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The Prayer Shawl Ministry began in the Catholic Community of Sts. Andrew, Francis and Paul in 2010.
This ministry involves the sewing, knitting or crocheting of shawls or lap-size blankets that are blessed by a priest and given to people who are either sick or going through extremely difficult times in their lives. The prayer shawl or lap blanket is a symbol of a community of faith covering the individual who receives it in prayer.
A Gift of Love
God has used this beautiful ministry to touch countless people enduring difficult times in their lives. The prayer shawl or blanket has brought relief to the suffering and peace to the fearful. In covering themselves, recipients know they are not alone, that there are those who care about them and are praying for their healing or comfort. This beautiful act of reaching out to others in need truly transforms these “stitches from the heart” into a prayer shawl or prayer blanket whose very threads have become interwoven with pleas for healing on behalf of the recipient.
This ministry has been supported by many caring and generous volunteers.
How Can I Help?
We are always in need of volunteers to knit, crochet, or sew. While some work on their own at home,
we meet regularly on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s,
and the third Tuesday of each month after the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s.
If you have received or have given a prayer shawl/blanket and have a story to share, please write us.
The volunteers treasure the testimony. As we have prayed for you who have received this gift,
we ask that you also pray for others who receive them.
If you know anyone who should receive a prayer shawl/blanket or have fabric or yarn to donate,
please contact: Edie Smoak at 864-654-8298 or ediesmoak@gmail.com
Excerpts from thank you notes...
... I also wanted to let you know the prayer shawl was over Dad as I read from the Bible to him in his final hours. We kept it on him until they came to get his body & then I wore it until we left for my brothers. We are taking turns wearing it. Thank you so much for such a beautiful & powerful gift! ...
... It is times of great duress that often bring you to the realization that you are but a small cog in the great goings-on of life. Today, however, I felt like a queen. I was nurtured and loved by not only my friends, my sisters in Christ, but by our whole church community.... Your WONDERFUL group of women put their time and talents together to enrich and envelop those in need. The shawls given to me today brought me to tears. My mother is so grateful and thankful for the St. Francis, St. Andrew and St. Paul’s church community, as I am. You are all doing exactly what Fr. Jack described today… you are putting being KIND above everything else...
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