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-JOAN HODGE
I have been married to Bernard for 55 years and we have three children and six grandchildren. I am a retired Biomedical Scientist and volunteer in our local church as Sacristan, Minister of the Eucharist, and Reader.
I have been a member of the UCM for 44 years in St Teresa’s Foundation and have held office at Foundation and in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton as Secretary and Welfare Officer and have been Diocesan President on three separate occasions.
I have grown up with UCM as both my Mum and Mother-in-Law were very active members at both Parish and Diocese level.
I am on the committee of our village charity, Merstham Aid Project (MAP), that supports small charities overseas, including Marys Meals.
I enjoy gardening, reading, and knitting which lately has been baby blankets for a charity called Stripey Stork who support families in need in the area.
We both enjoy travelling, especially to Canada to visit our eldest son, daughter-in-law and two of our granddaughters who live out there.
-CATH LYDON
Born in Manchester and am the middle child of 13. I also have a twin brother. My mother was a UCM member in the Salford Diocese for over 60 years. I now live in Skelmersdale married to a Hampshire man John for 50 years and we have 3 daughters and 2 granddaughters. I was the first President of our Foundation which opened in 2013. After my 3 years as Foundation President I was asked to join the Liverpool Archdiocesan Committee and was elected as Archdiocesan Secretary. During the Pandemic I helped the National Secretary with some of the admin work which is how I became National Secretary when she had to retire early.
John and I both love cooking and entertaining so Home, kitchen, are our favourite pastimes.
-MARGARET McDONALD
My name is Margaret McDonald. I was born in Chester but now live in Liverpool. I am a retired Civil Servant.
Over the years in my parish I was a Brownie Guide Leader for 21 years, a Governor in a local school and am now a catechist for the Baptism programme, a Lay Reader and an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and the Gift Aid co-ordinator.
I am now a member of St Margaret Mary’s Foundation after the closure of St Paul’s. When I have time, I enjoy reading.
My favourite place is the Highlands of Scotland, the scenery, the silence and in the Autumn the changing colours of nature. I think about St Francis of Assisi and the way he chose to live his life and this quote from Genesis 9:16 'Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds. I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth'.
My name is Sue Bickerstaffe, and I grew up in Liverpool, the next to youngest of eight children. It was lovely having older brothers and sisters who you could talk too and looked after you
I have been your National Treasurer for 4 months and prior to this position served as Diocesan Treasurer for Liverpool for 6 years and Vice President for 2 years. I joined St Richards UCM Foundation in 2013, as a founder member, when 12 members made our commitment. This has enabled me to make new friends from across Skelmersdale and work with many people who have helped our Foundation to grow. I retired in 2013 from Lancashire County Council having worked in the financial sector in various post throughout my working life.
I am still involved in many aspects of parish life as a Eucharistic Minister and reader and catechist supporting parents and children preparing for Holy Communion and Reconciliation. I became a member of the Holy Family Lay Associates in February 2000 and served on the National Committee for six years and held the role of Treasurer during this time. I have been a school governor in our local high school and one of our primary schools in Skelmersdale for many years.
-MONICA OVEL
Married to Bill for 50 years, we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. I have a Cert Ed from LSU, Southampton, and an OU Degree in Design and Technology.
I married Bill, an RAF pilot, in 1973, and with our peripatetic lifestyle, became a professional Supply Teacher. In 1986 we went to America for three years, where I became a Catechist at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Solomon’s Island, Maryland. Back in England I prepared First Communion candidates at the Garrison Church in Larkhill, on Salisbury Plain, then in Cheshire I moved on to prepare candidates for confirmation. Through the Deanery confirmation group I was drawn into working with the Lourdes group of All Hallows School, Macclesfield; young adults aged 16+ who trained and raised money to go on the Annual Shrewsbury Diocesan Pilgrimage and assisted in caring for the sick as well as delivering some of the Liturgy.
