The Union of Catholic Mothers - Hednesford

A parish group for Catholic women to support each other through prayer, encouragement and the life of the parish.

The UCM meet fortnightly to pray and plan events for the parish.

 Aims and Objectives

1.  To help Catholic women to

     appreciate the sacramental

     character, responsibilities and

     permanence of marriage and to

     live in unselfish love, observing

     the laws of God and his Church.

2.  To assist them to bring up their

     children as practicing Catholics

     and public-spirited citizens

3.  To teach and defend Christian

     values in  family life and to ensure

    for their children Catholic education.

4.  To offer love, sympathy and

     practical help to the family in

     difficulty.

5.  To foster vocations in Life,

     especially in Christian Marriage

     and Family Life and in the

     Priesthood and Religious Life.

History of the UCM

In 1913, Mrs Joseph Chichester was instrumental in starting the work of The UCM on her property, Calverleigh, near Tiverton, Devon. Ethelreda was the youngest daughter of a family of 12, six boys and six girls. For many years prior to 1913 there had been anxiety concerning the spiritual and moral conditions in many parts of England, especially in rural districts.

It was this state of affairs which led to the inauguration of the Anglican Mothers' Union. It was this that suggested the desirability of forming a similar Society on Catholic lines, which might prove a real service to the Church. With the help of her sister, Agnes, she drew up a scheme for a Union of Catholic Mothers and together they wrote the 'UCM Prayer', which received an indulgence from Cardinal Bourne and later from the Holy Father. Both the scheme and the prayer were submitted to the Archbishop of Birmingham who gave his sanction and approval. This was soon endorsed by the Hierarchy.

In 1913, at a meeting in Leeds, the CWL received the mandate from His Eminence Cardinal Bourne entrusting the carrying out of the scheme to the Catholic Women's League. The Cardinal considered that the UCM had something of its own to contribute - the insistence on the sacramental character and permanence of marriage, a Catholic education for their children and their training as public spirited citizens; and their active share of good works in the world, combined with a deep spiritual culture.

Ethelreda's mother, Lady Catherine Berkeley was the first UCM President, but it was a Mrs Radcliffe who came from Birmingham, and was elected as UCM President there, who became the most enthusiastic and energectic organiser. It was due to her that the work of The UCM took root.

The original groups were in Bath, Birmingham, Boscombe, Brighton, Cambridge, Hartlepool, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Salford and Woverhampton.

It was not until 1923 that The UCM was reorganised, although even then the formation of a foundation needed the consent of the local CWL.

At the time there were 22 foundations in Birmingham and 11 elsewhere. In 1927 there were 63 foundations, and in 1930 there were 105. By Easter 1935 this had increased to 205 around the country, with an approximate membership of 24,000. Martha Thornley who was President from 1930 to 1933 wrote: "Our Mothers have always given me their unfailing loyalty and devotion. When I was glad they rejoiced with me, when I was ill or in sorrow they prayed with me."

Dates may have changed but the loving family of The UCM is the same as it ever was.

In 1913, Mrs Joseph Chichester was instrumental in starting the work of The UCM on her property, Calverleigh, near Tiverton, Devon. Ethelreda was the youngest daughter of a family of 12, six boys and six girls. For many years prior to 1913 there had been anxiety concerning the spiritual and moral conditions in many parts of England, especially in rural districts.

It was this state of affairs which led to the inauguration of the Anglican Mothers' Union. It was this that suggested the desirability of forming a similar Society on Catholic lines, which might prove a real service to the Church. With the help of her sister, Agnes, she drew up a scheme for a Union of Catholic Mothers and together they wrote the 'UCM Prayer', which received an indulgence from Cardinal Bourne and later from the Holy Father. Both the scheme and the prayer were submitted to the Archbishop of Birmingham who gave his sanction and approval. This was soon endorsed by the Hierarchy.

In 1913, at a meeting in Leeds, the CWL received the mandate from His Eminence Cardinal Bourne entrusting the carrying out of the scheme to the Catholic Women's League. The Cardinal considered that the UCM had something of its own to contribute - the insistence on the sacramental character and permanence of marriage, a Catholic education for their children and their training as public spirited citizens; and their active share of good works in the world, combined with a deep spiritual culture.

Ethelreda's mother, Lady Catherine Berkeley was the first UCM President, but it was a Mrs Radcliffe who came from Birmingham, and was elected as UCM President there, who became the most enthusiastic and energectic organiser. It was due to her that the work of The UCM took root.

The original groups were in Bath, Birmingham, Boscombe, Brighton, Cambridge, Hartlepool, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Salford and Woverhampton.

It was not until 1923 that The UCM was reorganised, although even then the formation of a foundation needed the consent of the local CWL.

At the time there were 22 foundations in Birmingham and 11 elsewhere. In 1927 there were 63 foundations, and in 1930 there were 105. By Easter 1935 this had increased to 205 around the country, with an approximate membership of 24,000. Martha Thornley who was President from 1930 to 1933 wrote: "Our Mothers have always given me their unfailing loyalty and devotion. When I was glad they rejoiced with me, when I was ill or in sorrow they prayed with me."

Dates may have changed but the loving family of The UCM is the same as it ever was.