RECRUITMENT
YOUR UCM NEEDS YOU!

The UCM needs you

NATIONAL VACANCIES

Would you like to be more involved?
You may be just the person we need.

National Welfare Officer
Co-ordinate nationally, the work of the 4th Object by offering support and guidance, to Diocesan Welfare Officers.
To work and communicate with other church,voluntary and statutory groups that deal with issues such as mariage, family,employment,
health, housing and community.
Work closely with the Study Days Committee
Link between National Committee and the National Holiday & Rest Home Committee.

Co-ordinator Study Days
The Co-or dinator chairs the National Study Days
Books and liaises with the speaker(s)

National Minuting Secretary
To take and type up the Minutes of the UCM National Council currently held in May and the Executive Meeting held in October,
a recording device will be availalbe to assist with accuracy.

National Council of Women Representatives
Science & Technology - Knowledge, experience or training in science and technology is needed.
Health - Knowledge, experience or training in health related matters.
All applications to be in by 23rd November 2009

All the positions mentioned are appointed posts which are reviewed annually; the maximum period in post is 5 years.

Any member is eligible to apply

If you are interested please contact the National Secretary
Mrs Angela Batey, 27 Beechburn Road, Roby, Liverpool L36 4NE

emailangela.batey@internet.com

The Decline and Recovery of The Union of Catholic Mothers

The UCM members went to meetings when it was fine.
But it started raining, then there was nine.
Nine UCM members fell out with Kate,
She would not come again, then there was eight.
Eight UCM members on the road to heaven,
One went to weight watvhers, then there was seven.
Seven UCM members had the urge to mix,
But one kept to herself, then there were six.
Six UCM members kept the foundation alive
'til one bought a vido, then there were five.
Five UCM members loyal to the core.
The president upset one, then there were four.
Four UCM members argued heatedly
Over the constitution, then there were three.
Three UCM members heard capitation fees were due,
One refused to pay them, then there were two.
Two UCM members disputed who should run
The next social Evening, then there was one.
One FAITHFUL member knowing what to do,
Got a friend to come along with her, then there were two.
Two SINCERE members each brought in one more,
So their members were doubled, then there was four.
Four CARING members simply could not wait
To go and find four others, then there were eight.
Eight EAGER members praying and working for others,
By their good example, swelled the ranks of mothers.
More and More at every meeting, joining in all we do,
God give them grace and zeal to keep them ever true.
True to The Union of Catholic Mothers whose lives are forever - devoted to others

Onward Christian Soldiers

This is a rallying call - if members don't respond - like old soldiers we will not die but just fade away!!

When I joined The UCM nearly three decades ago, nationally we had around 20.000 members. Can we get back to that? - I thinl not. What a pity when women still have so much to offer to the world.

Since 1913 members, directed and led by the National Committee, worked hard to biuld up The UCM and rely on us now to carry on the legacy they left us; the fight to have the voice of women heard; to be included in debates and discussions affecting women and the family; to uphold family values in our society that are being eroded on a daily basis.

How seious it all sounds, yes that part is, but UCM life was also to include socialising and having fun, we were to support each other, to pray together, to nuture our faith, we were to be ready to help, in a practical way, any who were in distress.

In the words of Mother Teresa "we can do no great things, only little things with great love. You can do what I can't do.

I can do what you can't do. together we can do something beautiful for God".

God calls us to do His work whist we are here on earth and what better way than to do it with the support, love and friendship found in The Union of Catholic Mothers.

If each member made an effort to encourage one person to come to a meeting and join the Foundation our numbers would double in the next 12 months. those outside The UCM don't know what they are missing. It is therefore up to us, inside The UCM, to take the responsibility of making it known to them. So how do we start?

Our National President has asked us to make this a year of Recruitment, looking for new members to rewinvigorate that we set our store by. With this in mind I reached for the dictionary and found an archaic meaning of the verb to recruit - to recover in health or strength; to recover one's own health and strength. Do we need to recover some of our enthusiasm? Have we become complacent in our self-contentment? Do we take for granted that others know of the great things that we do, how we nurture our faith and foster friendships that bind us so lovingly together?

Our National Officers are busy keeping us informed of events in the wider world - do we act on them? We need to make our feelings known on issues that cause us distress. Are we as Catholic women not appalled by the ease of access to abortion, or of the dangers of the Mental Incapacity Act? We must all know the vulnerability of many frail and elderly people in care homes and hospitals. Will we actively support"Home is a holy Place?"

Do we know our MP's and inform them of our concerns? It has been women's role through time to empower others, to make grow. to make clean and to make new again. If we can say 'Aye' to these questions then make haste NOW to contact parish priests and offer the wonderful news of our work and ethos. Then those members should soon be flocking to us. Please let your voice be the one that tells them.

Margaret McNicholas and Sheilagh Preston

Past National Presidents



For further information or to join, please contact:

National Secretary: Angela Batey

angela.batey@btinternet.com

Tel Number 0151 4895144