PRAYER SHAWLS

Once a month, an energetic and faithful group of knitters and crocheters gather at St. Gregory's to create prayer shawls and prayer blankets. These beautiful and holy creations are prayed over—stitch by stitch—and then blessed at one of our Eucharists. We then present them as a gift from our St. Gregory's family to members and friends who are experiencing a life-challenge, often a sickness or surgery or perhaps the death of a loved one.



I am deeply touched that recipients often break into tears of gratitude for these blessed tokens of God's love and the love of our parish family. There is something so tangible, so sacramental about feeling wrapped by love. Recently, the grandson of Kevin and Pat Meech received a shawl. This fifteen-year-old, who is a Down Syndrome child, is also experiencing a significant health challenge. Upon receiving the shawl, he immediately draped it over his head. The family shared this image with us and gave us permission to share it with the St. Gregory's congregation. What a difference this ministry makes!

Blessings,

Andrew+

When the photo of Chase was shared with Father Andrew, it was sent with the following message from Kevin Meech, grandfather to Chase Maddex.

"I'm at the hospital now with Chase and we all want to thank you so much for the prayer shawl.

His first reaction was that he wants to come and meet our friends who made this.

Hopefully soon, we can make this happen when he is well enough to come to Florida.”

-Kevin Meech