Message from President: Mrs Mary O’Connor
The National Council has held four successful meetings, all well attended. It has been a year of celebration and changes. Anne Donaghy handed the post of National President over to Mary O’Connor and Margaret Haughy handed the Treasurer post to Breda Kelly. We thank Anne and Margaret for their hard work and dedication and wish Mary and Breda well in their new posts. This past year we have collected £361,156 and 500euro from three northern dioceses and 101,835euro from eight southern dioceses.
It has been a great honour to be elected to the post of National President. I pray that I will continue to promote and encourage the great work that Agnes McCauley envisaged ninety five years ago.
Celebrations for ninety-five years of helping in Missionary work commenced with Mass, a meal and discussions in Holy Cross College, Clonliffe. We were delighted to have Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Father Damion McNeice and quest speaker Sally Roddy.
Father Liam Dunne and Sister Gini George have produced a short film on “Apostolic Work Ireland”, and some of the filming was taken at Clonliffe and can be watched on u tube.
Mission Sunday had a televised Mass by RTE, celebrated in the Church of St. Patrick & St. Bridgit, Clane with Father Paul O’Boyle and Deacon John Dunleavy. The large crowd attending enjoyed all aspects of the Mass. The hospitality, friendliness and hard work of the Kildare & Leighlin Dioceses were commendable.
In St. Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast Mass was celebrated with Bishop Noel Treanor, Cannon Brendan Murray, Father Martin Kavanagh and many visiting priests, sisters and members of Apostolic work from various parts of Ireland. Father Martin Kavanagh spoke of “the indispensable work of Apostolic work provides to the missions” and how important our work still is. Those attending the day all experienced a wonderful day of comradeship and new enthusiasm to continue their work.
The Museum Of Country Life, Castlebar had an exhibition called “Our Irish Women” on display in November. This was to celebrate the hidden achievements made by women both at home and internationally. The Moylough Heritage Society decided to pick their local Apostolic group to honour. As they felt this group of ladies helped their own parish and internationally with their missionary work. The Galway President, Marie Dempsey and the National President Mary O’Connor attended the opening ceremony. They felt very honoured that the ladies of Apostolic work were being recognised and publicly acknowledged for their quiet work amongst some very dynamic women.
We would like to congratulate Mrs Maureen Hughes of Chapelizod who celebrated 104yrs and is still active in Apostolic work.
May I take this opportunity to thank our Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Spiritual Directors for their guidance and help throughout the year. Thanks to the management and staff of Holy Cross College for the use of their premises and hospitality. Thanks to all the people who have helped in any way to celebrate 95yrs. I wish to thank the Diocesan Presidents for their kindness, guidance and support as I adjust to my new role. To the branch members, active and honorary, your dedication to promoting the work of mission and continuing to reach out to others will keep me striving to enable the Apostolic work to reach our one hundred years. May our patrons Christ the King, Our Lady mother of the Church, Holy women of the Gospel watch over and guide you all.
Mary O’ConnorNational President