Mothers’ Union Diocesan Eucharist & Annual Festival Service With the Commissioning of Diocesan President, Mrs. Linda Ward & New Diocesan Trustees

news May 6, 2025

Mothers’ Union Diocesan Eucharist & Annual Festival Service
With the Commissioning of Diocesan President, Mrs. Linda Ward & New Diocesan Trustees
St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny
Thursday, 1st May 2025 at 7pm

A special occasion for Mothers’ Union in the Diocese took place on Thursday, 1st May, when Mrs. Linda Ward, from Castlecomer Branch, was commissioned as Diocesan President for Cashel, Ferns and Ossory at the Annual Festival Service.

A large congregation of Mothers’ Union members, friends, and family gathered in St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny for this wonderful and uplifting celebration.

Commissioning by the Bishop

Mrs. Ward was commissioned by The Rt. Revd. Adrian Wilkinson, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, who also commissioned the newly elected members of the Diocesan Trustee Board:

Diocesan Secretary – Kathleen Rothwell
Diocesan Treasurer – Joan Jackson
VP Fundraising and Communication – Phyllis Grothier
VP Action and Outreach & PRO – Margaret Jacob
Action and Outreach Coordinator – Claudia Kidd
Young Families Representative – Jackie Neale
Worldwide Representative – Lilia Harper
Safeguarding Officer – Brigid Barrett
Enterprise Representative – Elizabeth Johnston

Guests and Former Leaders

It was a joy to welcome Mr. Richard Codd (Boys’ Brigade) and Ms. Hilda Bailey (Girls Friendly Society) to the service.

We were especially honoured by the presence of Kay Clarke, All-Ireland Mothers’ Union President.

Five former Diocesan Presidents were also in attendance:

Mrs. Irene Murray
Mrs. Hazel Sherlock
Mrs. Phyllis Grothier
The Revd. Margaret Sykes
Mrs. Lesley Bayley (immediate past President, who passed the badge of office to Linda)

Thanks and Acknowledgements

The Trustee Board of Mothers’ Union in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory expresses heartfelt thanks to all who made the service meaningful:

The Revd. Ger James, Diocesan Chaplain – for compiling the service
The Very Revd. Stephen Farrell, Dean of the Cathedral – for hosting
Dr. Harry Meehan, Cathedral Organist – for the beautiful music

Liturgy and Reflections

Banner Processional Hymn – “God is here! As we his people”
First Reading – The Very Revd. Isobel Jackson, Dean of Kildare
Second Reading – The Revd. Edna Wakley
Gospel Reading – The Revd. Ger James, Diocesan Chaplain
Reflection – Revd. Canon Trevor Sargent, Unit Coordinator for Faith and Policy
Commissioning of Mrs. Linda Ward – by Bishop Adrian Wilkinson
Recommitment of Membership – led by Mrs. Linda Ward
Prayers – led by the Revd. Pat Coleman (VP Finance and Central Services) and the Revd. Margaret Sykes (VP Faith and Policy)

Fellowship and Celebration

A special word of thanks to the Kilkenny Branch of Mothers’ Union who provided and coordinated refreshments after the service. This offered a lovely opportunity for fellowship, reconnection, and celebration.

There was a strong sense of gratitude, renewal, and hope for the ongoing work of the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese.

Watch the Service

📺 If you missed the service, you can watch it here – kindly recorded by Margaret Jacob, VP Action and Outreach & PRO.

Report and Photography

📝 Report prepared by Shane Reynolds, Diocesan Communications Officer, and Margaret Jacob, Vice President for Action & Outreach and Public Relations.
📸 All photos captured by Mr. Shane Reynolds.