Scottish Catholic Observer

Bishop Emeritus John Mone of Paisley encouraged members of the Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) to ‘take ownership of their Faith with conviction and confidence’ at the organisation’s triennial rally on Sunday.

More than 300 members of the UCM from parishes across Scotland gathered at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee, for the rally.

Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti of Glasgow, Bishop Mone and Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the Isles were among the clergy celebrating the Mass, which also included many UCM chaplains.

Held every three years, 2013 marked the turn of Dunkeld Diocese’s UCM branch to host the rally, which had as its theme Working Together in Faith, in recognition of the Year of Faith.

Bishop Mone opened his address by focusing on the opening line of Charles Dickens’ famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities.

“The election of Pope Francis has brought calm to our troubled hearts in the Church in Scotland,” he added.

The bishop also urged UCM members to ‘defend and explain their faith’ and to be inspired by the call of Pope Francis’ predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, to ‘go on a pilgrimage of Faith.’

Agnes Long, UCM national president for Scotland said the rally was ‘an excellent success.’

Following on from the success of its triennial rally, the UCM is holding its AGM at the Conforti Institute, Coatbridge, tomorrow.

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PIC: TOM EADIE

—This story ran in full in the May 3 print edition of the SCO