Go to content

Mothers' Union Ireland - Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Mothers' Union

Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Mothers' Union
Skip menu
Skip menu
Skip menu

Mothers' Union Ireland

Newly Elected All Ireland President
Kay Clarke


All Ireland Mothers’ Union recently announced the election of Mrs Kay Clarke (Diocese of Derry and Raphoe) as Provincial President. Mrs Clarke will succeed the current President, Mrs June Butler, in January 2025. She is the wife of The Revd Canon Robert Clarke, rector of the parishes of Edenderry and Clanabogan. They have two married daughters and two grandsons. Mrs Clarke recently retired from teaching IT. She has been very involved in Mothers’ Union for over 35 years and is currently the All Ireland Faith and Policy Unit Coordinator. In this capacity, she was instrumental in introducing ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ to Mothers’ Union members throughout Ireland earlier this year. Mrs Clarke is also a member of the Church of Ireland Marriage Council and is part of the diocesan Safeguarding team. She has been a great advocate in raising awareness of domestic abuse through the 16 Days and Rise-Up campaigns.

Speaking of her appointment, Mrs Clarke said that she was honoured and humbled to be elected to the post of Provincial President. She acknowledged the work and commitment of the whole All Ireland Trustee Board and said that she looked forward to working with this team, serving Mothers’ Union members and communities at home and worldwide. While exploring new approaches, she plans to remain true to Mothers’ Union’s strong legacy of Christian care for families and uphold everything in prayer.  
Zonal Trustee ~ Zone I ~ All Ireland
June Butler


June Butler has been elected to serve as Zonal Trustee in Zone I for 2025-2027 to succeed Iris Suitor, the current Zonal Trustee.

June comes to this role with a wealth of experience in Mothers' Union as she is just about to complete her second term as All Ireland President and has also served three years previously as a Zonal Trustee for All Ireland.

June is a parishioner of Saintfield Parish in Down Diocese and has held many different roles in Mothers' Union in the Diocese as well as being actively involved in church organisations and committees.

Within Mothers’ Union, June is particularly engaged with matters of policy and has attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on many occasions as part of the MU delegation.

As All Ireland President June has also served on many different committees in Mary Sumner House.

Congratulations to all of the new Trustees that have been elected to serve on the Worldwide Board of Mothers' Union.
Newly Elected Worldwide President
Kathleen Snow


Accepting the role of Worldwide President of Mothers' Union, Kathleen commented “This is humbling, and a great honour. I look forward to working with members and staff to continue to build God’s Kingdom through Mothers’ Union. I am particularly excited that, as we carry forward the torch in January, we will be building on the firm foundations of our transformational programme work.

Just this week we are starting a new campaign, speaking up to right the injustice which means that, still today, 765 million adults cannot read or write, 2/3rds of them women, meaning they are unable to read medicine bottles, register the birth of a child, vote or ensure they get the correct change in the market.

We are calling for women’s literacy to be a priority. Being literate empowers women to be part of society and take ownership of their lives.

I look forward, in fellowship with members around the world, to continuing to do God’s work by serving the most disadvantaged in our communities, remembering that, with God, all things are possible”
The Commissioning of Mrs Sheran Harper as Worldwide President
& the new Global Trustee Board

Our Diocese was represented at the commissioning of Mrs Sheran Harper as World wide President of Mothers' Union in Southwark Cathedral by the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Revd. Justin Welby on Tuesday 26th February 2019.



        

The new global Trustee Board was also Commissioned by the Archbishop. They are Nikki Sweatman (South of England), Rev Libbie Crossman (Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Australia, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea), Canon Catherine Hilton (North of England), Jennifer Barton (Wales), June Buter (All Ireland), Thembsie Mchunu (Central Africa, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Southern Africa, Kathleen Snow (Canada, South America, U.S.A, West Indies), Roshini Mendis (Korea, Myanmar, North India, South India, Sri Lanka), Paul Hindle (Scotland), Deaconess (Mary Kamwati (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Jerusalem and the Middle East) and  Marie-Pierrette Bezara (Burundi, Congo, Indian Ocean, Rwanda, West Africa).
Commissioning of June Butler ~ All-Ireland President
& The New Trustee Board

The Commissioning of June Butler, All-Ireland President of Mothers' Union, and the new Trustee Board took place in Down Cathedral on Sunday 24th April 2019.
We wish them all well as they guide and lead Mothers' Union into the future.

