The Prayer Shawl Ministry was begun in Hartford, CT in 1998.  Since then, it has spread across the country and beyond, and thousands of shawls have been fashioned and presented to women, men and children to assure them of God’s love, and the concern and prayers of others for them.

Our sisters, along with associates and other laywomen in the Western New York region, have been involved in the ministry since July, 2002 and have given more than a thousand shawls to persons in need of comfort and healing for any number of reasons: physical illness, emotional tragedies, spiritual struggles or simply a need for a warm embrace to comfort someone living through the “wear and tear” of daily life!  The inspiration for the ministry is based on verses in Psalm 139 which read, “You created my inmost self, knit me together in my mother’s womb.  For so many marvels I thank you; a wonder am I, and all your works are wonders.”  There is a sense that this knitting (or crocheting) is not God’s knitting alone, but that it is a two-way street – that weaving prayers into the shawls as they are made creates a vessel for God’s mysterious presence in other people’s lives.  The knitting or crocheting of the shawls is an act of prayer which symbolizes the loving concern and prayerful support of those doing them for others in need of care.  It is reflective of the loving kindness of a God who “. . knit us together in our mother’s womb” and whose presence in our lives is always one of watchful kindness.

The Prayer Shawl Ministers meet every 3^rd Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Convent, 201 Reist Street, Williamsville, NY  14221.  Please contact Sr. Dolores Cook at (716) 632-2155 
Ext 617 if you would like to join this ministry.