Prayer Shawl Ministry: Knitting With Love In Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH, MA—Church organist Joyce Bellevue found a book on prayer shawl ministry in 2004 and just had to bring this concept of compassion to her own house of prayer.

Shawl ministry is a practice where people knit or crochet shawls, lap robes, chemo shawls and hats, soldier helmet liners and many other items for those who suffer from critical illnesses, physical or emotional concerns or spiritual struggles.

Joanne Lister took over the group, or project, which meets in the hall of St. Matthias Parish in Marlborough on Wednesdays from 6:45-8:30 p.m.

"We hear from those who received our work and said it gave comfort and healing to their loved ones," said Terry Paladino, a longtime dedicated member of the group. "They are an amazing group. We put care and prayer in our creations. It's not just the knitting and crocheting, it's a spiritual process."

At the end of the meeting, a blessing is read over all the shawls, with the finished products wrapped and tagged with a printed prayer. The needles, directions and yarn are provided for the shawls, and all the yarn is donated to the group. Anyone is welcome to join, said Paladino, who stresses that the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful.

"While we knit, we share stories, concerns and joys," she told Patch.

Members are always on hand to help others who need it, and Paladino said that the reasons to knit or crochet a shawl or lap robe are as numerous as those who do it. She moved to Marlborough from Westford in 1987 and has been with the group since 2013. Since she's volunteered most of her life in various fields and with different age groups, but mostly senior citizens, this was an easy fit.

"This gives me a wonderful feeling to know that somewhere out there, somebody will be helped with hope, comfort and healing with the shawls or robes I make," she said. "When I was asked to join I lost no time in joining this wonderful group of women who are so talented and caring. I also find it a unique way of reaching out to the community in a very tactile way."

Anyone who is interested should call Joanne Litster at 508-485-3723

Photo submitted