NATIONAL PRESIDENT

- EILEEN ROGERS PRIEST

I was born in Hillingdon in Middlesex.  I moved to Birmingham with my parents when I was 6 months old.   I am the oldest of 3, I have two younger brothers.  My middle brother I am his carer.    My Mum is a UCM Member and has been in the UCM for over 40 years in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

 I have been married to Mick for 29 years.  We have two daughters.   I joined my Foundation at St John Fisher, West Heath where I would assist with helping the meeting and any computer tasks that needed doing.   I went along to my first Diocesan meeting and was explaining to someone about hoe emails work.  I was then approached by the Diocesan President and Secretary to see if I would apply for Diocesan Secretary, which I did.   I then became Diocesan President a role I held for 6 years and thoroughly enjoyed.my time and it gave me the confidence to go forward and to apply formally for the position of National President.

 I am very active in my Parish as a Eucharistic Minister, Children’s liturgy and Sacramental Preparation for Children, Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation along with the Children’s parents

 When I have spare time II enjoy going on holiday, reading, swimming and spending quality time with my family. And walking my dog.

NATIONAL DEPUTY PRESIDENT

- 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.

NATIONAL SECRETARY

- 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.

NATIONAL TREASURER

- SUE BICKERSTAFFE

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.

NATIONAL WELFARE OFFICER

- 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 am 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.

NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICER

- 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!!

NATIONAL MEDIA OFFICER

- 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.