Sunday, January 27, 2013

 

                  In Loving Memory of Norma Dufault

                               A Knitters Prayer

I pray when risen from the dead, I may in glory stand
Perhaps a crown upon my head, but two needles in my hand
I never learned to sing or play, so let no harp be mine
From childhood to my dying day,knitting has been my line
And so as close the trumpets call, I have not fame nor riches
But sweet contents knit in my soul in a million happy stitches

Rest in peace our dear friend!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Excerpt from the 2nd reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit. There are different forms of service but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit"

Our ministry is indeed a gift from the Spirit....a form of service given for some benefit...to bestow love, compassion and warmth to those in need.

 

Sunday, January 13, 2013  The Baptism of the Lord

Our January meeting included a discussion about the direction of our prayer shawl group, how we are going forward, changes that may be needed, how to keep the communication between knitters and wrappers open, a new storage area for the shawls.....so many things to discuss and pray over. This beautiful prayer is appropriate for today's celebration of the baptism of Christ....and one that we can say individually as we recommit ourselves to our ministry.

 

Father in Heaven, when the spirit came down upon Jesus at His Baptism in the Jordan, you revealed Him as Your own beloved Son. Keep me, your child born of water and the Spirit, faithful to my calling. May I, who share Your life as Your child through Baptism, follow in Christ's path of service to people. Let me become one in His sacrifice and hear His word with faith. May I live as Your child following the example of Jesus.

January 6, 2013....the Feast of the Epiphany

In today's 2nd reading we hear about the stewardship of God's grace, and in the reading of the Gospel we are told the story of the Magi and their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the Christ Child. Our prayer shawl ministry is truly a blend of stewardship and gift giving...our humble shawls... given to others in love and warmth and full of God's grace.

from the 2nd reading:  You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace
                                  Eph 3:2-3a-5-6

from today's Gospel:  They prostrated themselves and offered Him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
Mt: 2: 1-2

we offer You our humble gifts in love and stewardship

January 1, 2013...Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Happy New Year to all of our knitters and wrappers! Our first meeting of 2013 will be Saturday, January 12th at 10:30 am in Marys Room at the Pastoral Center. This would be a good time to recommit your time and talent to our wonderful ministry. If you haven't been able to attend our meetings lately, please come and join us in a discussion about our plans for the new year. Newcomers are welcome! You don't have to be an expert in knitting or crocheting. If you are preparing for your Confirmation, this would be a wonderful service project for you.

Blessings on all of you and your families for a happy, healthy and holy 2013!

From the 1st reading for Sunday, January 1, 2013 

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!  NM 6:22-27

December 25, 2012

Good morning and Merry Christmas! It's hard to believe but this is the second anniversary of our blog! Since then, our ministry has grown and changed as people come and go from our group....but we are still knitting our shawls and our wrappers are bringing them to people who are so grateful for receiving them!!! On this Christmas morning let us thank God for the gift He has sent us...His son, our savior!   Have a blessed and holy Christmas (and take time after the hustle and bustle is over to knit a few stitches!)

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2012

As women, mothers,and knitters, we can surely feel a connection with Mary as she said yes to doing with a cheerful heart, the work that God asked of her. .our ministry is one of creating and giving with cheerful hearts to others so they may be warm in the love and prayers knit into our shawls. The days of Advent are almost over and we wait in silence for the glory that is Christmas, when Mary welcomed her child into the world for all of us.

I am not bound to make the world go right, but only to discover and to do, with cheerful heart, the work that God appoints.   Jean Bigelow

Sunday, December 16, 2012, the 3rd Sunday of Advent  (Gaudete Sunday)

From a portion of today's Gospel reading:

When all the people asked Him, "what must we do then?"
He answered, "Anyone who has two tunics must share with the one who has none."  Luke 3:10-18

This portion of today's Gospel certainly applies to our shawl ministry...for those of us who have the gift of warmth in this bleak mid-winter, also have the gift of giving warmth to others with our shawls!

 

 Our thoughts and prayers go out to those in Newtown, CT who lost children, loved ones and friends. How we wish we could wrap them all with love and compassion. May God be with them during this most tragic time.

