“Shawls… made for centuries, universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditional loving God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…” ---- Written in 1998 by Janet Bristow.

SHAWLS CAN BE USED FOR ……undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement, prayer or meditation; during an illness and recovery or ministering to others… there are endless possibilities.

CARE AND THE LOVE of knitting and crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Many blessings are knitted and crocheted into every shawl and lap robe. Each begins with prayers for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout its creation. Upon completion, a final blessing by Father Alex is offered before the shawl or lap robe is sent on its way.

If you would like to be a part of this wonderful ministry, please contact Jo Ann Brennan at 691-0460 or Sharon Kelley at 691-6539. Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday mornings of each month at 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the St. Joseph Room and the first and third Thursday evenings of each month at 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph Room. Our Lady Queen of Peace’s Prayer Shawl Ministry’s first meeting was held in March 2007. We currently have over 50 members. Over 650 prayer shawls and lap robes have been made and distributed. Each year we have added new recipients. We now make baptismal blankets for the newly baptized and lap robes for the newly married in our church and for those who are grieving. Like all acts of generosity, the creation and presentation of a prayer shawl or lap robe, enriches the giver as well as the recipient.

If you know a fellow parishioner with a life threatening illness, undergoing surgery or medical treatment such as chemo or radiation therapy, or grieving the loss of a loved one and in need of a prayer shawl, you may contact the church office, Jo Ann Brennan or Sharon Kelley.

Just a few of the members of OLQP's Prayer Shawl Ministry (Prayer Shawl Luncheon 2011):
Joyce Guess, Eneida Maulden, Yalanda Haines, Debbie Hynes, Lucy York, Erika Bowers,Elizabeth Ward, Marjorie Derryberry, Berneice Fields, JoAnn Brennan, Terry Gilleland, Cynthia Peterson, Evelyn Hanrahan, Linda Herrian, Wanda Glasser, RoseMarie Fidelie, Kay Landiak, and Joe Bearden.