Human Concerns

You may email Cheryl

 ST. JULIE BILLIART SHAWL MINISTRY

“You created every part of me,
knitting me in my
Mother’s womb.
For such handiwork,
I praise you. Awesome this
great wonder!”

Psalm 139:13-14

Some uses for the shawl

Undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss, during bereavement, prayer or meditation, during an illness and recovery; ministering to others or just socializing...
There are endless possibilities!

We will in addition to the above uses be distributing these shawls to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at various hospitals.

With thoughts of Jesus’ words in our hearts, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35),

St. Julie Billiart chooses to give to those in need both through prayer and with a physical reminder of those prayers, a prayer shawl.
 

A Shawl Maker's Prayer 

Dear Lord;

Bless my hands as I knit today. May each twist of the yarn guide me to create a pattern of love and comfort in my work and remind me of Your ultimate protection. Wrap me in Your spirit so that I will be more caring towards those in need.

Grant me patience as I create this shawl. And bless my handiwork as it travels to bring comfort and peace to someone in need of Your warming embrace.

Amen.
 

About The Shawls

Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient.

The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto someone in need.

Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy.

Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

"Shawls ... made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God.

They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify.

Those who have  received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…”

Janet Bristow -1998
©Copyright 2005
(Used with permission)

ST. JULIE BILLIART SHAWL MINISTRY
 MISSION STATEMENT

 The mission of the St. Julie Billiart Shawl Ministry is to create shawls in prayer and to deliver shawls in prayer to those individuals needing comfort and solace and to those celebrating life’s joys. 

Adopted: June 17, 2005

2007

 Latest News

Pink shawls were created by ministry members for the cancer patients at the Rush Copley Care Center. They were blest by Fr Lanza at a recent meeting and delivered on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Thanks go to the members for their beautiful work.

Shawls hand knit/crocheted and delivered in prayer were on display in the narthex during the weekend of May 19th and May 20th.

The mission of shawl ministry is to hand knit/crochet shawls in prayer for those who are in need of comfort and solace and for those celebrating life’s joys. Prayer shawls are given to celebrate life, friendship and connection. They are also given to people who are in need of physical and psychological healing, to parishioners moving from our parish, to couples getting married and to people in transition.

Since September, 2004, over 300 shawls have been given to our parishioners and their loved ones, to the O’Reilly Oncology Center, to Rush/Copley Hospital Cancer Care Unit, to our friends around the world who are victims of tragedy, to our RCIA candidates and to Moms who chose life for their babies.

Each shawl is a beautiful example of stewardship in action at St. Julie. Each prayer shawl costs our ministers approximately $30 to craft and to deliver, all of which is donated by them, with absolutely no cost to our Parish, the giver or the recipient.

April of 2007 shawls were hand crafted in prayer by Laura Scallon, Mary Jo Cronin, Lynda Laspesa, Marion Gross, Irene Yozze, Mary Lewis, Kim Jassor, Betty Koehler, Sue Stratton and Cheryl Scallon. Mary Anne Krajewski, Karen Bissell, Darlene James, Lorraine Drazba and Cheryl Scallon delivered prayer shawls to our parishioners and their families and the O’Reilly Oncology Medical Clinic.

THANK YOU OUR SHAWL MINISTERS FOR THEIR PRAYERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS BEAUTIFUL MINISTRY!

Photos from Narthex display on  May 19th and May 20th, 2007
Click to enlarge

Father Artur Sowa, ordained May 20, 2006, is surrounded by members of the Shawl Ministry, just prior to celebrating his First Mass. The shawl, in the colors of the Polish flag, was created by Laura Scallon.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge

RCIA candidates receiving their shawls on Palm Sunday. We  presented three shawls made by Karen Keller, Mary Lewis and Cheryl Scallon to Jane Annerino, Michael Smit and Katie Jordan.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge

On behalf of the St. Julie Shawl Ministry, a special thanks go out to our ministry members.

Women at St. Julie have come forward and have prayerfully knitted or crocheted shawls for fellow parishioners suffering from illness or loss. The Holy Spirit works in wonderful ways and through their blessed hands and prayerful reflection, we reach out to our parish family through the Shawl Ministry.

Photos from St Julie Narthex 04/12/05
Click to enlarge

If you are interested in joining us in assisting with creating shawls, No meetings are necessary. Please leave your name and telephone number at the rectory. Call 708 429 6767

The photos on this page depict the Shawl Ministry in action.
Join the group - Join in the fun 
Click on the thumbnails for a better view

The book Knitting into the Mystery is also an excellent resource.