 

 

December 2, 2012 - First Sunday of Advent

The beginning of Advent gives us a chance to pause and light the first candle on our Advent wreath...a time to knit and reflect quietly...to separate ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the season while doing the work of our hands for others.

"It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus open doors of hope."  From: Memory Awakens Hope; Seek that which is above
                                               John Cardinal Ratzinger 1986

Sunday November 18, 2012

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, let us give thanks for our ministry, our families and our friends. Let us pray that those who are hungry, lonely and in poor health find peace and comfort in the love of God.

Happy Thanksgiving to our knitters and our wrappers!

"Though the fig tree may no longer blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food...
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!"
                 Habakkur 3:17-18

 

November 3, 2012

The beauty of Autumn is gone...colors washed away by hurricane winds and flooding rains. May our ministry continue to pray for those who are still living with darkness, and the lack of food, water and warmth. 
Our next meeting will be Saturday,November 10th, at 10:30 am in Mary's room at the Pastoral Center.

"Autumn asks that we prepare for the future. That we be wise in the ways of garnering and keeping. But it also asks that we learn to let go - to acknowledge the beauty of sparseness."  Bonaro W. Overstreet   

  

 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

"The Lord has done great things for us, we are filled with joy!"

Do we know that our knitting ministry is a source of joy that we give to others?  Let us knit joy into every stitch and every row of our prayer shawls.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

A part of today's Reponsorial Psalm is a lovely prayer to meditate and reflect on before we begin our knitting....whether we are alone or with one another in our ministry. 
"May the sweetness of the Lord be upon us, to confirm the work we have done."

Sunday, October 7, 2012

To everyone in our ministry and to those who benefit from our handiwork.....
"May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives."

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Yesterday afternoon at St. Anne's Parish in Shrewsbury, 300 women gathered for a retreat led by Sister Joyce Rupp. The retreat was all about learning self-compassion...caring for ourselves, stepping back and taking time to nourish our spirits, minds and bodies.  Don't we as women feel as if we are always giving to others because that is what we were taught to do? How can we serve others if we don't give ourselves respite...time to realize that God loves us just as we are? How can we feel compassion for others if we don't love ourselves? Take the time this week to sit quietly and yes, love yourself. Look at your hands and see what beauty comes from them...what they create for others. Before you wrap the yarn around your needles, wrap your arms around yourself!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Fall is finally here....the weather is cool and crisp and the final harvest has taken place.  Mother Nature is preparing to show off her glorious colors...take time to enjoy them..sit with a cup of tea and your knitting and enjoy God's artwork!

"And so let us not be deficient in doing good. For in due time we shall reap without fail." Galations 6:9

Sunday, September 16, 2012
As summer comes to an end, the earth is beginning to rest after it's growing season...so too, can we find a spot to rest, knit and enjoy the cooler weather before Autumn bursts forth in all her glory.
"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am..You both precede me and follow me."
                                  Psalm I 39: 3-5

 

New beginnings!

Our first meeting of the 2012-2013 season was held on Saturday, September 8th in Mary's Room at the Pastoral Center. Eleven knitters were able to attend. After what seemed a long, hot summer, we once again came together in prayer, laughter and friendship. Our wonderful prayer leader, Marti Page, blessed our hands with oil from the Marist Center in Waltham. We shared stories of new beginnings...new jobs, life transitions, a new grandson...the room was vibrant with enthusiasm for our many blessings and renewed compassion for those who benefit from our ministry. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, October 13th at 10:30 am in Mary's Room. If you knit or crochet please join us in this wonderful ministry.

A new season begins!

St. Mary's prayer shawl ministry will begin their twelfth season on September 8th. We will gather in  Mary's room at 10:30 am in the Pastoral Center. If you have a friend who loves to knit or crochet, please invite them!!  

I will go down to the sea today,
take up my needles
and knit
I will sit in  the shade of
a blue umbrella
and pray
I will gaze upon
the azure waves
and meditate
I will laugh
for the pure joy
of this summer day
Yes, I will go down to the sea today
to knit, pray, meditate and laugh
in thanksgiving.

SMC  2012