Hilary Dring and our new All-Ireland Chaplain, Canon Robert Deane, were commissioned at the Sevice of Holy Communion at Spring Council on Saturday 6th April in Christ Church Cathedral , Dublin
What is Mothers' Union?

Mothers' Union is a global Christian membership charity that has been providing a support network for families since 1876. Working through our 4 million-strong membership we campaign for policies which strengthen family life. Our focus on ending gender-based violence is promoted not only through advocacy, but through working sensitively with communities for increased gender equality. Our focus on improving the lives of children is a combination of lobbying for political change on issues such as commercialisation of childhood, and on practical outreach in the provision of parenting groups. Our members work with families who are going through times of stress and hardship bringing spiritual and practical support.

Working as ambassadors for Christ our goal is to see all people enjoy loving, respectful and flourishing relationships.
 


Mothers' Union
Caring for Children & Families
around the World
Mothers' Union   


Vision: Our vision is of a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships.

Mission: To demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of the family in its many forms.

Objects: To promote and support married life. To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children To help those whose family life has met with adversity

Values: Mothers' Union is firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos. Its governance, leadership, and programmes are driven by and undertaken through members around the world as they respond to God's call to faith and action.

Beliefs: We believe in the value of each individual and their unique qualities We believe in the value of relationships. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.believe in the value of the family in its many forms as a source of love and support for individuals and the basis for a caring community
Links to useful Websites



http://www.mothersunion.ie/ ~ Mothers' Union Ireland


http://www.cashel.anglican.org/ ~ The Diocese of Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Website


www.mothersunion.org ~ Mothers' Union Head Office

www.facebook.com/MothersUnion/ ~ Mothers' Union Facebook

https://www.ireland.anglican.org/ ~ Church of Ireland Website

Mary Sumner

In 1876 Mary Sumner, a clergyman’s wife living in nearby Old Alresford,  became concerned about how local mothers related their Christian faith  to family life. Wanting to encourage them she founded a small group  called the Mothers’ Union. She lived to see it become a worldwide  organisation, now with millions of members. She is buried outside  Winchester Cathedral.   



Lynne Tembey laying Flowers on the grave of Mary Sumner ~ 2016

Mothers' Union Prayer

We pray for families around the world.
  Bless the work of the Mothers’ Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
  Empowered by your spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.
 In Jesus’ name.
   Amen



Mary Sumner’s Personal Prayer

All this day, O Lord,
 let me touch as many lives as possible for thee;
 and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken,
 whether through the word I speak,
 the prayer I breathe,
 or the life I live.
Amen.

A prayer from ‘Dear Lord’ for Indoor Members



Some things are ageless…..

God of my yesterdays and of my tomorrows you have used my past to shape me into the person I am today.
Now, as I look forward, give me courage and an open mind; help me trust that you will share with me whatever my future brings.
Then may I remember with wonder The way that you have met my need.

(Pam Snowman, Burley in Wharfdale MU, UK)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
The words ‘Father Forgive’ are used as the response in the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation:
‘All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.’ Romans 3:23

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father, forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Father, forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father, forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Father, forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,
Father, forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father, forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
(The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation, by Canon Joseph Poole in 1958, is prayed in the new Cathedral every weekday at noon, and throughout the world by partners in the Community of the Cross of Nails.)

Walk with us in our journey of hope
All-Ireland Dates



Theme for 2025

Join us and Join in!

JANUARY

  • 1st January ~ New Year's Day
  • 6th January ~ The Feast of the Epiphany
  • 15th January ~ Holy Communion Service in Cork, Cloyne & Ross ~ 10.30 on Wednesday 15th January at St Mary’s Church in Carrigaline (Church Rd, Carrigaline East, Carrigaline Co. Cork)  Preacher: Canon Elaine Murray.
  • 18th - 25th January ~ The week of Prayer for Christian Unity

FEBRUARY

  • 1st February ~ St Brigid's Day
  • 3rd February ~ St Brigid's Day Bank Holiday Monday (IRL)
  • 6th  February ~ Holy Communion Service in Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh
  • 7th February ~ Annabella Hayes Day ~ Available to view on YouTube https://youtu.be/8UXkcEqlzEE.
  • 8th February ~ All Ireland trustee Meeting

