Prayer Shawl Ministry

About Prayer Shawl Ministry

The St. John Paul the Great Prayer Shawl Ministry was started in 2004 by Maryann Ring and Carmy Tromba. Joan Colangelo managed the group from 2010-2025. It is currently overseen by Marlene Constable with assistance from other members. The group meets in each other’s homes every other month excluding December.    

Our members knit shawls which are distributed to local nursing homes, a cancer center, and to any individual who needs comforting. These shawls are always free of charge.  We also knit baby blankets which are given out to each child baptized in our parish. A specially designed card is included with each shawl and blanket that is given out.

We currently have a dozen members who both knit and crochet. Some make shawls and others do baby blankets. Members purchase their own yarn for the shawls and the parish pays for the baby yarn.

Since the beginning, over 1400 items have been created and given out free. Over the years, many hundreds of shawls have been given to individuals, convalescent homes and homeless. Also, hundreds of baby blankets have been presented at baptisms.

Do you like to knit or crochet? Call the Pastoral Center, 860-482-4433, for more information on how to be involved in this ministry.