Shawl retreat draws people interested in creating, praying

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 24, 2006

A shawl retreat will be held Sept. 8 at St. Joseph Parish Center in Sioux City for people interested in praying while creating.

According to Natalie McFadden, organizer for the retreat and St. Joseph parishioner, a prayer shawl can be different sizes such as the size of a normal shawl or as small as something that can be held in the palm of a person's hand.

"It is a physical reminder that people care about you and they are praying for you," said McFadden. "In my opinion, it can be any kind of needle work. Use what talents that God gave you."

The idea is to make something that is give to another.

With each shawl there is a prayer included for the person receiving the shawl.

The 7:15 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church is optional for those who would like to attend. Registration and check-in will begin at 8 a.m. with the retreat beginning at 9 a.m.

"Father (Michael) Erpelding will come in and open with a prayer of blessing for our work," said McFadden. "Anybody is welcome to join us for that or throughout the day. I am going to give a talk on the history of shawls and the different traditions that have used them."

The group will then get to work. A local vender, Hands on Needle Shop, will be there to provide materials. People are also able to bring their own projects.

"I have been really active in several on-line shawl groups," said McFadden. "A lot of people had been asking me questions - how do you do it? What is a prayer shawl? I figured why not get everyone together in one place and have a good time."

While making the shawls, the participants will be pray - spontaneous prayer or traditional. McFadden added that she will also have prayerful music playing.

Lunch will be catered by Stryker's Grill followed by an afternoon work session.

"For the troops overseas, we are doing pocket prayer cloths," said McFadden. "It is a small piece of fabric or knitting that they can carry with them. It is in a plastic bag to keep the sand out. They can feel that people care about them. They are prayed over as you are making them."

The chapel located in the convent will be open and people are encouraged to drop in to pray with the attendees and over the shawls.

The day will conclude at about 5 p.m. with another blessing of all the shawls and be done.

"Every shawl that I have ever given, the person has had tears in their eyes and said, 'I just love it. I can't believe someone cares enough about me to do this,'" said McFadden. "We just have huge needs in our community."

The registration deadline is Sept. 1. Cost for the day is $15. Contact the parish office, (712) 258-3813, for more information or a registration form.