Catholic Ethos and Practical Skills

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Lichfield has recently acquired a beautiful new altar cover which has been produced in-house by two parent volunteers and children at their Friday afternoon sewing club.

The cover fits neatly over the top, front and sides of the altar, protecting it when not in use for the regular Masses. It is brightly coloured and has several brightly coloured motifs with a central red cross.

The club is led by Mrs Chadwick and Mrs Roberts, who have engaged the children in this work over 12 months.

In this way the pupils have developed practical skills in the context of the Catholic life of the school, and learnt to appreciate the significance of the altar. The children have responded enthusiastically to the challenge of the work and are rightly proud of the finished product.

Fr Anthony Dykes, the parish priest of Lichfield, was asked to bless the cover after the whole school Mass on Tuesday 30 January.

He commented on the outstanding quality of the children’s work and congratulated them together with the staff and headteacher, Mrs McLeary.

Parishioners also present at the Mass admired the work of the school’s sewing group and the skills which are evident.