Mothers' Union
Mothers' Union News
Retirements announced as Central Belfast Child Contact Centre holds AGM
The Annual General Meeting of The Central Belfast Child Contact Centre – a Connor Mothers’ Union initiative - was held in the Belfast Cathedral Centre in May 2010.
It is now more than 10 years since Connor MU proposed the initiative, inviting people with different experiences and expertise to a meeting in St John’s Malone chaired by the present Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Alan Harper, who was rector in Malone at the time.
A committee was subsequently elected and two Mothers’ Union members, Maureen Gordon and Roberta McKelvey, were elected Chairperson and Hon Secretary, posts which they have held until this year, when they both took a decision to retire.
At the AGM, the Archdeacon of Belfast, the Ven Barry Dodds, a member of the Management Committee, thanked Maureen and Roberta for their excellent work and dedication to making the Belfast Contact Centre a most valuable service to the city and beyond.
The Centre is run by a paid Coordinator, Melanie Phillips, supported by a rota of 31 volunteers, with funding from the DHSSPS and donations from churches and the Mothers’ Union among others. Volunteers make up the management committee.
Melanie reported that there are currently 48 families on the register consisting of 40 fathers, six mothers, and two sets of grandparents, having contact with 68 children. The majority of the children live with one or other parent, but there are also two long term foster placements availing of the Contact Centre facility. Some of the parents travel a considerable distance.
A factor which has become more apparent this year has been the number of people from different nationalities using the Centre - there are currently five mixed race families.
In some cases children have had no contact with the separated parent before coming to the Centre, and the meeting heard it is gratifying to see the establishment and development through time of meaningful relationships between children and their non resident parent. Frequency of contact can be weekly, fortnightly, or less regularly depending on circumstances and distance to travel. The Centre was open 49 out of 52 Saturdays this year, and on each 25-30 families availed of the facilities.
Dr Fionnuala Leddy, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick children, was the guest speaker. As part of her work she assists in contact disputes and in situations where concern has arisen regarding the care of children.
Reports submitted to Diocesan Council
May 2009
February 2009 (two pdfs) here and here.
September 2009
New website for Mothers’ Union Ireland
Mothers’ Union Ireland has a new look website with up-to-date information, a photo gallery, lists of resources and projects, and a diary.
The main features are the colourful graphics and the ease at which visitors can access information. It is bright, modern with a balanced view of all the work of the Mothers’ Union in Ireland.
It is a useful resource for Clergy and Mothers’ Union members, especially Branch Leaders, as it outlines the Theme for 2010 and provides ideas for Branch Meetings and News from Ireland and Mary Sumner House.
It provides clear information on how to get in touch with the All Ireland Office and gives lists of other useful website links.
Why not visit www.mothersunion.ie next time you are online.
Curry in a Hurry still a hit with students
Connor Mothers’ Union’s popular cookbook Curry in a Hurry is now in its 7th year.
MU representatives attended the Freshers’ Fair at Queen’s Universiry, Belfast on September 30 to distribute around 3,000 copies of Curry in a Hurry to first year students.
In addition, NIStudents (National Union of Students and Union of Students in ireland) requested their remaining stock of 1,500 for use in UU and local FE colleges.
Area Service in Antrim October 2009
Legacy allows Connor MU to set up holiday fund for families in need
The Diocesan Trustee Board of Connor Mothers’ Union is to set up a fund for ‘Away from it All’ holidays for families in need.
The Fund has been made possible by an unexpected windfall of €1,000, part of a €15,000 legacy willed to the MU in Ireland from the estate of the late Mrs Helen Jackson of Donegal.
Mrs Jackson had not been a member of Mothers’ Union herself but her mother had been an enthusiastic member and Mrs Jackson greatly admired the work of the organisation.
It was decided by the All Ireland Trustees that €3000 would be donated to the Worldwide Fund and the remaining €12,000 divided equally among the 12 dioceses in Ireland, according to Mrs Jackson’s wishes.
Connor Diocese will benefit to the tune of €1,000 and the Diocesan Trustee Board have decided to use this money to start a fund for the ‘Away from it All’ holidays.
Diocesan President Moira Thom said: “In these difficult times it is a way for Mothers’ Union to offer practical support to people in our parishes. Much thought and prayer will be needed and we hope members will support the initiative as it is developed.”
It is hoped to have the project underway by summer 2010.
Honoured MU guest speaks of life in South Africa
Moira Thom, Diocesan President of Connor Mothers’ Union, recently hosted an evening in her home in honour of Thandi Xundu from South Africa.
Thandi, a General Trustee at the MU’s Mary Sumner House, was visiting Northern Ireland as a guest of Margaret Crawford, All Ireland President.
Moira invited a mix of people from Connor, Down & Dromore, Armagh and Derry & Raphoe dioceses to meet with Thandi over an informal fork supper. All were moved and impressed by Thandi’s commitment as she spoke of the challenges facing Mothers’ Union in the Province of Southern Africa.
The ladies there meet every week and their work is focused on supporting families, especially child-headed families. This is a common situation where both parents have died of HIV/AIDS, leaving a young teenager to look after younger siblings.
Mothers’ Union members support the family in making sure they have sufficient food etc, but most importantly ensuring that the young person heading the household is able to continue their education.
Moira said: “Thandi’s account of life in Southern Africa reinforced the need for us to support their work prayerfully and financially as the ladies in that Province seek to support families in often desperate situations.
Prayer
Wondrous and loving God
We thank you for all the good things in our lives
And especially we thank you for the time we have shared together.
Amen