Welcome to the Prayer Needles

This ministry was formed in November of 2005 and is chaired by Lisa Mueller. Our group has accomplished many things in the short time that we have been in existence. We knit/crochet hats, scarves, mittens, shawls, afghans, arm warmers, and wheel chair/walker tote bags and baby items such as hats, booties, afghans. blankets, layette sets, and bibs. These items are all made out of donated yarn and materials. The items are given to various charities in the Northern Kentucky Community. Listed below is a sampling of the organizations that have received donations:

Welcome House of Northern Kentucky
St. Vincent DePaul Society
Catholic Social Services
St. Luke Hospitals
Diocesan Catholic Children's Home
Kathryn Curley Benefit
Colonial Heights and Gardens
St. Anne's Convent
Rose Garden Mission

In March 2006, we began making prayer shawls. Our members have lovingly donated their time and talents by creating to date over 250 hand-knitted or crocheted shawls, filled with the power of prayer, for those in need. Each shawl takes many hours to complete and each prayer shawl is blessed which provides healing and comfort to the sick before the shawls are sent on their way. Like all acts of generosity, the presentation of a Prayer Shawl enriches the giver as well as the recipient. Thus, the blessings ripple from person to person, with both the giver and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of God. The shawls are delivered by members of our group with a card expressing a symbol of healing to keep the recipient warm and comforted.

You do not have to be an IHM parishioner to receive or request a prayer shawl. We reach out to friends and family throughout our community and even across the country. Family members and loved ones of individuals in need, whether it be illness, upcoming surgery, recent tragic event, young or old, - no matter what the reason - are encouraged to request a prayer shawl.

In January 2008, we became affiliated with Prayer Shawls for Families of Fallen Soldiers, a national ministry that delivers prayers shawls to military families who have recently lost their loved ones in this current deployment of our American Armed Forces. We have provided the shawls and sometimes personal visits to families here in our area. Also this year, we started making Soldier Prayer Stones to give to our local deployed military.

The Prayer Needles group is open to other opportunities within our community where our talents can assist needy individuals. Would you like to get involved? We welcome all levels of expertise in knitting /crocheting or sewing hobbies. We will help you learn if you are a beginner. We also have many responsibilities in the group that do not require any knowledge of stitching. You do not have to be a member of the parish to be a member of our ministry. We have several active members that are not IHM parishioners. We also need yarn. In order to keep the ministry alive, we need your donations. Any type, amount, color of yarn can be stitched into something beautiful that someone in need will treasure. Please consider donating yarn for our continued efforts. There is a drop off box located inside the IHM Church doors in the Gathering Space. This box also serves as the place you can leave any finished items that you wish to donate if you prefer to remain anonymous or cannot attend our bi-monthly meeting.

We meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Meeting Rooms 2 and 3. To request a shawl or prayer stone please contact Jean Schirtzinger at 384-7072 or e-mail at jeanschirtzinger@yahoo.com For more information please contact Lisa Mueller at 630-8406 or e-mail at ihmcrafting@yahoo.com

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Prayer Needles