Ferns

Ferns Cathedral

Dates for your Diary

Thursday 1st May
Festival & Holy Communion Service
with
Commissioning of the Diocesan President
&
Newly appointed Trustees
in
St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny
@ 7.00p.m.

Songs of Praise
St. Colman's Church, Templeshanbo
Y21 XR76
25th May @ 3.00p.m.
Everyone Wecome
Refreshments will be served in the hall after the service
The collection will be divided between Parish Funds
&
Cahel, Ferns, Ossory Mothers' Union Projects

Branch News from Ferns Area

Ardamine/Kilnamanagh: Founded 1964

Some members of the Branch attended the Mary Sumner Day celebrations at the Rectory in Bunclody in August. This was a wonderful occasion when members from all around the United Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory got an opportunity to meet up again and reconnect with their Mothers' union friends

Some members from the Branch attended the Festival Service in St. Peter's Church, Kiltegan on Monday April 8th. During the refreshments after the service , Mabel Besanson was presented with her prize for the prayer she composed to celebrate Annabella Hayes Day.

Ballycanew/Leskinfere/Monamolin: Founded 1945

A number of members from the Branch helped at the Baby Changing and Feeding facilities at the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska. This facility is greatly appreciated by parents/guardians of babies and toddlers attending the ploughing.

The Branch held an American Tea Party on Tuesday 12th March in aid of Mothers' Union projects. During the tea party Naomi Besanson received a presentation from MU members for her work as Branch Chairperson.

On Monday 15th April the Branch met in Gorey Park for a meet and walk followed by tea/coffee

The Branch enjoyed Andre Rieu's Christmas Concert in Gorey Cinema on 7th December 2024.

2025 activities began with a Holy Communion service in January

Bunclody Branch: Founded 1941

We are delighted to welcome Valerie Power and Kathleen Rothwell from the Branch on to the Trustee Board of Cashel, Ferns, Ossory Mothers' Union. The Mary Sumner Day, 9th August 2023, celebrations were hosted in the marquee at the Rectory in Bunclody. It was a lovely afternoon of fellowship, reconnecting and delicious food. Everyone enjoyed sampling the lovely cakes entered in the competition "A Victoria sponge with a Twist".

The Branch held a very successful meeting on mindfulness and self-care in early October, which was presented by Ms Catherine Callaghan.

Bunclody Branch held their Mothers' Union lunch just before Christmas in Conway's Restaurant in Kildavin. they enjoyed good food, fellowship and laughter.

Members from the Branch attended the "Big Hymn Sing" in Kilkenny

Enniscorthy Branch: Founded 1904

The Branch remains active and members often attend meetings and "get together's" organised by Killanne/Killegney Branch

Claudia Kidd organised a collection in aid of Wexford Women's Refuge. They were delighted to donate € 380 in vouchers for Dunnes Stores and Tesco along with beautiful gift sets and toys for the children.

25th March 2025 ~ The Feast of the Annunciation ~ Service in St. Mary's Church Enniscorthy @ 7.30pm to celebrate 120th Anniversary of the Mothers' Union Branch. The special preacher is The Right Revd. Adrian Wilkinson, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory ~ Click on the link to view the service which will be live streamed: St. Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy - churchmedia.ie

Ferns: Founded 1932

The Branch is currently dormant

Gorey/Hollyfort Branch: Founded 1932

Sadly, Gorey Branch is also currently dormant but we are delighted that some former members have now joined as Diocesan members and actively support Mothers' Union projects and events in the Diocese.

Killanne/Killegney Branch: Founded 1944

In January 2024 the Branch met in the home of Margaret Jacob for afternoon tea and they watch some videos that were created for the Annual Gatherings in 2022 and 2023. the branch also enjoyed watching a video of the Flower Festival held in St. Colman's Templeshanbo in 2015.

The Branch was formed eighty years ago this year and a "Big Hymn Sing" was held in St. Colman's Church, Templeshanbo, to celebrate the occasion and to raise funds for "Mums in May". During the service, which was led by Revd. Canon Trevor Sargent, long service certificates were presented to Joan Dier (60 years) and Iris Tector (58 years). The special preacher at the service was Janet Crampton and also in attendance was the Diocesan Chaplain, Revd. Ger James, and Revd. Paul Redfern, who is doing holiday duty in the Union.

The large attendance at the service sang the ten chosen hymns with gusto and they enjoyed refreshments afterwards in the parish hall. The celebration cake was cut by Joan and Iris.

St Colman's Templeshanbo held their Harvest Songs of Praise on Sunday 29th September and the collection was divided between parish funds and Mothers' Union to purchase vouchers for the Women's Refuge in Wexford. In spite of an orange weather there was a large congregation of over 100 who sang the hymns with gusto. €500 worth of vouchers have been purchased to be presented to the refuge at a later date.

The Branch held their opening service for the 2024/25 season in St. Eigneach's Church, Killegney on Monday 7th October. The service was led by Revd. Lesley Crampton and we were delighted to have two new members enrolled on the day, Mynie Leech and Janet Rothwell. A further new member, Rose Clare, is to be enrolled at a later day. A lovely meal was served in the Rectory after the service and we were delighted to welcome our new Rector's wife, Brigit Barrett to the meal. Revd. Arthur Barrett will be instituted as the new Rector on Friday 6th December at 8.00p.m. in St. Anne's Church, Killanne.

The Branch gathered in Beechdale for a lovely Afternoon Tea before Christmas. We were delighted that Joan Dier was able to join us. Sadly, Joan died just after Christmas and her witty contributions will be greatly missed at Branch Meetings.

In February 2025 the Branch met in Templeshanbo Hall when the guest speaker was Phyllis Grothier. They were joined by some members from Enniscorthy Branch & Bunclody Branch. The Rector, Revd. Arthur Barrett also joined the Branch for the meeting recounting some of his own memories of Mothers' Union from when his mother, Ann Barrett, was All Ireland President.

New Ross/Fethard-on-Sea: Founded 1952

Wexford Branch: Founded 1892