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Prayer Shawl Ministry Provides Recipients with a “Hug From God"
Many in our parishes find knitting or crocheting to be a great way to pass the time. We can use that gift — that stewardship talent — for good at our parishes through the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Lap blankets or shawls are made and passed on to parishioners or family members of parishioners experiencing a serious or terminal illness.
Kate Connelly, a St. Michael parishioner who leads the Prayer Shawl Ministry, loves the meaning behind this ministry and how it can be a hug from ministry members and from God. She also enjoys making the shawls, as it is a good way to pass the time and wind down in the evening.
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“The shawl is like a hug from God and a hug from the person who made it,” Kate says.
The shawls or lap blankets are blessed by Fr. Antony before Kate distributes them, along with a prayer card and a letter. As the card reads, “You hold in your hands a prayer shawl. It was made for you with prayerful hands and a prayer-filled heart to help you feel warm and loved — a heartfelt hug... May God bless you and bring you peace. May His grace and comfort fill in you in your time of need. And may you find the mystery of God in your life.”
In the future, Kate hopes to gather the group of volunteers to work together on the shawls or blankets. For now, they are completed from home by volunteers. Kate knows how much a handmade item can mean to someone going through an illness.
“We receive a lot of positive comments,” Kate says. “The recipients realize that someone really cares. I hope it makes them reconsider Who is up there and what life is about. God is watching over us.”
Marilyn Sheef initiated this ministry after visiting her sister who was doing a similar ministry at her parish. Marilyn brought the idea back to our parish community, and the ministry was founded. Funnily enough, Marilyn didn’t know how to knit or crochet at the time!
Marilyn is thankful she started this ministry and that she can contribute to those going through a difficult time.
“I love the sense of comfort this provides and praying for someone in need,” she says.
The shawls or lap blankets are blessed by Fr. Antony before they are distributed, along with a prayer card and a letter.
“Consider yourself hugged” — this message to a prayer shawl recipient extends the warmth, fellowship and love that is at the heart of this wonderful ministry.
This card features a special message from the ministry, as well as the Prayer of Comfort.
This card features a special message from the ministry, as well as the Prayer of Comfort.
This prayer shawl card features a painting and some words on “The Legend of the Dogwood Tree.”
This prayer shawl card features a painting and some words on “The Legend of the Dogwood Tree.”
