God's handiwork
Loving Hands group at Our Lady of Mercy works and prays for those in need
AURORA -- The amazing part about the Loving Hands Ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church is that the effort serves both the givers and receivers. Cecelia Sharp was the perceptive founder of this group who saw a unique opportunity for service.
"I had completed a course on lay ministry and had dreamed of finding a way for those who are retired or sitting at home to become involved," she said. She knew that many of these women were accomplished at knitting, crocheting and sewing.
"Many of them loved to crochet and knit but had no outlet for their work. They had made things for everyone in their family already." However, Cecelia suspected that there were plenty of people who would be happy to receive a warm hat, blanket or other item. She put out a call for volunteers to make items to be donated and more than 25 responded.
Loving Hands went from being a dream to a reality about three years ago. In that time the group has made hundreds of scarves, hats, baby blankets, afghans and lap robes. The items that seem to be most in demand are matched sets of hats, scarves and gloves. The women make the hats and scarves but purchase gloves to complete these sets because as Cecilia explained, "gloves just take too much time."
Other interesting items made by the group are prayer blankets -- machine-sewn blankets that provide more than warmth. "Each blanket includes a prayer sewn into it telling the recipient that they are covered in prayer," she said. The blankets are presented to people who are ill or in need. These people's names are then added to a prayer list and the women of the Loving Hands pray daily for the people on the list. More than 400 of these special blankets have been created by the group.
One of Cecelia's goals was to keep the donations personal. "I didn't want to put things in a box and just send them off," she said. "I wanted the group to go personally and interact with the recipients." Cecilia, a native of South Africa, accompanied a box of donations to Durban, South Africa. While she was there, she helped to start a prayer blanket ministry in a local parish.
"We find that people are very touched by knowing these items are handmade," said Cecelia. "There was a young man at Hesed House -- he was about 22 -- and he asked, 'Is this really handmade? I have never had anything that was handmade before.' It was so precious to him that he started crying."
The flip side of this ministry is that the women making the items are also being blessed. "I am almost 83," said group member Madeline Scifo. "To be able to do something for people in need gives me a purpose in life. I can knit and crochet and to do this gives me a real thrill."
"Taking something that you made to give to another is like giving a piece of yourself away," said Loving Hands member Cheryl Hartnett. "I believe that I am living my faith through my hands. I tend to knit during Bears games and I made three hats yesterday."
Not all of the Loving Hands members attend meetings. Many participate by just making items and dropping them at the church. Cheryl's mother lives two hours away from the church but is part of the group. "This gives her something to do. I run up there and pick things up from her and she feels good about making things."
The Loving Hands group is open to all who wish to participate regardless of church membership. The members meet once a month on a Friday to drop off items, match up gloves, hats and scarves and share information. The church is located at 701 S. Eola Road in Aurora.
Deacon Bob Vavra faithfully comes by to offer spiritual reflection and to bless all of the items before they are distributed. Several special friendships have been created through the group meetings.
"Cecelia is a wonderful leader," said Cheryl Hartnett. "She is wonderful about praising everyone's work. She has as much praise for the woman who completed one hat as for the woman who completed a whole bag full of hats. She makes everyone feel so good about their work. It is an amazing ministry because everyone benefits."
Donations of yarn and fabric are always welcome since the group supplies all materials themselves. Cecelia is also willing to teach beginners how to knit or crochet. She also welcomes people who just want to help with distribution or packaging.
"They can come just to help us pray," said Cecilia. "We can always use more prayer warriors."
For additional information about becoming part of Loving Hands, contact Cecelia Sharp at 630-499-7185.
