Competitions

COMPETITION TIME

Over the last year Mothers' Union has organised several competitions at All-Ireland level to engage and keep connected with members. This page is dedicated to all of the competitions to date.

Photographic Competition

Please go to the Gallery Page to see slideshows of all of the

photographs submitted for this competition

Poetry Competition

Click on the image above to access the winning, highly commended and commended poems

Winners & Highly Commended in

The Christmas Card Competition

Mascot & Logo Competition for Mums in May

Below are the results of the Mascot and Logo Competition for Mums in May 2021. Our thanks to Irene Boyd for organising judges for this competition and our congratulations to all of the winners and highly commended. The winners and highly commended are featured below and there is a slide show of all of the entries submitted at All-Ireland level.

Mascot Competition Winner

Margaret Reilly

Derryloran MU ~ Armagh Diocese

Mascot Competition ~ Highly Commended

Dorothy Langley

Cashel MU ~ Cashel, Ferns, Ossory

Mascot Competition ~ Highly Commended

Joan Blake

Ballycanew, Leskinfere, Monamolin MU ~ Cashel, Ferns, Ossory

Logo Competition Winner

Valerie Cathcart

Christ Church MU ~ Connor Diocese

Logo Comnpetition ~ Highly Commended

Sylvia Allen-Hamilton

Raphoe MU ~ Derry & Raphoe

Logo Competition Highly Commended ~

Alison McCoy

Kilmocomogue MU ~ Cork, Cloyne & Ross

Rear View of the Winning Mascot

Enjoy the slideshow of all of the

Mascots & Logos

for

Mums in May 2021

that were submitted for judging at

All-Ireland level

Highly Commended Hymns:

Joan Robinson (Dungiven and Boveagh Mothers’ Union) ~ Derry & Raphoe Diocese

Hymn: “Have you troubles, strife and sorrow”

Tune: St Nicholas (Redhead No. 143) [ICH, Hymn 584 “Jesus calls us! O’er the tumult”]

Margaret Rowlandson (Templemore Mothers’ Union) ~ Derry & Raphoe Diocese

Hymn: “Counting my blessings”

Tune: Bunessan [ICH, Hymn 58 “Morning has broken”]

Dean Tom Gordon (Leighlin Mothers’ Union) ~ Cashel, Ferns & Ossory Diocese

Hymn: “God who is Father of infinite goodness”

Tune: Faithfulness [ICH Hymn 80 “Great is thy faithfulness”]

Violet Lockhart (Ballisodare Union Mothers’ Union) ~ Tuam, Killala & Achonry Diocese

Hymn: “O Lord our God, we thank you now”

Tune: Amazing Grace [ICH Hymn 642 “Amazing grace (how sweet the sound!)”]

Highly Commended Prayers:

Joyce Buttimer (Clonakilty Mothers’ Union) ~ Cork, Cloyne & Ross Diocese

Sylvia Wheatley (Newbridge Mothers’ Union) ~ Meath & Kildare Diocese

Gill Mc Cullough (Aghadowey Mothers’ Union) ~ Derry & Raphoe Diocese

Linda Hughes (Christ Church, Culmore, Muff and St Peter’s Mothers’ Union) ~ Derry & Raphoe Diocese

Tune: St. Nicholas (Redhead No. 143)

Have you troubles, strife and

As you journey on this

Take it all to Christ our

Give to him your heavy

Just remember what He taught

How to live a life in

Faith and hope held high before

Love to cover every

Aim to let His work sustain

Read it, let it be your

Steadfast in our daily

Lean on Him and there

When life’s journey’s nearly

Rest in Him, your peace

Just remember His great

I’ve prepared a place for

Spread the word in

Tell the work of God’s great

Join together, one in

Praise and thanks to God above

Tune of "Morning has Broken"

Counting my blessings

With every new day

Lifts up my spirits

Come what may

When dark clouds gather

Hiding the sunlight

Counting my blessings

Makes the world bright

Counting my blessings

Beauty surrounds me

Grace heals my spirit

So profoundly

Life so abundant

All hope renewing

God’s love protects us

Under his wing

Sharing my blessings

Such is the bounty

Goodness and beauty

All around me.

