Benemerenti for Hatfield Parishioner

On Sunday 23rd April, Bishop Paul McAleenan presented Mrs Linda Graham, a parishioner at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Hatfield, with the Benemerenti medal and a parchment from Pope Francis for her contributions to the Catholic Church and Catholic Education.
Linda has been a Foundation Governor since 1996, initially at St Philip Howard Catholic Primary School, Hatfield, and then at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School, St Albans until August 2016. As Chair of Governors at Nicholas Breakspear, Linda was proactive in raising standards across the school to support the move from ‘Special Measures’ to ‘Good’ in record time, as evidenced by both diocesan inspection in May 2016 and Ofsted inspection in June 2016.
Linda has been a First Holy Communion catechist at St Peter’s for over 15 years and has also led the First Holy Communion programme at neighbouring Marychurch for the last two years. In this vital role in the Church she has supported over 400 young children in the development and deepening of their faith, giving her time and energy freely. Linda has also serves her parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Linda commented: ‘I am absolutely delighted and highly honoured to receive this award.  When I moved to Hatfield I attended Mass at St Peter’s and on my first visit I knew I wanted to be part of this wonderful community. I wanted to help in any way possible and got involved as a catechist preparing children to receive their First Communion. It is the children who make it fun and so enjoyable.
‘I have also been privileged to work with two wonderful schools whose aims are to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. My role as a governor is to support and challenge the headteachers to ensure that we give every child the best chance possible. I would highly recommend any parent wishing to support their child’s school to become involved in either being a governor or joining the PTA/Friends. All schools need support, now more than ever due to the financial cut-backs schools are facing. The rewards are great in knowing that you are helping the next generation