by: Br. Bob Roddy, OFM Conv.

The seventh Retreat for Prayer Shawl Ministers was recently held at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center. Bro. Ian Bremar, OFM Conv., who knits as a hobby,

Bro. Ian Bremar knits with retreatants

was an enthusiastic presenter and participant in the retreat. The stories of the women who serve in this ministry are as colorful and variegated as the yarn that they use to produce their prayer shawls. Many of the women have a personal connection to the ministry when a friend or family member was seriously ill and needed some tangible sign of support.

Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted, or in some case made out of fleece material, for members of a parish who are in need of comfort and support during a time of crisis. “As I work on my shawls, I try to take time to pray for whoever will receive it,” is a sentiment shared by most of the women who create these beautiful shawls.

Fr. Jim Van Dorn and Bro. Ian Bremar

Ms. Corrine Kindschy, a member of the preaching staff at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, and an active member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry of her parish in White Bear Lake, spearheaded the organization of this retreat. Fr. Jim Van Dorn, OFM Conv., and Bro. Bob Roddy OFM Conv., also served on this retreat …but mercifully, neither one of them tried to crochet or knit.