Background: The prayer shawl ministry is a rapidly growing, international organization founded in 1998 by two women in Hartford. The prayer shawl ministry at Saint Catherine of Siena was formed in September 2007. There are presently 35 active members, both parishioners & non-parishioners.
 
What the ministry does: There are many reasons for giving away a prayer shawl. Shawls can celebrate special birthdays and anniversaries, receiving or making a sacrament, birth of a baby, a new job, graduation, becoming a new grandparent, retirement, etc. Shawls are either knitted or crocheted, and are given to men, women and children of all age groups. Recently, shawls made by this ministry were given to a hospice volunteer who included a prayer shawl in the holiday gift baskets made for hospice patients. A member may have a recipient in mind or the shawl may be given to another member to be given away.
 
Who: For anyone who likes to knit or crochet. Non-denominational, new knitters and crocheters are welcome. Currently, there are a few members working with people who want to learn to knit/crochet a prayer shawl. All age groups are welcome.
 
When does the ministry take action: Meetings are held monthly for about 1 ½ hrs. on a Monday afternoons in Russell Hall at 3 PM. The date is always printed in the weekly bulletin.
 
About the meetings: Meetings begin and end with a prayer. Members work on their shawls; sharing stories, patterns and tips. At the end of the meeting members say a prayer of blessing over the shawls. Most of the shawl is made at home at your leisure with no deadline. The main focus for the monthly meeting is to come together to pray, share our projects, give advice and encouragement to each other, and to bless the shawls.
 
Donations: Parishioners may donate any soft, washable yarn. The receptacle is located in the atrium near the library. A prayer shawl is never sold or raffled, but always given away. Donations of money are also accepted and used to purchase medals that are often sewn on a shawl. Checks may be made out to “Saint Catherine of Siena “ and write “shawl ministry” as a memo.
 
Special events: A few members attend the annual workshop held at Saint Patrick/Saint Anthony’s parish in Hartford every November facilitated by the founders of the ministry. Members also attend the annual Prayer Shawl Ministry Retreat at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford. Over 150 women from all over New England attend both of these events.
 
Official web site for this ministry: www.shawlministry.com