesan President of CFO, also welcomed June to Tinahely for her final walk before a group headed off on the walk led by local MU member, Hazel Stedman.
Four walkers completed just over 7kms with June through a lovely tranquil area of woodland and admiring the lovely autumnal colours of the trees. They met up with those who had completed a shorter walk on their return to the car park. A group then adjourned to the D'Lish Cafe in Tinahely for lunch.
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 our 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. Thank you Lesley for all of the thought and effort you put in to all of the activities for Mothers' Union in the Diocese.
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.
Getting to know our Founder In Ireland
Annabella Hayes
1847 – 1921
Mothers’ Union was founded in Raheny, Dublin in 1887 by Mrs Annabella Hayes. As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of her death, let’s learn a little more about our founder.
Canon and Mrs Hayes liked to travel and visited Norway, Switzerland and Canada. After their daughter Marie's untimely death in Delhi in 1908 aged 33, they travelled to Delhi to visit the hospital where Marie had worked for the previous three years and to meet people she had worked with. Later Annabella edited and published letters which Marie had written to home. Marie's final letter, sadly, arrived some weeks after the fateful telegram giving news of her death had been received in Raheny. The Hayes memorial cross in Raheny village was erected some years later.
Annabella was born in Dublin in 1847, the daughter of Thomas Edkins Willson of Upper Mount Street. In December 1866 she married the Reverend Francis Carlile Hayes who was then curate in Sandford Parish Church. She was nineteen years old and he was twenty-eight.
In 1867 he was appointed curate of St. Andrew's Church, Suffolk Street, and their first child, Ernest William Carlile Hayes, was born in February 1868. In 1873, Sir Arthur Edward Guinness (later Lord Ardilaun) appointed him Rector of Raheny Parish and he and Annabella moved to the Glebe House where they were to remain for the next forty-five years.
Their second child, Marie Elizabeth (always known as May) was born in May1874, and in April 1878 her sister Ethel Clara Ridley was born. A boy, Maurice, was born in 1886 but sadly died in infancy. Ernest went to school at St.Columba's and an English governess, Connie Gibbs of Willesden, was appointed to look after the education of the two girls.
In 1887 Annabella Hayes set up the first branch of the Mothers' Union in Raheny, inspired by what Mary Sumner had done in England eleven years before. Little did either of them know that in the twenty-first century world-wide membership of M.U would have grown to over four million.
Francis and Annabella were still in the Raheny Rectory when they celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1916. Canon Hayes retired in 1918 and he and Annabella moved to 12 Northbrook Road which was apparently owned by Francis since his days at St. Andrew's. Annabella survived a bad bout of 'flu shortly after they moved, but was taken ill again about a year later. She was diagnosed with liver cancer and died at home on the 7th February 1921.
Annabella was buried in St. Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton and her headstone (and that of Francis) stands at the highest point of the Cemetery. It is, however, not made of stone but of wood - teak, and despite its having stood there for 100 years there is absolutely no sign of decay in the timber. Mothers’ Union in Ireland had planned to do some restorative work to her gravesite during 2021 but has been put on hold because of Covid 19 restrictions.
Annabella was 74 when she died on 7th February 1921 and Francis was 94 when he died on 12th December 1931.
Click on the photograph of Annabella to bring you to a dedicated page
on the All-Ireland Website covering the centenary celebrations.
MULOA is a new initiative from Mothers' Union
which aims to look at Mothers' Union going forward.
You will be hearing a lot about it at Branch Level in the coming months.
Click on the MULOA symbol to see a short video about this initiative.
PRAYER FOR MULOA
We pray that our God will make us fit for what he’s called us to be,
that he’ll fill our good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy
so that it all amounts to something.
As our lives honour the name of Jesus,
may he honour us, by his grace; our God giving himself freely,
the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. Amen
Based on 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (The Message)
Charity Number:
Republic of Ireland:
Mothers’ Union in Ireland is recognised as a Charity by the Revenue Commissioners, 5161.
Mothers’ Union in Ireland is recognised as a Charity by the Revenue Commissioners, 5161.
Registered Charity Number - 20007331 (Charities Regulatory Authority).
Mothers' Union Theme 2022
Transformation - Now!
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