Quilt ministry brings warmth, comfort, prayers

A little over a year ago, Jo Ferretti of St. Bridget's parish in Copake Falls learned that tying knots could go hand-in-hand with praying.

"My friend suffers from a life-threatening illness," she explained. "While on vacation, she met someone from California who was involved in a 'prayer quilt' ministry. The person gave my friend a lap quilt and told her that, each time she used it, she would know that someone was praying for her."

Ms. Ferretti was so impressed by the gift that she started the ministry at her parish in 2006.

Tie one

The concept began in the early 1990s with a group of women in California who were asked to pray for some ailing people.

They designed and sewed small lap quilts for each person on the list; while doing so, they prayed for the individual who would receive the gift.

There are now more than 200 chapters of the prayer quilt ministry.

Knot two

Ms. Ferretti decided to start a chapter because she knew several people who needed prayers; they were ill, had entered a nursing home or had family difficulties.

"The quilt blocks we make are 17 inches square," she said. "They are sewn together and then hand-tied. Each knot represents a prayer that has been said for the person."

Once she got the ministry started, volunteer quilters came forward to join her.

Hundreds of quilts

The group now consists of seven quilters who meet twice a month. They gave away more than 500 quilt squares in just over a year.

"We've distributed quilt squares to the Firemen's Home in Hudson and Albany's Ronald McDonald House, and we've even sent some to the Boston Children's Hospital," said Ms. Ferretti.

Her group also makes quilt blocks for soldiers. "We design them in red, white and blue, and give them to families of those serving overseas," she said. "The families really appreciate them."

Message of hope

Along with the quilt block, the recipient gets a small card that describes the ministry.

"The main idea is to let people know that they are not alone, that they are being prayed for," Ms. Ferretti explained. "Our work brings us great comfort, knowing we have helped someone in need."

(For more information on Prayers and Squares, go to www.prayerquilt.org or call Jo Ferretti at 329-0117.)

(9/6/07)