Mary Immaculate Catholic Church ť Shawl Ministry

Mary Immaculate Prayer Shawl Ministry

History and Mission
The formation of Mary Immaculate Prayer Shawl Ministry was inspired by the national prayer shawl ministry website www.shawlministry.com . The original Prayer Shawl Ministry is a worldwide ecumenical ministry that was developed by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo in 1998 as an outgrowth of the Women’s Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.

The mission of Mary Immaculate Prayer Shawl Ministry is to bring together people of similar interests to share in fellowship and to use our time and talents to produce prayer shawls that will be given away to help spread the message of God’s mercy, love and compassion.

Prayer shawls: What are they?

A prayer shawl begins with the shawl maker saying prayers for the recipient. The intentions are continued during the creation of the shawl. At the monthly meetings, the members pray together for the recipients and requestors, and a final blessing is obtained from a priest or deacon. When a person wraps oneself in a prayer shawl, the shawl serves as a reminder of the mercy, peace, and compassion that can be found in God’s loving embrace.

Requesting a prayer shawl

Prayer shawls may be given for various reasons such as grief or illness, to comfort those who need the loving Hands of God surrounding them. Requesting or receiving a shawl is not to be taken lightly. The shawl maker spends approximately 20-30 hours knitting, crocheting, and praying to create each shawl. The entire ministry pray for the recipients, and the priest or deacon blesses each one of the shawls. This is a spiritual practice which needs to be respected. Prayer shawls are never be sold, however a donation to our ministry is always appreciated in whatever dollar amount with which you feel comfortable.

Special orders are not taken for shawls; however, if one is available in a color you prefer, you will be given it. Otherwise, you will receive one of the available shawls. If you would like to join the Mary Immaculate Prayer Shawl ministry or request a prayer shawl for yourself or for someone in need, please contact Brigitta Norman at 972-247-8125 (Breepines@tx.rr.com); Tillie Smedley at 972-418-9129 (donsmedley@verizon.net); or for Spanish speaking only requests, Esther Guerrero at 972-247-5697. An appointment will be set for you to come to the church to receive your shawl.

Getting involved in the Ministry

The ministry is open to anyone who has the skills to knit or crochet. Additional hands are always needed! Whether you knit or crochet quickly or slowly, your help is valuable to make our mission succeed. Additionally, if you would like to learn to knit or crochet so you can become a part of the ministry, please call one of the above-listed members.

Additional help is needed in the following areas:

1. Yarn donations: One skein of Caron “One Pound”, 4 balls of I Love This Yarn, 3 balls of TLC Essentials, 5 balls of Vanna’s Choice, 3 balls of Homespun, 3 (7oz) balls of Red Heart Super Saver.

2. Financial donations – Checks, made out to Mary Immaculate, or cash may be turned in to Prici Mahaffey at the Church office in an envelope marked “Prayer Shawl Ministry Donations”.

Meeting times and location

Meetings are held the third Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Mary Immaculate School Library. As of December 23, 2009, we have 23 members and have given away over 659 prayer shawls. We feel blessed to be able to bring the Lord’s comfort to our brothers and sisters in need. Your prayers for our ministry are greatly appreciated.

The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24)

Mary Immaculate Catholic Church

2800 Valwood, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

972-243-7104