Message from Knitting Group Coordinator Lorena Schirripa
24th/25th January 2026 ~ Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Knitting for Charity
In 2024, following my recent retirement, I felt called to establish a knitting group at Lockleys as a way of connecting with our parish community through faith and service. Knitting is something I find both calming and rewarding, and I hoped it would offer others a similar sense of peace and purpose. With the support of my mother Luigina and sister Angela, I invited others to join, and the response was heartening.
Our gatherings provide a space of quiet fellowship, where the gentle, repetitive work of knitting allows time for conversation and prayer. The blankets we create are donated to those in need at Catherine House, the only women’s homelessness service providing crisis and support to enable women to recover from what has led her to homelessness, becoming a simple yet meaningful expression of Christian charity. Members of our group have commented how it has given them a purpose, reducing loneliness, boredom and given a shared goal.
Our parish knitting group continues to serve as a quiet but powerful ministry of mercy. Through the simple act of knitting blankets for those in need, we live out the Gospel call to love and serve others with compassion. Each stitch is an offering of prayer, providing warmth, comfort, and dignity to those experiencing hardship. In sharing our time and God-given talents, we reflect Christ’s love in action, remembering His words: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). May this work strengthen our faith, build community, and bring hope to those we serve.
As we look ahead, we are excited to welcome new members, begin fresh projects, and continue building on the strong foundation we have created together. Our group meets on the last Thursday of each month; our next meeting will be held on 29 January in the Church Hall.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to everyone who has generously donated wool, knitted squares, or financial contributions to help purchase supplies. Your kindness and support make this ministry possible, and without your generosity we could not continue. We are always grateful for further donations, which help keep our needles moving and our hands busy in service to others.
Lorena