October 24: Weaving and St. Anthony Claret

Holy Cross Catholic School sends out a weekly newsletter. This week’s newsletter said that, in the 2^nd trimester of the year, there is going to be an exciting “extracurricular” opportunity – one which is open to students in grades 3 thru 8. The extracurricular “class” will be: weaving.

Did you know that weaving is an ancient art found in cultures throughout the world? Did you know that from Egypt and Greece, to Peru and the American Southwest “artisans” have used the skill of weaving for centuries to create beautiful items like tapestries, blankets, and clothing? 

In our 2^nd trimester “class” (officially called The Art of Weaving) students will learn how to use a tabletop loom, go at their own pace, learn many techniques, and ultimately design their own creations ... like tapestries, blankets, and clothing! 

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The Church has what she calls “patron saints,” saints specially dedicated to watching over, inspiring, and helping certain people ... or things. Do you know who the patron saint of animals is? St. Francis. Do you know who the patron saint of families is? St. Joseph. How about the patron saint of Catholic Schools? Well, we are so important that the Church has given us no less than four patron saints! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Albert the Great. Maybe that is because we are so important ... or maybe we just need a lot of help!

Here’s the connection to weaving: every year on October 24th we celebrate the feastday of “the patron saint of weavers” – St. Anthony Claret! We may not know him as well as St. Francis or St. Joseph or many other saints, but his family owned a weaving company and he worked as a weaver before he became a priest and a bishop. He wrote books, preached homilies, and told stories to people ... often talking about “the Church” as a beautiful tapestry – made by “the artisan” – God! We are part of that tapestry! We are being woven together by God every day. Let’s be sure to pray today that we might live like it – always!