MARCH

  • 1st March ~ St. David's Day
  • 1st March ~ All Ireland Unit Meetings ~ CITI
  • 5th March ~ Ash Wednesday
  • 6th March ~ Holy Communion Service in Dublin & Glendalough
  • 9th March ~ Commissioning Service in St. Columb's Cathedral, Derry ~ Postponed ~ New date to be confirmed
  • 17th March ~ St. Patrick's Day ~ Bank Holiday
  • 22nd March ~ All Ireland Trustees Meeting ~ Castleknock
  • 25th March ~ The Feast of the Annunciation ~ Service in St. Mary's Church Enniscorthy @ 7.30pm to celebrate 120th Anniversary of the Mothers' Union Branch. The special preacher is The Right Revd. Adrian Wilkinson, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory ~ Click on the link to view the service which will be live streamed: St. Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy - churchmedia.ie

APRIL

  • 3rd April ~ Holy Communion Service in Clogher Diocese
  • 5th April ~ All Ireland Council ~ Kilternan Parish Centre
  • 11th April ~ CFO Spring Council ~ Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow
  • 17th April ~ Maundy Thursday
  • 18th April ~ Good Friday
  • 20th April ~ Easter Sunday
  • 21st April ~ Bank Holiday Monday


MAY
  • 1st May ~ Holy Communion Service in Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory
  • 9th - 10th  May ~ The General Synod will be held in Lawlor’s of Naas, Kildare from Friday 9th May to Saturday 10th May 2025
  • 13th May ~ Day 3 of General Synod via ZOOM
  • 29th May ~ Ascension Day

JUNE

  • 2nd June ~ Bank Holiday
  • 5th  June ~ Holy Communion Service in Derry & Raphoe Diocese
  • 8th June ~ Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
  • 15th June ~ Trinity Sunday
JULY

  • 3rd  July ~ Holy Communion Service in Meath & Kildare
    
AUGUST

  • 7th  August ~ Holy Communion Service in Armagh Diocese
  • 9th  August ~ Mary Sumner Day


SEPTEMBER
    • 4th September ~ Holy Communion Service in Christ Church Dublin ~ All Ireland
    • 16th to 18th September ~ National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly ~ (Diocese of Meath & Kildare)
    • 20th September ~ All Ireland Unit Meetings


OCTOBER

  • 2nd October ~ Holy Communion Service in Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe
  • 3rd & 4th October ~ 2025 Getaway. Venue: The Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan
  • 18th October ~ All Ireland Trustees Meeting

NOVEMBER

  • 1st November ~ All Saint's Day ~ All Ireland Council
  • 6th November ~ Holy Communion Service in Down & Dromore Diocese
  • 9th November ~ Remembrance Sunday
  • 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Base Violence
    • Mothers’ Union All-Ireland Vigils 2025

DECEMBER

  • 4th December ~ Holy Communion Service in Connor Diocese
  • 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
  • 25th December ~ Christmas Day
  • 26th December ~ St. Stephen's day
Mothers' Union Leaflets



Mothers' Union produces many parenting leaflets and leaflets for families.

Click on the images on your left to download some of these leaflets.


Mothers' Union Parenting Leaflet



Mums Zone Leaflet
Mothers' Union



Click on the image above to access
dates from All-Ireland &
Mothers' Union Prayer Cycle 2022

Click on this image to view a video about
Mothers' Union

The Service of Thanksgiving ~ Photographs

    

    



Service of Thanksgiving

A Service of Thanksgiving for Mothers’ Union was held on 6th October 2018 in Christ Church Cathedral to mark the end of the current triennium. Mothers’ Union is deeply grateful to Very Reverend Dermot Dunne, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral for his invitation to the Cathedral. This was an opportunity to join together and to give thanks to God for all that He enabled Mothers' Union to achieve over the past triennium. The service was very special indeed and it is hoped that it is something that can be continued into the future. It is a feature of Mothers’ Union in York Province and the Trustees of Mothers’ Union hope that it is something that can be continued into the future in Ireland. The very foundation of Mothers’ Union is the love and presence of God in our hearts.

Many members from around the Diocese travelled to Dublin for the service and also some members joined the choir for this special occasion. The piece of stained glass to commemorate 130 years of Mothers’ Union in Ireland was also dedicated at this service.




