PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Encircling others in an eternal shawl of peace, healing, and compassion.
Kathy Palmieri
Coordinator
kathleen_palmieri@hotmail.com
Gift a shawl
If you or someone you know could be comforted by one of our shawls, they are available in the Parish Office free of charge. Members have made each one prayerfully with blessings crafted into each one.
How you can help
Any contributions are greatly appreciated. Some examples include:
- Knit or crochet shawls
- Donate yard: (4 skeins of Lion's Brand Homespun (ensure same dye lot numbers)
- Make a financial contribution in memory of loved ones.
- Pray for this ministry, the shawl recipients, and our volunteers
About our ministry
In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates from the Hartford seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, created the Shawl Ministry. Care and love of knitting and crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry at Saint Raphael that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace as well as those celebrating baptisms or other milestones of life. Many blessings are knitted or crocheted into the shawl. Designers begin each shawl with prayers and blessings for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. The shawl is based on a 3-stitch seed pattern. The pattern of three's can be found in every religion and society. This is a reflection of planting peace, healing, love, comfort, and hope. In the traditions of Christian faith, the number three symbolized the Holy Trinity. It is said that the number three is used 523 times in the scriptures! When the shawls are completed they are offered a final blessing before being sent on their way.
"She seeks out wool and flax and weaves with skillful hands." (Proverbs 31:13)
