Individual women and different groups within our parishes have been using their God-given talents to comfort those who are ill, recovering from surgery, undergoing cancer treatments, residing in nursing homes, and living on the streets. Some by knitting, by crocheting, or by cutting and tying, they make items which show others that someone who doesn’t even know them cares!

Cancer caps for those who have lost their hair during treatment are greatly appreciated and are given out as requested. To quote Sara Kalata, Coordinator of the program at St. Camillus, “We make blankets, hats, ear warmers, and scarves for adults, teens, children, and babies; baby sweaters, cozies, and baby clothes; chemo pillows, chemo port pillows, rice packs, and chemo hats; prayer shawls and walker totes. We also sew and embroider baptismal bibs in our parish.

You may not know that your used plastic shopping bags can be made into sleeping mats for the homeless. They are cut into strips and rolled like yarn into a ball and then crocheted into a six-foot-long mat which gives protection from the ground. We have a small group who has been making these. We can make the instructions available to you if you’re interested.

Two of our other parishes have been making prayer shawls for our confirmation candidates and presenting them to the students during the prayer service at practice. The teens love them!

Women from all our parishes are welcome to attend the Stitching Angel gatherings and many do. Perhaps we can use some of our empty space in the parishes to collect and store yarn, material, thread, etc. This is a growing ministry and is a wonderful way to keep people experiencing pain and distress connected to the parish at large.

Some of the agencies that have received items are: Alpha/Omega Center, Catholic Charities, Children’s Advocacy Center, City Rescue Mission, Eastbrook Mission Barn, Lawrence County Children and Youth Services, nursing homes, People In Need, Salvation Army, UPMC Jameson Oncology, UPMC Jameson Friends of Hospice, Butler Veterans Hospital, and West Penn Allegheny Oncology.

Being united as Holy Spirit Parish gives us the opportunity to expand our mission to see Jesus Christ in others. Just think of all the ways our parishioners can spread the love of God by using our God-given talents in the process. It is so true that “They will know we are Christians by our love.

Contact: Sara Kalata at 724-658-0087 to find out more or to volunteer.