Shawl ministry brings comfort, hope
BY MINNIE PAYNE
The ladies, ages 8 to 84, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano sit prayerfully knitting and crocheting shawls to be given in love to someone suffering or celebrating joy.
Shawl Ministry was started in 1998 by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women's Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Conn. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's Shawl Ministry was started in February 2004 under the guidance of Tish Allen, founder and coordinator.
"I think that I'm like a pebble tossed into God's lake of opportunity," Allen said. "For me, it's such a blessing and delight to watch the ripples that are being created and how these ripples are reaching out to distant shores as these shawls are being made and distributed to those who need a reminder of God's ever present love."
There were eight members at the first meeting, and presently 85 members work together doing various things to make each shawl complete. If you cannot knit or crochet, there are tasks like tying on fringes, sewing on labels, writing prayers or assisting with distribution of the finished shawls.
Shawl Ministry is not limited to any church or organization. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church accepts ladies from outside their parish. All are welcome.
"We have helped others establish their own ministries as well by guiding them to the original Web site, www.shawlministry.com, and by providing them with any further information/knowledge that we ourselves have gained in establishing our own group," said Allen.
"When the prayer shawl is given, we explain that the shawl was made and is covered with prayer," Allen said. "We remind the receiver that the shawl is a symbol of God's continuing presence with them as they wrap it around themselves."
"Since February 2004, we have provided over 200 shawls to Catholics, non-Catholics, people in several different states and for a huge variety of reasons. The response has been quite humbling and very profound. Reactions have been visibly moving and awe-inspiring. The very nature of these shawls is ecumenical."
Before a knitter starts a shawl, there are prayers and blessings for the recipient.. This thought is carried during the entire time of creating the shawl. At completion, a final ritual is made before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients are so moved and appreciative that they knit shawls and give them to someone else.
Prayer is the main theme of Shawl Ministry, but it is also about healing, comfort and the sheer joy and therapy that come from knitting. Good times and bad times abound both the giver and receiver of the shawls and each is blessed with love and blessings, participants say.
"The shawls have been presented to several parents in our neonatal unit. When we present the shawl we tell them that we create shawls that will be given to want them to feel comforted and blessed as they wrap them-selves in the warmth and love that the shawl provides," Charlene Doriot, LMSW, Social Work Department, Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, said. "The mothers are especially touched and very grateful."
"I also presented a shawl to Muslim parents whose 21-week twins did not survive, and when the father opened the shawl he was so grateful that he fell to his knees in tears. Our hospital is so blessed to have been chosen to receive these shawls."
A recipient who lost her husband suddenly and was left with two small daughters was overwhelmed when she was presented with a shawl.
"It was as if God were literally wrapping his arms around me, comforting me, reassuring me I was not alone and we would all be okay," Kathy Tinkler said. "I think it is God's way of really touching us. A way he can physically wrap his love around us, help us heal, and let us realize God's promise of his never ending love."
"Each morning as I say my prayers, I wrap myself in my shawl, and know God is truly with me and I am not facing the world alone. As I pray with my children, we oftentimes find ourselves wrapped in the shawl together, thanking God for his continued blessings and trusting he will see us through what-ever adversity we are faced with."
Those wishing further information about the Shawl Ministry may contact circleofyarn@hotmail_com or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 972-596-5505.