13/09/2026
St Thomas More Catholic School in Willenhall has been most blessed to enjoy strong links with our local parishes for many years, with parish life very much being at the centre of our school life. Our Chaplaincy and Catholic Life and Mission provision is continually enriched and strengthened by such links, and we do not underestimate how privileged we are that this is the case.
Whilst this Education Sunday marked the first round of parish visits to our school parish of St. John Henry Newman Parish in Wolverhampton, this is part of a longer established tradition whereby staff members of our Chaplaincy Team (namely Mrs Bowen, Headteacher, Mrs Seery, Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Roberts, Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Chesters, Assistant Headteacher and Mr Bowen, Lay Chaplain/Prayer and Liturgy Coordinator) visit our local parishes of both St John Henry Newman and our Walsall Parishes consisting of St Peter’s Catholic Church, Bloxwich, St Mary’s the Mount Catholic Church, Walsall, St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Walsall and St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church, Walsall.
Within these visits, we attend the celebration of Mass with the local congregation, speak at the end of Mass to update the Parishes on the work ongoing in school and thank them for their ongoing support of our ministry, and stay back after Mass to socialise with the parishioners. Where appropriate we also offer the invite out to our parents, carers and students to join us – with the children sometimes leading readings or indeed where they are already commissioned, serving on the altar. We are ever so proud of the ministry and service of our young people to our local parishes, and their commitment shown to their faith and their subsequent communities.
This weekend was no different, and our visits to the churches of the St John Henry Newman Parish aptly took place during Education Sunday (with the visits to our Walsall Parishes taking place last weekend). It was a pleasure to hear the words of His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley, speaking powerfully about the importance of the mission of Catholic Schools in serving our communities, the gift of Catholic Education, and the need for us all to see ourselves as part of something bigger than ourselves as we work together as one faith family to both serve and spread Christ’s message.
Mrs Seery, Deputy Headteacher, commented: “It was wonderful to see our children so actively involved in Mass this morning at Holy Trinity Parish Church in Bilston. Altar Serving, Reading and Singing! Thank you, Father Craig and parishioners, for the warm welcome on this Education Sunday.”
Pictured are photos from the weekend, where we celebrated and marked Education Sunday…
