Knitting into the Mystery-Prayer Shawl Workshop

On May 21, 2005, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo visited Immaculate Conception Parish and conducted a Prayer Shawl Workshop for thirty participants from various Parishes in the tri-state area. The day was filled with knitting stories, knitting prayers, and knitting together the gifts of our Ministry.

Shawls seem to be symbolic of the comforting, mothering, unconditionally loving God that we [have] come to know. They [are] also the answer to the challenge of finding a way to reach out to the people in our lives with our own gifts and talents, go forward with what we [have] learned, and pass on a blessing.


Shawls [are] passed person-to-person, hand-to-hand, and heart-to-heart...in times of sorrow, little can be said or done that adequately expresses one's concern and desire to help. No words can make it all better. But with the giving of a shawl, few words are necessary. Placing a beautiful, warm wrap around someone's shoulders in a hug of empathy and support is transcendent. For the receiver, God's presence is felt, as she or he realizes that they are not alone but enfolded in the prayers and good intentions of another. The process of making a shawl becomes a spiritual practice centered in prayer, as prayer, for prayer. Throughout the work are sprinkled the meditations and good intentions of the knitter for the recipient. When the shawl is passed onto the receiver, it's a grace-filled moment for the giver, as well, because a part of [her] goes with the shawl.

"Excerpts from PlainViews, the e-newsletter for chaplains and other spiritual care providers, [Issue: 5/5/2004 Vol. 1, No. 7; author: Janet Bristow] published with permission."

Immaculate Conception Prayer Shawl Ministry provides Prayer Shawls, blankets, lap throws, scarves and coverlets to our parishioners who are experiencing a need for healing, love and/or comfort. Our Prayer Shawl Ministers meet on the third Monday of each month in the Parish Ministry House, the former Convent, to pray, knit, and share stories of love, joy, and encouragement. Please call the Rectory Office (973-827-9575) if you are interested in joining the Prayer Shawl Ministry or if you know of someone who might benefit from one of the "Mantles of Love" created by one of our Pastoral Ministers. Requests will be placed on a waiting list as shawls become available.