It was with a certain delight that MU members travelled to Holy Trinity Church, Westport for their Diocesan Service as it could not take place in Galway last year due to the Covid Restrictions of the time. There had not being a Mothers’ Union Service in the church for many long years and in fact there is no MU branch in the area.
The relatively newly appointed rector, Canon Jennifer McWhirter is the All-Ireland MU PRO for the South of Ireland and was to be commissioned not only as the Diocesan Chaplain but also as a Diocesan Vice President so the Trustees and Diocesan Council decided that it would be an innovative idea to hold the event on her patch, while abiding by all the necessary current precautionary restrictions.
In the presence of several clergy along with members, friends and the Diocesan President Myrtle Nairn, Bishop Patrick Rooke commissioned Canon Jen as well as Heather Sherlock and Audrey Moore as vice presidents. He also commissioned Ann Nethaway as Diocesan Coordinator for the Fundraising and Communications Unit.
The theme “Rebuilding Hope and Confidence” was reflected in the address by Canon Jen and in the prayers led by Myrtle.
Even though indulgence in the customary cup of tea afterwards could not take place there was joyful masked social interaction in beautiful sunshine as the people had not seen each other in the flesh for quite some time.
Thanks are due to the parishioners and churchwardens of Westport parish for their welcome as well as overseeing the sanitising, social distancing and seating arrangements in the church.