Dekker: Women knit for needy

• Reprints

The women of the St. George prayer shawl ministry. | Supplied photo

Updated: February 23, 2012 8:05AM

They call themselves Catholic Women Sharing Faith.

Each week, they meet to pray, create and share their faith in a very special way. These dedicated women have established a prayer shawl ministry at St. George Church in Tinley Park. With their hands and hearts, they create knitted or crocheted shawls — each unique and beautiful, much like the recipients.

Since starting their ministry in June 2010, the group has given away close to 400 shawls. Some have been sent as far away as Italy and Afghanistan.

Shawls normally are requested for people who are ill. They are given to residents of nursing homes and patients in hospitals. But they have also been requested for expectant mothers and women with high-risk pregnancies.

Anyone who needs strength through faith and love can receive.

The women meet weekly, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays or 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays. There are about 30 members, although some work from home due to health reasons.

Their yarn is donated, purchased by members or paid for through cash donations. They knit or crochet shawls of all colors and styles, and each woman works at her own pace.

They teach one another different stitches and patterns, and are willing to teach anyone interested in learning. While working, they talk about their lives, ideas and faith.

As a group, they told me how rewarding it is to be part of this ministry. They share their faith by comforting others while forming bonds of friendship that enrich their lives.

The ladies take great care in creating the shawls. You can request a certain color or supply the yarn for the shawl. They also have made baby blankets for the Shriners Hospital and other special requests.

One member specializes in making soft caps for chemotherapy patients. She uses special baby-soft, hypoallergenic yarns. They were beautiful.

When a shawl is finished, it is washed with a special detergent for sensitive skin. Each shawl is blessed, sealed in a plastic bag and put into a gift bag.

The women also accept what they call UFOs, un-finished objects. These are knitted or crocheted items that weren’t completed. They turn them into shawls or blankets, or take them apart and use the yarn.

The ladies of the prayer shawl ministry welcome new members at any time.

The spirit of the prayer shawl ministry has reached the St. George Youth Group, which is making bracelets to give to patients at Hope Children’s Hospital.

The group would be grateful for yarn, large gift bags, tissue paper or cash. Donations can be dropped off at the St. George Rectory, 6707 W. 175th St.

For more information or to request a shawl, call Maureen Cetera at (708) 253-5592, Judy Graves at (708) 349-8570 or Toni Zaro at (773) 505-2133.

There are many ways to show people you care about them. The important part is to act. Words and thoughts are wonderful, but actions make the difference.