4th Tues. of the month at 6:00 pm, St. Martin de Porres Fellowship Hall 

Contact Info:       

(863) 287-1649

The Sr. Francis Saring Shawl Ministry was named after a nun at St. Mary’s who was Director of Religious Education for 15 years. Sr. Francis Saring left St Mary’s around 2009 and returned to the Mother House in Philadelphia to care for the older nuns (even though she was in her mid-70s at the time). Around 2008, a 10 am parishioner, Sharon Began, had seen a notice in the paper about another church having a shawl ministry and asked Sr. Francis if she could start one at St Mary’s. Sr. Francis approved. St. Anne’s was invited; Rita Keller from St Anne’s has been a member since the beginning. Donna Randall is the current chairperson.

Although they also knit/crochet during the month, the 7-8 current members of the ministry meet once per month to knit and crochet shawls as a group, bag the completed shawls (with a typed prayer), pray over the shawls, and ask Fr. Joe to bless them before distribution. The members meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month, from 6-7 pm in the St. Martin de Porres Fellowship Hall.

What is the purpose of the ministry? To bring comfort, through a tangible item like a prayer shawl, to anyone who needs comforting (for any reason). Recipients do not need to be a member of St Mary’s. This ministry helps St. Mary’s bring comfort to anyone in need by sharing the message of Christ to “comfort the sick and the mourning”. "They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint." Isaiah 40:31

There is no cost to join. The group has a budget to purchase yarn. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join. There may even be some people who could teach you, if needed. Feel free to ”just show up”, but it may be best to call first to confirm the meeting information. (See Ministries section for details).
How can I request a shawl? You may call the church office - they can get a shawl for you.