WHAT IS PRAYERS & SQUARES?
Prayers and squares is an interfaith outreach ministry that combines the gift of prayer with the gift of a hand-tied quilt. Our motto is ‘It’s not about the quilt; it’s about the prayers.”
WHAT IS A PRAYER QUILT?
Can you touch a prayer? Can you pull it close and feel its comfort? You can if it is part of a prayer quilt.
The idea behind these quilts is simple, yet powerful. A heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers, and the ends are left free to be tied. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is offered for someone in need of prayers. All are invited to offer a prayer and tie a knot. The quilt is then given to the person. What makes each quilt so special is not the pattern, colour or workmanship, but the fact that prayer is symbolically tied into each one – a tangible reminder of the many prayers said. These comforts are a symbol of faith, and a testimony to our belief in God and in the power of prayer.
WHO CAN RECEIVE A PRAYER QUILT?
A prayer quilt may be requested for anyone you feel may be in need of prayers. (i.e. sickness, awaiting surgery, cancer patients, personal crisis, etc.) The recipient need not belong to the parish or be Catholic.
HOW DO I GO ABOUT REQUESTING A PRAYER QUILT?
The person for whom the quilt is being requested must be asked if they are open to receiving the prayers and what they would like our community to pray for. (i.e. acceptance of God’s will, strength, prayers for their family, healing, a cure etc.)
Permission to disclose information should be asked. N.B. Anonymity is optional.
Once the above requirements have been met, contact one of the members listed below, they will take down the information and present it the following Wednesday meeting of our group.
IS THERE A PRICE FOR A PRAYER QUILT?
We do not accept any form of payment for a prayer quilt, it is a gift of love and prayer that cannot be bought or sold. There should be no feeling of obligation to Prayers and Squares in any way. Our prayer quilt ministry works under the umbrella of St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s League and each year they budget an amount to be used, if needed. Also, thanks to the generosity of some C.W.L. members, our parish community and other friends, we have received fabric, thread and donations to purchase other supplies such as batting and backing for quilts.
Members of our Prayers and Squares ministry are pleased to be able to give their time in the making of the quilts in the hold that the recipients will receive comfort both spiritually and physically from the prayers the quilt represents. As part of our outreach we get together with other churches twice a year to quilt and share our common mission of quilting and praying.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MINISTRY?
We meet each Wednesday morning from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the parish hall basement (in a beautiful, bright room).
Quilt tops are sewn together in our homes by members of our group, we get together to sandwich and tie the quilts.
We are always looking for people to join our group.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A QUILTER.
We need people to put ties through the quilt layers, whip stitch batting pieces together. We would really appreciate the help of anyone who is able to machine sew a ¼ inch seam. We will provide the fabric and even cut the strips for you to sew together.
If you hand sew, you could help with our bindings.
We hope you will stop by, come to help or just to visit and see our new C.W.L. room.
If you aren’t able to visit with us, but would like more information, please contact any of the members listed below.
Nancy Blair 519-371-3416
Andrea Cooke 647-226-5446
Joan Delorme 519-372-2834
Julie Donelle 519-376-0753
Marie Donovan 519-371-7438
Karen Duggan 519-376-9258
Carol Griffith 519-376-1356
Patricia Hiemstra 226-664-2224
Bonita Jones 519-371-7410
Francesca Longo 647-268-2714
Bernadette Lewis 226-664-0145
Joan Mills 519-372-0502
Janice Muise 519-370-2038
Linda Myatt 519-371-6679
Mary Slocombe 519-376-9501