Recently a lovely Thank You card came in for the Prayer Blanket Ministry with an unexpected enclosure, a kind gift in support of the work they do. Their note gives witness to the comfort the blankets bring to their recipients.
They said ~
Thank you so much for the gifts of love and prayer bestowed with the prayer blankets. My husband and I both enjoyed receiving the blankets while recovering from cancer surgery. They remain at the foot of our bed today.
We hope this helps you continue to bring peace and joy to others in need through the Prayer Blanket Ministry.
From Social Media - A Message of Thanks
It's always fun to be a conspirator in a happy surprise! Our prayer blanket ministry recently collaborated with parishioner Gene Chavez to create a moment of comfort.
There you have it - a Beatitude moment - Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. (Luke 6:21).
We're grateful for the support of our community as we pray and sew these symbols of support for those in need.
In Gratitude
Our Prayer Blanket Ministry received this note of thanks from a recent recipient of a blanket. It was made with Texas Longhorn fabric to honor a longtime connection to UT. “... Please share with any and all who might have been part of this effort that I am both humbled and filled with gratitude... Today has been a great day! It’s not every day that you can say that when one is battling cancer. But today is truly a great day! My prayer blanket will stay close by my side. All the best!”
The Powerful Impact of Prayer
This week our ministry of prayer and creative craft shares some wonderful news from the recipient of a prayer blanket. Her experienced surgeons removed two tumors that, based on their years of experience had the appearance of malignancies. Uterine cancer was the feared diagnosis. Yet the pathology results indicated not one cell was cancerous - an unexpected and very happy surprise! The patient and her family were very touched to have received this soft symbol of our prayers and send their heartfelt thanks for your prayers. Thank you for praying for all on our Mass & Prayer Intentions list - it makes a difference.
We promised to share a statistic on the productivity of this group of talented givers. Here's that fun fact! They offered their time, talent, and prayers to create 29 Prayer Blankets in October alone at Prayer Blanket Ministry.
A Warm Welcome Home
Austin is a city on the move - parishioners we've held dear move away to be near grandchildren or care for aging parents. Others move back home to Austin, and to St. Austin specifically. Not long ago, a couple returned home to our community. Separately they received anointings of the sick and we sent them prayer blankets. In their thank you, they wrote, "They are beautiful, but even more beautiful is that which they represent. We are blessed to be part of so caring a community. We know that our decision to return to St. Austin's was a good one."
Pray with Us for Samantha
Update: Little Samantha died in early January.
Little Samantha is five and in chemotherapy. The mother of a recipient of one of our prayer blankets, shared a request for our prayers for Samantha. Her mother asked if it was possible for Samantha to be on our list for prayers and whether she could buy a prayer blanket for her little girl. She was being released from Dell Children's in Austin. They'd done all they could for her. She was traveling the next day to a hospital in Dallas in hope that they could do more. Pray for this little girl and for her family. Send them strength and hope
A Note to Angels - That Means You!
A note of thanks from a recipient who remains in need of healing prayers ~ "Thank you for being my Angels. You hold me up and help me along the way. In learning to accept my cancer diagnosis and learning to live with it. To fight the good fight every step of the way. And to be grateful for the chance to enjoy today, to love Lisa (my main Angel) and to be so thankful for our friends and family who care enough to check in and bless us with your prayers and blessings. I/we have already felt your love, God's love. Words simply cannot express ... but thank you so very, very much." ~ Gil and Lisa Roebuck
Celebrate Miriam - Join us in Prayers for Her
Miriam Mellon is pictured at the left with her son as they celebrated her recent birthday in San Antonio. It is Miriam who brought Prayer Blankets to our parish. The compassionately creative Prayer Blankets joined together for a celebratory reunion recently. They ask that we join them in prayer for our Miriam, and for her son and caregiver. Bring this mother & her family peace, comfort, and the solace of the love that binds them in a circle of care - first she cared for him, and now he for her.
Please pray as well for all on our Prayer Blanket and Prayers for Healing lists, and for the members of our Prayer Blanket ministry. The beautiful work Miriam first invited them to do continues - the prayers with which the work is done are powerful indeed.
Reception for Miriam Mellon
Following the Mass with the blessing of Prayer Blankets on January 10, the Ministry held a reception for its founder, Miriam Mellon, to celebrate her long-awaited visit to St. Austin. The event was attended by Miriam, her sons, members of the Ministry, and others. They brought pastries, coffee, and cake for those who stopped by to greet and thank Miriam.
Some of the celebrants at the reception for Miriam Mellon who joined her for a photo were, L to R, Julie Lyons, Gail Chavez, Miriam, Glenn Donnelly, Gene Chavez, Sharon Oliver, Jean Harrison and Charles Donnelly.
The Healing Power of the Holy Name - Excerpt
"Jesus, Your coming on Earth was like a new dawn over a world of darkness: the blind saw, the lame walked again, the sick were healed and even the dead were raised to life.
Come again into the lives of everyone and heal the wounds of their broken hearts."
Miriam celebrates her visit to St. Austin with her two sons, Glenn Donnelly, left, and Charles Donnelly, right.
Miriam receives a hug from Colleen Debner at the reception.
Who We Are &
How We Bring God's Love to Our Time & Place
How The Whole Thing Started
The Prayer Blanket Ministry was introduced to St. Austin by a member who received a blanket while recovering from surgery and treatment. The joy and peace she experienced from the gift, along with the prayers of the faith community gave her comfort and hope. Her prayer blanket was at her side while in the hospital; she continues to use it at home today.
The Prayer Blanket Ministry members create lap blankets for those experiencing difficult times. Prayers are offered for recipients as the blankets are constructed. The members of this ministry share a close sense of community and devotion. Those who receive prayer blankets often send words of gratitude remarking that they could feel the warmth and love woven into their blanket. Approximately 4000 blankets have been blessed and given to those in need. The blankets have been sent all over the world, including Afghanistan, France, and Belize, as well as throughout our 50 states.
The blankets are blessed at the 8 a.m. Mass on the second Monday of each month. It's during this Mass, that we offer the sacrament of Anointing.
Volunteers are needed to machine-sew blankets, monogram, iron, and hand-sew on ties and buttons. In pre-pandemic days, work sessions were on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 1:30 pm until 6:00 pm at the parish. All are welcome to find a role in this ministry. Volunteers may also work at home.
We're grateful for the phenomenal support our community provides through our annual fund raising efforts - our Quilt Raffle and sales of handcrafted merchandise at the Christmas Bazaar. While we shop sales and clip coupons, the cost of each blanket we make averages $25- 30. We make about 30 blankets a month. Then there's the cost to pack and ship blankets.
If you'd like to support our ministry, we'd be very grateful. It's easy to do, just use the button below to learn how to make a contribution by check, online, or by Venmo. All you need to do is direct your gift to Prayer Blanket in the memo of your check, or in the for section of your e-gift.