11.09.2013
Times Change But Mothers’ Union Still Has Role in Today’s High Pressure Society – All Ireland President States
Mothers’ Union has a huge amount to offer through reaching out to communities where families live with the burden of stress at work and financial pressure, MU All Ireland President Phyllis Grothier has stated.
Speaking at the Dublin and Glendalough Mothers’ Union Diocesan Festival Eucharist which was celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackson in St Patrick’s Church in Greystones yesterday evening (Tuesday September 10), Mrs Grothier said there were issues facing everyone in society today that could not be overcome by “donning a pinny and putting a few coins in the overseas jam jar”.
She added that while some might argue that Mothers’ Union might be better sticking to the tea and tray bakes, that approach would not be staying true to the spirit of the organisation which she said had a role in getting involved in contemporary debates on issues such as abortion and the over–sexualisation of children.
The theme of the service was ‘Seeds We Sow’ and Mrs Grothier noted that it was over 135 years since Mary Somner had sown the seeds of Mothers’ Union. She said this was in an era when the parish hall was the social centre, church attendance was a given and mothers generally worked in the home. Mothers’ Union was a social outlet and was socially valuable. However, she said today things were different and she asked if the organisation was relevant in parishes, if they were making a difference or “would anyone notice if Mothers’ Union quietly slipped away?”
The president said she believed passionately that Mothers’ Union was making a difference at home and abroad through its many programmes. “Perhaps the time has come to look seriously at out own allotment and how Mothers’ Union allows us to grow personally and in faith… Do we share what we do with our parishes or are we the best kept secret in the parish?” she wondered urging members to work together to sow and grow that the harvest may be pleasing to the Lord.
During the service the rector of Greystones, the Revd David Mungavin, was commissioned as Diocesan Chaplain to the Mothers’ Union by Archbishop Jackson. The Archbishop thanked the previous chaplain, the Revd Paul Houston, for all the work he had done with Mothers’ Union. He also thanked Mrs Grothier for her challenging and thought provoking address.
Photo Caption: Dublin and Glendalough’s new Diocesan Chaplain to the Mothers’ Union, the Revd David Mungavin with Diocesan President, Joy Gordon.