We moved to our present home in 2011, becoming very hands on grandparents. I joined the UCM Foundation at St Joseph’s, Portishead, to meet people and soon found myself at Study Conference as a delegate.I became Diocesan Media Officer, and Diocesan President. I was elected National Vice President in 2022
I love reading. I sing with a choral society and a community choir and cantor at mass. I am on the readers’ rota. I play golf, enjoy travelling and we have visited much of Europe in our motorhome.
-MARIANN FRENCH
Joined UCM 1983 after parish priest talked about the amazing work UCM do. Until that time our weekly newsletter gave weekly activities on the work or meeting and events UCM were doing in our parish. To be honest I really didn’t think I was qualified. I have been in our parish for 50 years this year. I have been a member for 30 years as for 10 years after my son was born it was difficult to attend meetings.
Ten years on in my return the following year I became foundation president. This was such an honour and I role I really didn’t think I was capable of doing. I really only wanted to sit at the back as the top table seemed so knowledgeable. The funny story is I hadn’t told my mother I’d been made president. She called me to say her cousin in Ireland had phoned to say my photo was in the paper and I was a new president. Family always sent newspapers over to Ireland which included the UCM news. News traveled fast.
-VIVIENNE O'BYRNE
Before retiring as the Deputy Headteacher of a Catholic Primary school, I enjoyed a long, varied and extremely rewarding career, teaching every age from three to sixteen. I really loved my job but I’m now enjoying spending time with my lovely family. I have lived in Surrey for many years in the Arundel and Brighton Diocese. My husband and I recently celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary. We have four children and three grandchildren who all bring us much joy.
I have been a member of UCM for over 40 years and been President and Secretary of my own Foundation. In my roles as National Welfare Officer and Liaison Officer for Portsmouth and Westminster Dioceses it has been a great pleasure getting to know so many members of our wonderful organisation and making new friends.
Being an active member of my Parish has always been important to me and I have been a catechist for both First Holy Communion and Confirmation. I have enjoyed being part of the Children’s liturgy team and am currently supporting parents through the process of Baptism. I am a Eucharistic Minister, Reader and Welcomer and regularly write the Prayers of the Faithful. Having been commissioned for the ministry of Bereavement Support in my Diocese after completing my training. I am now the Deanery Lead for Epsom & Redhill and leader of my own Parish group. I am also part of our diocesan pastoral support team and a CAFOD School Volunteer.
I enjoy a variety of interests including swimming, Paracise and art classes. I love doing jigsaws and puzzles and when I have time I enjoy reading, particularly historical novels.
-SARAH DAVIS
Sarah Davis joined the UCM about 15 years ago having stepped down from full time work. Her introduction to the movement was a couple of pilgrimages run by the Foundation to Walsingham. They were truly inspirational. After a year in the Foundation she was “invited “ to be Foundation President, and subsequently volunteered to be Diocesan Secretary. This covered the rather demanding pandemic era, where maintaining contact with other members seemed key. She is now part of the Relaunch group whose role is to energise and augment membership in the 21st century!!!
I have 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren who all aspire to help pass the time - fantastic!!
-JEAN LOPEZ LOPEZ
Born and bred here in Loughborough. I was married in 1974 widowed in 2012. We have two children a boy and girl and our daughter has two children a boy and a girl.
I was a Civil Servant when I married and four years later decided to become a stay at home mum on the birth of our son. As the children grew I became a Playgroup Supervisor and a Registered Childminder. When my daughter started Secondary school I returned to college and updated my clerical skills and learned to use a computer. I went to work in a Community College as a P.A. to a Vice Principal until I retired. During this time I gained an NVQ Level 3 in Business Studies.
From 2008 - 2012 I was one of the catechist’s for 1st Holy Communion children.
Joined the UCM St Mary’s Loughborough Foundation 2012, served as Secretary 2016 to 2019.
Became Foundation Treasurer 2020 went into lockdown so I have done nothing much in this post.
Whilst Secretary I organised a Flower Festival in church to coincide with the Foundation 50th Anniversary.
In 2015 I became the Archivist for St Mary’s and a founder member of the Parish History Group.
In my spare time I enjoy gardening, reading, sewing and embroidery. I also attend Tai Chi classes.
