Ladies from over 30 Mothers’ Union (MU) branches across the Clogher Diocese attended the annual Festival Service in Monaghan on Friday, May 19. This was the first service of its kind to take place since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Clergy who took part in the Mothers’ Union Festival Service in St. Patrick’s Monaghan. Also included are members of Clogher Diocesan Trustees. Back from left: Valerie McMorris, Geraldine Beattie, Linda Keating, Jennifer Leathem, Doreen Earls.

Clergy who took part in the Mothers’ Union Festival Service in St. Patrick’s Monaghan. Also included are members of Clogher Diocesan Trustees. Back from left: Valerie McMorris, Geraldine Beattie, Linda Keating, Jennifer Leathem, Doreen Earls.

 

Over 200 members travelled, some for two hours, to St. Patrick's Parish church in the centre of Monaghan town where they shared in a service of Holy Communion for Pentecost at which Canon Ian Berry, the Rector preached and Bishop of Clogher Ian Ellis was the celebrant. Prayers were led by branch members and hymns were sang heartily by the congregation.

 

Heather Kettyles, Sallaghy Mothers’ Union and Gwen Meehan, Garrison, Slavin, Belleek and Kiltyclogher Mothers’ Union.

Heather Kettyles, Sallaghy Mothers’ Union and Gwen Meehan, Garrison, Slavin, Belleek and Kiltyclogher Mothers’ Union.

 

"It was a privilege to be together after an absence of three years due to the pandemic. We had so looked forward to joining one another to share fellowship, and it moved us to see our Mothers' Union branch banners carried high into church for the first time in ages," said a spokesperson for the Clogher Diocese MU branches.

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Towards the end of the service, members from branches offered their overseas contributions at the offertory, which totalled over £11,000 and will be sent to facilitate projects in Burundi and South Sudan.

 

Members of Kilskeery and Trillick Mothers’ Union and Garvary.

Members of Kilskeery and Trillick Mother's’ Union and Garvary.

 

"This is an amazing sum collected over the 21/22 year by members, many of whom had fundraised through local branch initiatives," explained the spokesperson.

 

Members of Ballinamallard Mothers’ Union.

Members of Ballinamallard Mothers’ Union.

 

At the end of the service, branch members chatted together over a sumptuous supper which was provided by the ladies of Monaghan, Donagh, Ballybay, Aghabog and Clough MU branches and served by Monaghan MU, the Bowling Club and the Ladies' Group, to whom those in attendance were very grateful.

"All agreed that it was wonderful to be together as branches of the diocese worshipping as one and fully representing our world-wide organisation," concluded the spokesperson.