PRAYER SHAWLS

​Wrap Someone in Prayers and Love

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​What is a “Prayer Shawl”?
The knitting of a prayer shawl is a spiritual practice which embodies thoughts and prayers for the person who will ultimately receive it.  The shawl brings to the recipient blessings, prayers, and warm wishes.

Who can receive a prayer shawl?
A prayer shawl is for everyone – baby to senior.  We have larger and smaller ones.  We have some that are suitable for someone in bed or a wheel chair.  We have different colours for males or females.
A recipient is anyone who could use blessings, prayers, and a warm hug: a new bride, a pregnant  woman, a new mother, a sick child,  a child fighting for life after a premature birth, a student leaving home for the first time, a person dealing with debilitating, worrisome health issues. 
The person does not have to be a St Stephen’s parishioner, a Catholic, or a Christian.
Prayer shawls never lose their effectiveness and thus can be passed on from person to person.

​How are they presented?
You will receive a presentation bag and a letter to the recipient explaining what a prayer shawl is. We have bags with the following poem available as an insert explaining what a prayer shawl is:
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Prayer Shawl
by Joan Schneider
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Just a simple prayer shawl, made with prayers for you
To cover you in blessings, for times you’re going through.
I pray that wrapped around you, you will feel our Saviour’s arms
Holding you and loving you, and keeping you from harm.
“…and lo, I am with you always…”
Matthew 28:20

What do I do to order a prayer shawl?
You cannot order a prayer shawl. They are not made to order.  They are not for sale.  They can never be purchased but are freely given.  The volunteer craft persons wish to remain anonymous.
To request a shawl, call Sharon Oryschak 403-242-5105 and she will arrange for a prayer shawl for you.  Since the program began just over a year ago shawls have been presented of just under 100 people!

You can request a certain colour and if we have it we will give it to you, and if not we will give you what we have.  Mostly we rely on the Holy Spirit to make the selection.
You can contribute to the prayer shawl ministry by donating to St Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church and noting that your donation is to go to the Prayer Shawl Fund.
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What do I have to do in order to become one of the volunteers?
Contact Sharon Oryschak so that you will be on the volunteer mailing list (see her number above).
 Select a pattern – they are readily available on line or in wool shops
 Use yarn that is very soft and washable – we recommend Lion’s Homespun – Michael’s has good deals
 Start to knit or crochet – colour, pattern, fringe or no fringe are all your choice
·Bring yours and place it on the table under the icon of St Stephen for blessing on the 4th Sunday
​ of every month. 
After the shawls are blessed, the committee will store them along with presentation bags and presentation letters ready to be given away.
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What recipients have had to say about the ministry:

“Dear Prayer Shawl Angels,
With much prayerful thanks and love to you for ministering to me and all whom you touch with these beautiful prayer shawls.  I wish everyone could feel so wrapped in love and caring.”

“…when words and gestures are not enough, the shawls speak of love and comfort…”
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“…my friend is taking her shawl with her to comfort her during her treatments…”

​*Many thanks to Rose Storoshenko for allowing us to share this photo.
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