Monday, 09 July 2012

Iris Riley, diocesan secretary of the Union of Catholic Mothers, writes: The Union of Catholic Mothers held their annual conference once again at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire from the 21st to 23rd May.
 

The conference was presided over by our National President, Mrs Sheila Goodchild, from the Diocese of East Anglia.

Sheila is the first member from that Diocese to hold this post. Present as the Ecclesiastical Advisor to the UCM was Bishop Brain, a true friend of UCM and who enjoys these occasions tremendously. The new spiritual Advisor for the Salford members, Father Anthony Sudlow, was also able to join us for the first time. Over the first two days, reports from our national officers are read out and debated on: the debate focuses on all those things detrimental to family life and the break-down of society.

This year the big issues were the same-sex marriage debate among other things. On the third day was our AGM, when we said thank-you to retiring officers and welcomed new ones.

Salford has always done well with members holding these national positions, Mrs Maureen Hurst is the current Public Service officer, Mrs Maureen Woodward was presented with her badge as Secretary / Treasurer to the Study Welfare Days and during Mass Mrs Maureen Mayers was presented with the National Presidents Badge, a post she will hold for three years. Her husband Jack and daughter Laura were able to make the trip to join us for the occasion, in the absence of Bishop Brain (he had to return early because of other appointments) Father Sudlow did the honours and made it very special. We all wish you all the best, Maureen.