This beautiful piece of stained glass was commissioned to celebrate 130 years of Mothers’ Union in Ireland ~ 1887 - 2017.
 
The piece was created by Irene McBride of Discovery Glass                                    
 
It is placed on the communion table in the Laurence O'Toole/Mothers' Union Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

What Does Mothers' Union Do?

Marriage & Family Life:
Promote Christian marriage; Marriage preparation: Encourage parents and  carers through Mothers' Union Parenting Groups: Running Parent and  Toddler Groups; Volunteering in Child Contact Centres: Helping children  and families feel welcome in Church.

Practical Care in Tough Times:
Caring for families in need; Working in partnership to support victims  of domestic abuse, refugees, asylum, seekers and the homeless, etc;  Offering holidays to needy families; Befriending families of those in  Prison.

Activities Worldwide:
Training Mothers' Union Workers in their local communities; Promoting  Parenting and Literacy and Development; Initiating Family Life  Programmes; Supporting Mothers’ Union Overseas and Relief Funds.

Campaigning for a Just Society:
Drawing attention to social concern issues; Supporting gender equality;  Lobbying Governments; Contributing to programmes at the United Nations;  Promoting Fair Trade.

Prayer:
Prayer is at the heart of everything we do in the Mothers' Union.  Members in Ireland are linked with members around the world through the  Wave of Prayer and from time to time visits are exchanged. Within  Ireland members enjoy fellowship through the development of North/South  links between Dioceses and individual Branches.
   



  


Thursdays in Black: Resistance and Resilience
The campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays.  Wear a pin to declare you are part of the global movement resisting  attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect  for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence.  Encourage others to join you.
Often black has been used with negative racial connotations. In this campaign Black is used as a color of resistance and resilience.
At Autumn Council in the Springfield Hotel June Butler, All-Ireland President, encouraged us all to support this iniative. The trustees all wore black and are pictured below.


Click on the image above to read an interview
with June Butler about
"Thursdays in Black"
Mothers' Union ~ Wave of Prayer
April 2025


Click on the image above to access the Midday Prayers for April 2025

Wave of Prayer for Mothers’ Union
Lord, we pray for Mothers’ Union worldwide.

1 April: Toamasina in Madagascar; Mukono in Uganda; Ikwerre & Ife East in Nigeria; Down & Dromore in All Ireland and Delhi in India

2-4 April: Umzimvubu in South Africa; Lweru in Tanzania; On the Niger in Nigeria; Cape Coast in Ghana; Ontario in Canada and Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe in All Ireland

6-8 April: Cueibet in South Sudan; Gahini in Rwanda; Wusasa & Ibadan in Nigeria and Christchurch in New Zealand

9-11 April: Nord Kivu in DR Congo; Kigali in Rwanda; Kiteto & Kubwa in Nigeria; Perth in Australia and Kuranagala in Sri Lanka

13-15 April: Yirol in South Sudan; Ruvuma in Tanzania; Nike & Benin in Nigeria; Canberra & Goulburn in Australia and Dogura in Papua New Guinea

16-18 April: Kindu in DR Congo; Mount Kenya West in Kenya; Egbu in Nigeria; Te Pihopatanga O Aotearoa in New Zealand; Cork, Cloyne & Ross in All Ireland and Eastern Himalayas in India

20-22 April: Kinshasa in DR Congo; Victoria Nyanza in Tanzania; Ahoada & Warri in Nigeria; Oxford in England and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea

23-25 April: Kisangani in DR Congo; Kagera in Tanzania; Awka in Nigeria; Sunyani in Ghana; Manchester in England and Popondota in Papua New Guinea

27-29 April: Port Sudan in Sudan; Muhabura in Uganda; Niger Delta West & Yewa in Nigeria; The Northern Territory in Australia and Chennai in India

30 April: Aru in DR Congo; Kigezi in Uganda; Ikeduru in Nigeria; Ho in Ghana; York in England and Guyana & Suriname in Guyana

Blessing Prayer
Lord, may your warmth and light
nurture our relationships.
May each encounter be filled
with beauty and growth.
May our interactions
with the world around us be fruitful.
And may Christ be our encouragement,
our strength and our joy.

Amen.


Back to content