MARY GALLOWAY remembers giving a prayer shawl to a fellow parishioner at St. Kilian Catholic Church, who had recently lost her husband. Galloway was touched at the emotional response she later received from the woman.
MEMBERS OF ST. KILIAN’S PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY POSE TOGETHER DURING A KNITTING SESSION AT THE MISSION VIEJO CATHOLIC CHURCH ON JAN. 8. PHOTO BY JEFF ANTENORE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“She told us she wrapped herself up in the shawl and slept in it every night after her husband died,” Galloway recalled.
A blessing is included with each shawl that reads in part, “when wrapped in your shawl, God is holding you in his loving embrace.”
That is the notion that has kept the Shawl Ministry at St. Kilian going strong for the past decade. Galloway said it is rare, but deeply gratifying, for shawl ministry members to receive feedback.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEMBERS DITAS SAYTHER, LEFT, AND JENNIFER PHAM HOLD UP THE SHAWLS THEY ARE WORKING ON DURING A MEETING OF THE GROUP AT ST. KILIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MISSION VIEJO ON JAN. 8.
“Most of the time we’ll never hear anything back,” she said, although she admits to sneaking looks during Mass to see if she recognizes any of her group’s handiwork among parishioners.
Asked why she attends the group’s weekly meetings as well as crocheting at home, Jeannine Perri, the 93-year-old grand dame of the group and an original member said, “Because you make people feel so good. It gives me so much pleasure.”
At a recent meeting — held Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and noon in an upstairs room in the parish hall — a dozen women were gathered amid skeins of brightly colored wool and yarn. Some chatted softly, while others enjoyed an amiable quiet punctuated by the click-click of knitting needles.
Kelly Montey, one of the group leaders, said the fellowship is important for members, many of whom live alone.
Perri was nearing completion of a blue crocheted triangle shawl, which she displayed to a bystander.
“They look like an angel’s wings,” said Galloway, who sat nearby with a tri-colored lap blanket of her own design that was about half done.
Laura La Rosa shared a recent picture and letter of thanks from a friend who had received a knitted pink blanket from the ministry.
“I was trying to figure out if it was one of mine,” she said of the item. “I do a lot in pink.”
La Rosa is an expert knitter and a resource for others should they drop a stitch or need help.
Montey, an original member, is one of three group leaders with Galloway and Barbara Dice. She said last year the Ministry created about 340 items, including about 140 baby shawls, which are growing in popularity.
“Each shawl is unique and made specially in various sizes,” she said.
ENDURING SYMBOLS
For centuries, prayer shawls have been a symbol of a loving and caring God in Catholicism, Christianity and a number of religions. Various sects of Islam, Buddhism and Hindu also incorporate shawls, scarves and similar garments into their prayer and worship practices.
Founded by Joan Finnerty in 2015, the St. Kilian’s Shawl Ministry numbers about 20 members who knit and crochet free triangular and square prayer shawls, lap blankets and baby blankets for parishioners as well as the elderly, sick and shut-ins who are visited by ministry volunteers.
The ministry also hosts a booth at the church’s fall festival where it sells merchandise. Each handmade item is machine washable and blessed by parish clergy and includes a medallion of the Madonna sewed in along with a printed blessing.
Originally, the Shawl Ministry only specialized in the shawls and blankets for “those suffering in any way,” before expanding to the baptismal blankets. Montey said the group has various pattern books and other materials to inspire the group, although many invent their own patterns and color combinations. Although there is constant demand for the items, Montey said there is no stress needed.
“We’re volunteers,” she added. “We keep it stress free.”
On average, it takes three weeks to a month to finish an item, and members often crochet or knit at home.
Montey describes the activity as restful and something that provides good opportunities to pray, reflect and meditate.
Dice, who handles most of the materials and finances, said it costs about $15 in materials per item, which can take up to three skeins of yarn which range from about 250 to 1,000 yards. That adds up to about $5,000 to $6,000 per year, all of which is gathered through donations.
The group is open to all who are interested regardless of age or experience. The ministry is particularly interested in attracting younger members and is happy to teach newcomers.
Anyone interested in a shawl for themselves or a loved one can fill out a request form at the parish office or send an email to [email protected] indicating the gender of the recipient and any color preferences. Prayer Shawl Ministry members pray over the items, asking the Lord for comfort and healing for the recipient, or love, protection and blessing in the case of children.
Although items are free for the asking and can be picked up upon request, donations are accepted.
Fr. Angelos Sebastian, pastor of St. Kilian, said the Shawl Ministry is a great benefit to the church and he has seen the impact on parishioners when they receive the items.
“There is a deep emotional connection,” he said. “It’s a very powerful way to show God’s love and prayers.”