Cathedral's Crafters Provide Comfort and Encouragement

By Heather Renshaw | The Catholic Compass | July/August 2024

On a recent Tuesday afternoon at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish Center in Pensacola’s East Hill neighborhood, several friends gather to chat, laugh and pray while they diligently craft shawls and blankets to give away. 

While their crocheted and knitted creations are usually given as a visible sign of comfort in times of illness or grief, prayer shawls and blankets are also made to honor milestone birthdays, anniversaries, births and baptisms. 

“Anyone may request [an item] from either the front office or me to give to a loved one,” says Linda Barrett, co-founder of the Cathedral’s Prayer Shawl Ministry.

There are about 15 total members, with between eight and 10 in regular attendance at their monthly meetings. 

“This group is so productive,” says Barrett. In 2023, they gave away 122 items, and they’re on track to surpass the 100-item mark in 2024 as well. From their on-site inventory, the cathedral ministry has donated handiwork to other groups, including St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, the Alpha Center, Ronald McDonald House and Majella House, among others.

All items, whether a shawl, lap blanket or baby blanket, share a common thread: each recipient has been — and is being — prayed for before, during and after the item’s creation. All recipients’ names are carefully inscribed in the group’s prayer book and prayed for at the beginning of each meeting. 

Several years ago, Barrett felt God calling her to begin a prayer shawl ministry at St. Ann in Gulf Breeze, but she didn’t believe she had enough knowledge to do so. “In walks Stella Dean,” Barrett says, “who owned a yarn shop in England.” Dean agreed to help Barrett, who received permission to begin meeting at the church from Monsignor Luke Hunt. “Stella taught us, helped fix mistakes, and shared discernment to encourage me when I felt ill-equipped,” Barrett said. 

At the first meeting, 17 women showed up. “I was floored!” said Barrett. “God pulled a rope, and I followed.” The group began meeting twice a month in the evening so working women could participate. 

When the Pensacola Bay Bridge went out during Hurricane Sally and travel to St. Ann was cumbersome, several members began meeting in Barrett’s Pensacola home. Eventually, the new group found its footing, post-COVID, at the cathedral with the blessing of Father James Valenzuela, the rector. 

Elaine Thompson joined the group about a year ago after seeing the ministry advertised in the church bulletin. “Part of the joy [of this ministry] is knowing what we’re creating and praying over is for someone in need. It’s a wonderful gift to each of us.”

Prayer shawl recipient Rebecca Carter attests to the positive impact of receiving such a gift as she battles breast cancer for the second time. “I feel honored that people who didn’t even know me cared about me and were praying for me,” she says. “It’s that Christian spirit of prayer that we don’t always see in today’s world, but it’s there — it still exists.” 

While prayer is at the heart of their mission, not every moment in their meetings is serious business. When Father Valenzuela arrives to bless a slew of white blankets specifically for baptized children, he teases the ladies about their laughter and vibrant conversation, saying the women are, yet again, “having too much fun.”  

A big part of the ministry, its members agree, is “the sisterhood.”

“I couldn’t do it without these ladies,” says Barrett, as the other members nod in agreement, each indicating they have been through many ups and downs together over the years. “This is a very special group,” said Thompson. 

While prospective members may think they don’t have the expertise necessary to join the ministry, its members indicate that’s simply not true. Over the years, the ministry has welcomed experienced and novice crafters with open arms. “Everyone is welcome,” said Barrett. “God does it. You’re there, of course, to do the work, but He guides it all.”

Eventually, Barrett hopes all prayer shawl ministers in the diocese can join together for a morning retreat, including food, fellowship and, of course, prayer. In the meantime, the ministry will continue to receive and fill requests for their handiwork as God allows. “I know it’s cliche,” Barrett said, “but we get so much more out of this ministry than we could ever put in. It’s a tremendous joy.”