Boone prayer shawl ministry spreads warmth, comfort

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

A ministry at Ascension Parish in Boone County has been spreading comfort and warmth one shawl at a time for the last 20 years.

The prayer shawl ministry was established in 2005 in what at the time was Sacred Heart Parish of Boone. The idea of starting the ministry in the parish came from Beth Judge after a close friend’s mother received a shawl while battling cancer.

“The shawl meant so much to her that the family buried it with her,” she explained. “They told me how much comfort it gave her when she went through treatment.”

Knowing how much the shawl meant to the family, Judge felt compelled to ask her pastor if she could start the ministry in Boone. Upon approval of the pastor, Judge made packets with various patterns for the shawls, which are crocheted or knit out of yarn. She had been given a book from a church out of state that first initiated the ministry; it came complete with patterns and prayers.

In the early years about four or five women were involved regularly in making the shawls and attending the monthly meetings.

“It has stayed active through the years,” said Judge, who noted since that time the parish merged with Madrid and Ogden, some parishioners from those communities are also involved. “We have a couple people who are not Catholic regularly come, it is amazing to me that it has stayed active.”

Oakie Peter of Boone has been active in the ministry since it was established 20 years ago.

“I have always knit and always crocheted since I was young, so I felt the need to join,” she said, adding that Judge was also a close friend. “You get to know other people and enjoy the same things they enjoy. It was a social thing to be with other women who like to do what I like to do.”
Peter pointed out that some members have come and gone through the years and with many members being an older demographic, some have passed away. She estimated at least 10 women attend the monthly meetings.

The women work on the shawls in their homes and then get together monthly for fellowship and prayer.

Aside from yarn and women crafters, prayer is a key component of this ministry.

The women explained that they say a prayer as they start each shawl. Some women opt to pray as they make the shawls, praying for the needs of the person who will receive it. 

Completed shawls are brought to the monthly meetings and receive a blessing before they are given away. Prayers are also printed off and are included with the shawls.

While some shawls are delivered, Peter said, “Anyone is welcome to come in and get a shawl. They don’t have to come through us – anyone who wants to get one for a family member or friend, they are welcome to go to the church office and get one.”

The shawls typically go to someone who has an illness or has experienced a death in their family, but they can also go for happy occasions.

In addition to the prayer shawls, women in this group have made baptismal bibs and baby blankets.

Peter pointed out that they make both triangular- and rectangular-shaped shawls as well as lap robes for men.

When the ministry started out, the women always bought their own yarn, but now sometimes they receive a thank you note with a cash donation, which is used to purchase yarn. The notes have affirmed how much comfort the shawls have brought.

“We’ve received so many comments about what a comfort it was. To let people know that someone is thinking about them and cares about their lives, it’s really a good feeling,” said Peter.

While the women are uncertain as to the exact number of shawls made by the group, Peter estimated over 2,000.

“They have been a comfort to so many people, and for those of us making them it’s quite a good feeling that we have helped these people in some way,” said Judge. “It’s amazing how much a little piece of yarn can mean to them and it gives us a warm feeling to know how touched they are by receiving a shawl.”

Through the years, she mentioned that those who have been part of the ministry have felt they have gotten as much out of it as those who have received the shawls.

The group has also been contacted by other parishes in the diocese that wanted to start their own ministry.

“I keep doing it because I enjoy it and enjoy being with my friends and it gives me a good feeling to know I am doing something that helps someone get through a rough time,” said Peter, who knits and/or crochets daily.