| Reach
Out Center's Comfort Shawl Project Brings Warmth to the Sick
 February,
2005—The security
of a favorite blanket does not fade with the end of childhood, as
the Assumption College Reach Out Center has realized. The latest
community project designed by this office aims to bring warmth and
comfort to area residents who suffer from the devastating effects
of long-term illnesses.
The Comfort Shawl project originated last fall, when Deborah Lynch,
director of the Reach Out Center, read a newspaper article about
two women, who started a “prayer shawl ministry” upon
their graduation from the Hartford Seminary Women’s Leadership
Institute in 1997. The intent of the ministry was to knit shawls
that would comfort the sick and suffering through illness. The knitter
commences each shawl with prayers, words of kindness, and blessings
for the person about to receive the finished product.
Lynch immediately envisioned an Assumption College version of this
project, involving the community of students, faculty and staff.
She predicted that 15-20 knitters would participate, but her expectations
were far exceeded.
“Over 70 knitters signed up,” Lynch enthused. “Our
information and instructional programs were standing-room only.
Better yet, our students and staff members told their families about
this project, and their family members want to knit shawls, too.
We’re branching out beyond the campus.”
Over the remaining months of 2004, a true sense of community grew
as a result of the shawl project. Students, faculty, and staff alike
gathered in the Reach Out Center office to knit and socialize. Experienced
knitters volunteered to teach the craft to novices, and new friendships
formed.
“This project truly took on a life of its own,” Lynch
said proudly.
Assumption’s knitters were asked to choose a prayer, inspirational
quote, lyrics from a song, or a poem that would become part of their
shawl. Upon completion, they were asked to pin these words to the
shawl so that the recipient would be wrapped in both the physical
warmth of the knitted yarn and the loving thoughts that accompanied
it.
After witnessing the success of the Comfort Shawl endeavor, Lynch
wanted to honor the participants and their hard work. On February
5, 2005, at 12:00 p.m., a reception will be held for the knitters,
whose shawls will be on display in the Atrium of the Testa Science
Center. The Worcester-based gospel choir Voices of Praise will also
perform at this event.
The finished shawls will be evenly distributed among four Worcester
hospitals and agencies, including the Worcester Medical Center Oncology
unit and AIDS Project Worcester.
Experienced knitter Carmella Murphy, training specialist in the
department of Information Technology, was thrilled to take part
in this project.
“When I first heard about this, I thought ‘Here’s
something that I’m good at, and that I can use to help people,’”
she said. “By participating, I’ve helped in more ways
than one—comforting someone through an illness, and teaching
students how to knit so they can do the same.”
|
