The First Communion class met before Mass on Sunday. Nine children, aged between seven and ten, came from families with roots in Nigeria, Kerala, Mexico, Poland, the Philippines – and England, for this was a Catholic classroom in a small town in Shropshire, in the West Midlands.
I had taught Religious Education in a local state secondary school, and so put myself forward for the task of Children’s Liturgist when the previous teacher stood down after 30 years. On the first morning I arrived early, equipped with squash and chocolate biscuits, a candle to be lit for the duration of the class, individual work books, coloured pens and crayons: the tools of the trade.