Sharing with strangers

Or those I love best

Sharing my blessings

I am twice blessed

Tune: Great is Thy Faithfulness

God who is Father of infinite goodness,

God who is Mother and called us to birth,

God, who in Christ, broke the chains that had bound

Freed us for kindness, for joy and for

God of all tenderness. God of all tenderness
Grace overflowing which reaches to all.
Bread for our hunger, rich wine at your banquet,
Each has a place who responds to your

God who is Spirit, expectant before

Raise from our brokenness beauty and

From the dry bones of our sin and

Mould us in gentleness born from above. Refrain.

Break through the times when we limit your

Rise like the sun beaming measureless

Help us with joy to proclaim love’s

All now are welcome in Jesus’ embrace. Refrain.

Tune : Amazing Grace

O Lord our God we thank you now,

For all that you have done.

For seasons as they come and go,

They show us your great love.

As Spring comes in and days stretch out,

New life in all we see.

The birds sing sweetly in the trees,

And wake us from our dreams.

The Summer comes with all its glow,

And nature all unfolds.

As carers of your world help us,

Be steadfast here below.

The harvest faithfully comes round,

Our crops all gathered in.

Reminds us what our aim should be,

To help out those in need.

In Winter as the floods increase,

Your rainbow in the sky.

Tells us of your great promise Lord,

Your power and love divine.

Highly Commended Prayers:

O loving Lord, you walked this earth and showed us the way to be, to live and to love.

We have your Holy Spirit now to guide us, help us to accept that guidance

that we may come at last to our eternal home in Jesus name. Amen.

Joyce Buttimer

Dear Lord,

We thank you for Supporting us during these challenging times. It hasn’t been easy but you are always there walking beside us.

We thank you for your Assistance in helping the Scientists and Manufacturers in making the Vaccine;

the frontline workers for their dedication and love when looking after everyone who is ill at this time.

When we needed a friend you were always there helping us through the periods of Isolation, giving us hope and Optimism when we felt lonely and discouraged.

We thank you for your Unfailing love at all times;

that through the death and Resurrection of your beloved son,

Jesus Christ, we can look forward to eternal life with you.

Father you are our SAVIOUR and friend. Amen.

Sylvia Wheatley

Dear Lord

We give you all our thanks and praise

For all you provide during our earthly days

For health and home, family and friends

From life’s beginning to its end.

Your love and care in our springtide season

Nurturing the young in truth and reason

A home of love and discipline

Respect for others with Christ as king.

Your faithfulness and promise in summer days

Guidance received in study and play

Building relationships to share with others

From student cares to becoming mothers.

Your direction as the autumn paths we tread

Your comfort and peace in the days ahead

A heart of prayer and a soul content

Memories and reflections of days well spent.

The winter years of our earthly existence

Days filled with gratitude and patience

As we ponder on a life near done

And anticipate the heavenly crown thus won.

You placed us all in our own small sphere

To help, encourage and support those near

To God Eternal, Father, Saviour, Friend

In all our lives your service spend.

Amen

Gill Mc Cullough

Lord, as we come to the end of another day, we bring before you all the things that have happened today……that may cause a restless sleep.

We pray for ourselves……calm the confusion and disruptions that may have held us back and made us forget to make time for you.

We pray for family and friends that may be worried or anxious, may they feel your presence with them bringing calm and order into all their fear or distress……and bring peace to troubled minds.

We pray for all who are suffering from illness, from loneliness or are lost in grief and sorrow……be with them during long nights and endless days and may they know your healing and your comfort in their lives.

Lord, we leave our prayers with you and in faith know that you will answer our prayers and trusting in the love you have for us, answer them in a way that will be best for ourselves and those we pray for.

Amen

Linda Hughes