On 31st October, in St Mary & All Saints’ Church, Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes, the parish’s new Mothers’ Union banner was blessed by the Rector, the Rev’d Paul Arbuthnot. This was a part of the Patronal Festival Eucharist for All Saints’ Day in Glanmire.

The banner was presented by three long serving members of the branch from each of the churches in the parish: John Sweetnam (Glanmire), June Bollard (Cobh), and Sandra Carson (Little Island). Much of the needlework on the banner was completed by Shirley Walkin, a churchwarden in Christ Church, Rushbrooke (Cobh).

Mrs Hilary Dring, the Diocesan President of the Mothers’ Union was in attendance. She addressed the congregation, updating them on the work that the Mothers’ Union is doing across the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. At the end of the service, the Branch President of the Mothers’ Union, Mrs Hazel Sweetnam, thanked all those who had worked on the banner and who sustain the life of the Mothers’ Union in the parish. The service also coincided with the parish’s annual Gift Day, which raised vital funds to sustain the life and witness of the parish in the community.

The Rev’d Paul Arbuthnot commented:

The Mothers’ Union is very much the heartbeat of our parish life. We are all very grateful to Hazel Sweetnam, our Branch President, for all the work she does in coordinating the Mothers’ Union in this parish. The new banner is testament to the skill of those who made it, and to the lively faith which exudes from the branch members. Also, on this our Gift Day and Patronal Festival, we give high and hearty thanks to God for all members of our parish, for all that has been, all that is, and all that is to come.