PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
These are a few of the ministry members who generously give their time and talents to create beautiful works of comfort for those in need. Below is a sampling of their creations and their effects.
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A Bit of History...
In 2010, I met a stranger who was asking for a headboard that she needed for an upcoming surgery. I reached out to her because I thought, if anything I could give her some comfort in knowing that someone cared enough to give her support. I even picked her up at her home and took her to lunch where I let her get out all her anguish. I heard she was Catholic and that she went to Marion but felt God had abandoned her because her grandmother and mother had both died of the same necessary surgery. I sought out a Parish that had a Prayer Shawl Ministry and obtained a Prayer Shawl for her. When I placed it on her shoulders, a tidal wave of tears came. I prayed with her and for her and now she attends Mass regularly and even was instrumental in starting a Prayer Shawl Ministry at her parish. While I was in our chapel praying for her, I heard someone as clear as a bell tell me that I needed to start a Prayer Shawl Ministry at this parish.
I approached our pastor and asked why we didn't have a ministry here at St. James the Greater? The look on his face told me he thought I was Jewish! He went on to tell me to get him the information and, "I will make a decision on it." I researched and researched even more. I printed out the pertinent information and handed it to him after Mass. The next week, I asked if he had a chance to look through the information and he said he had misplaced it, but it would be okay on a trial basis. I did not know how to knit or crochet, but I knew God would supply me with what I needed.
Getting all the particulars in place for our first meeting late in February of 2011, we had 4 ladies show up. I went home and prayed, "Lord, if you want this, you need to help me out!" More members signed up and at one point our Ministry had 40 members!
The reason for the Prayer Shawl Ministry is to give not only a gift of our handmade loving creations, but to reach out to people we don't even know to let them know not only do we love them as a brother or sister, but God loves them, too. I feel that if I got a gift that was handmade from a perfect stranger, I would be elated and my spirit lifted up enough to thank God!
I approached our pastor and asked why we didn't have a ministry here at St. James the Greater? The look on his face told me he thought I was Jewish! He went on to tell me to get him the information and, "I will make a decision on it." I researched and researched even more. I printed out the pertinent information and handed it to him after Mass. The next week, I asked if he had a chance to look through the information and he said he had misplaced it, but it would be okay on a trial basis. I did not know how to knit or crochet, but I knew God would supply me with what I needed.
Getting all the particulars in place for our first meeting late in February of 2011, we had 4 ladies show up. I went home and prayed, "Lord, if you want this, you need to help me out!" More members signed up and at one point our Ministry had 40 members!
The reason for the Prayer Shawl Ministry is to give not only a gift of our handmade loving creations, but to reach out to people we don't even know to let them know not only do we love them as a brother or sister, but God loves them, too. I feel that if I got a gift that was handmade from a perfect stranger, I would be elated and my spirit lifted up enough to thank God!
Our Prayer Shawls have been mailed to several states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin! In 2011, when the ministry started, we did 41 Prayer Shawls. In 2012 we did 53, in 2013 we gifted out 82, and in 2014, 79.
We then partnered with Vitas Hospice in 2014 and our numbers jumped up in 2015 to 232 items gifted out! Working with Vitas, we made Fidget Bears for the memory care patients, Fleece Tied Blankets, and Patient Belonging Bags for their final trip home before their new life. We also provide Prayer Shawls to the Cancer Infusion Center at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. Our numbers still grew and in 2016 we gifted out 225. In 2017, the gifts presented hit 240 with love and blessings, and in 2018, 228 blessed gifts went on their way.
Partnering with Vitas Hospice, we also acknowledged the need for Little Angel Receiving Blankets or LARBs. These are handmade knit, crocheted or quilted small blankets, no smaller than 24", presented for the Spiritual Care Closure and for bereavement of the loss of an infant. With the knowledge that the parents need closure and something to hold the child in, we decided with the help of Vitas to make these LARBs. They are washed in hypoallergenic detergent and kept sterile as requested by the hospitals. Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois, has a special service especially for these parents to help with the grieving process.
So far in 2019 we have gifted out 50+ assorted creations and our total numbers are over 1,220. That is called DETERMINATION!
No special skills are needed for either Ministry, and we NEVER have a personal quota. There are no dues or meeting requirements. We hold one meeting each month for each Ministry, where we socialize and share love. We teach and share our talents with whomever wants to pass the blessings along or pay it forward. That's called DEVOTION!
We then partnered with Vitas Hospice in 2014 and our numbers jumped up in 2015 to 232 items gifted out! Working with Vitas, we made Fidget Bears for the memory care patients, Fleece Tied Blankets, and Patient Belonging Bags for their final trip home before their new life. We also provide Prayer Shawls to the Cancer Infusion Center at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. Our numbers still grew and in 2016 we gifted out 225. In 2017, the gifts presented hit 240 with love and blessings, and in 2018, 228 blessed gifts went on their way.
Partnering with Vitas Hospice, we also acknowledged the need for Little Angel Receiving Blankets or LARBs. These are handmade knit, crocheted or quilted small blankets, no smaller than 24", presented for the Spiritual Care Closure and for bereavement of the loss of an infant. With the knowledge that the parents need closure and something to hold the child in, we decided with the help of Vitas to make these LARBs. They are washed in hypoallergenic detergent and kept sterile as requested by the hospitals. Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois, has a special service especially for these parents to help with the grieving process.
So far in 2019 we have gifted out 50+ assorted creations and our total numbers are over 1,220. That is called DETERMINATION!
No special skills are needed for either Ministry, and we NEVER have a personal quota. There are no dues or meeting requirements. We hold one meeting each month for each Ministry, where we socialize and share love. We teach and share our talents with whomever wants to pass the blessings along or pay it forward. That's called DEVOTION!
Mission Statement: To show a tangible example of God's love for those who are going through difficult times.
Meetings are usually held the second Tuesday of the month for the Queen of Heaven Quilters Ministry and the third Tuesday of the month for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. There is a calendar provided when you join and updated when necessary by the email newsletter issued every Friday.
The meetings are normally held in the classroom adjacent to the office at 1:00 PM and last to about 3:30-4:00 PM.
The meetings are normally held in the classroom adjacent to the office at 1:00 PM and last to about 3:30-4:00 PM.
To see the official Guidelines for the Queen of Heaven Quilters & Prayer Shawl Ministries , click here.
Here are just some of the works that have been created and donated so far.
Use the button below to see some of the stories and results of the love and comfort
of the gifts created, donated and gifted by the Ministry members.
of the gifts created, donated and gifted by the Ministry members.
