17.09.2015
Role of the Mother Remains Constant Despite Huge Change in Society – Mothers’ Union Service Hears
Mothers’ Union members from all over Dublin and Glendalough filled Whitechurch Parish Church on Tuesday evening (September 15) for their annual Diocesan Festival Eucharist Service. The service was celebrated by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson and the preacher was the Bishop of Limerick, the Right Revd Kenneth Kearon.
During the service two MU members were commissioned to new areas of responsibility on the Trustee Board. Amy Hourie was commissioned as Faith and Policy Unity Coordinator and Sandra Condell was commissioned as Indoor Members Prayer Correspondent.
In his sermon, Bishop Kearon focused on the constant role of the mother in family life despite the rapid pace of change in society. He suggested that society had undergone a paradigm shift in the last 40 years, so much so that it was hard to remember what life was like just four decades ago. How did we live without mobile phones, he wondered adding that the way we engage with the world has changed.
This is even more true of families, he said. When we hear stories about a family in the Bible, we’re probably hearing about a huge tribal gathering of people who are all related in some way. When we read that Joseph and his family went down to Egypt, it probably refers to a group of over 100 people, the Bishop explained.
Through the ages the family scenario has changed. “Today we talk about a family that is very complex. There are many ways of being family today and people cope with the different ways but they are still family. Families remain a centre of care and concern in the community… The role of the mother has been a constant figure in family life across the centuries. This is what we celebrate here tonight, the role of families as a constant centre of care and concern and the role of the mother as a constant figure who keeps that family relationship together,” Bishop Kearon said.
The service was Joy Gordan’s last as Diocesan MU President. Her term comes to an end in December. Speaking after the service, she referred to the Prayer Vigil for the People of Syria which took place in Zion during which the Archbishop issued the challenge to people to welcome the refugees who come here. “Mothers’ Union will be there. We have been engaging with other organisations and there is no better organisation that Mothers’ Union to put our faith into action,” she stated.
Joy added that MU would continue their commitment to projects worldwide and suggesting increasing their response to rising violence across the world. She highlighted the forthcoming Vigil in Christ Church Cathedral which Dublin and Glendalough Mothers’ Union is organising as part of the Sixteen Days Against Gender Violence campaign. It will take place on November 28 at 3.00 pm.
The evening marked the launch of a new book of knitting and sewing patterns by the MU and Joy praised the team who put such hard work into bringing the project to fruition. The book is available from Mothers’ Union for just €4.
Joy thanked all those who had supported her over the last six years during her office of President. “It has been a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of Mothers’ Union in this diocese. You’ve never left my side and I hope I have served you well,” she said adding that she could not have done it without the tremendous support of her family.
Photo captions –
Top: Bishop Ken Kearon, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Canon Horace McKinley, the Revd David Mungavin, Joy Gordon and Amy Hourie.
Bottom: Sandra Condell, Joy Gordon and Amy Hourie.