By Gia Myers • Posted August 2, 2024

The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church in Wallingford practices the corporal works of mercy by donating hundreds of cozy, handmade items each year to people in need of comfort within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Last year the ministry – comprised of 31 members – produced nearly 650 knitted and crocheted items, which were distributed to the homeless, sick, and anyone in need of warm thoughts and prayers.

“We help people having hard times,” says Paula Neely, founder and coordinator of the ministry at St. John Chrysostom.  “Wherever people have a need to be warm is important to us,” she said.

Neely, a parishioner at the Delaware County parish since 2004, describes herself as “a lifelong knitter.”

She learned to knit when she was 8 years old, while spending her summer at a neighborhood swimming pool. She says she was enticed to learn by “the bright pink yarn and silver knitting needles” offered to her by an Italian woman, who taught her how to cast on the yarn, and knit and purl stitches.

Over time, she put her knitting needles aside due to other duties in life, such as raising her two, now-adult sons. Yet she found the soft, rhythmic clicking of the knitting needles call to her in retirement, and she signed up for lessons at a knitting shop in Swarthmore.

When her family members all had plenty of knitted hats and scarves, Neely looked for a way to contribute her crafting talents to her community.

In 2012 she spoke with Father Edward Hallinan, pastor of St. John Chrysostom, and the  ministry was formed.

The group meets every third Wednesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. in the parish’s Stevenson Center. A love of knitting or crocheting is all that’s required to join the group and all levels are welcome.

“I’m always on the lookout for knitters and crocheters in our area,” said Neely.

Parishioner Mary Fee is a member of the ministry, and says she finds the work “very rewarding.” She says the items are “lovingly made” and she feels she’s giving “a warm hug” to people in need of comfort.

Mary Todd of Wallingford is a community member who joined the Prayer Shawl Ministry soon after moving to the area in 2017 from Anchorage, Alaska. She saw it as a way to meet new people, indulge her love of crochet, and help others.

“It gave me a sense of community,” she said of the group. “I enjoy the conversations we have and working together.”

Some members attend the monthly meetings, whereas others prefer to knit or crochet at home and send completed items.

Other people participate by donating yarn or money for the purchase of yarn. Neely has received yarn donations from people whose deceased loved ones were crafters, and some donations come from craft shop businesses that have closed their doors.

“I welcome whatever people can do for our group,” Neely said.

Though the ministry started with knitting and crocheting prayer shawls, they later expanded into a variety of other items including baby blankets, hats, scarves, lap robes, white baby blankets given to all babies baptized at the parish church and “rainbow blankets” – multi-colored blankets gifted to parents who have a healthy baby born after losing a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.

“Make whatever you like, and we’ll find a home for it,” Neely said.

The fruits of their labors are gratefully received by organizations such as St. John’s Hospice in Philadelphia, a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that serves men experiencing homelessness. Residential and day service guests especially appreciate matching hat and scarf sets, as well as blankets.

Other recipients include the Oncology Department at Crozer Hospital, Riddle Hospital’s Pastoral Care Program, nursing homes, and mother-baby support programs.

“We were blessed to receive beautiful handmade crochet blankets for hospice patients, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and mothers experiencing perinatal loss,” said Virginia Jaeger, a chaplain at Riddle Hospital in Media.

“Through the work of this valuable ministry, our recipients have been comforted during what may be the lowest point in their lives,” she said.

“It’s inspiring to see how grateful patients are when they see these beautiful works of art. This church group is truly doing God’s work and they have touched many lives, and for this we are thankful.”

If you’re interested in becoming a member or donating to this ministry, visit their website at:  https://sjcparish.org/prayer-shawl