Diocesan News
Mothers’ Union is ‘a Force to be Reckoned With’
The new President of Derry and Raphoe Mothers’ Union has urged members to be bold and to take risks as the organisation moves into its 130th year in Ireland. Mary Good was speaking in St Columb’s Cathedral shortly after the Mothers’ Union Festival Service during which she was commissioned as the Diocesan President by her husband, Bishop Ken Good. Three other members were also commissioned to office: Jennifer Given as Diocesan Vice–President, Brigid Barrett as Diocesan Secretary, and Pearl Scott as the Indoor Members’ Representative.
Worship during the service was led by the Pastoral Assistant at St Columb’s Cathedral, Rev Canon John Merrick, and Bishop Good was the preacher. The Bishop told the congregation that women were among the most committed, most active and most involved parishioners in the Diocese. He said they were a force to be reckoned with. “When it comes to transforming community and radiating Christ the Mothers’ Union in this Diocese is a force to be reckoned with, and I thank God for that. From forty–plus years of experience I can tell you that the new Diocesan President is also a force to be reckoned with.”
The Bishop asked what the spirit was saying to the Mothers’ Union at the Festival Service? “What I have sensed tonight that the spirit is saying to the church and to the Mothers’ Union is: ‘You’re facing a challenging future but the Lord wants to face it with you. Invite him into your planning, your dreaming, your envisioning, and be courageous in the risks that you take.’”
Mrs Good said 2017 was going to be an exciting year for the organisation. She said they were following in the footsteps of those sisters within Mothers’ Union over the last 140 years who had left indelible marks in history for them to follow. “As we step into the next season of Mothers’ Union, let us be bold, let us be creative, let us be faithful and let us take risks, as we remember that well–known illustration about footsteps in the sand: it is at the difficult times that we realise that it’s Jesus who carries us. We don’t walk the path alone. He leads us, he enables us, and he will carry us even when we falter. So let’s not be afraid to stand up and do what he’s asking us to do.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org