Our family sent my grandma a prayer blanket earlier this  
year. She visited us in April for Nathan's first communion  
and at that time her cancer was bad. She had several lumps  
under her arm. She had previously had breast cancer and a  
brain tumor. She had a radical mastecomy and had most of  
the brain tumor removed about 5 or so years ago, but the cancer  
was already very advanced. 
 
After she went back to Arkansas, we sent her a blanket to let  
her know that we were constantly praying for her. 
 
We went to visit her in October and she was getting sicker --she  
couldn't keep anything down. I was able to explain more  
about the blanket when we visited her (she was hard of hearing,  
so phone conversations were out). She appreciated it, but  
didn't say too much and I didn't think too much about it.  
Soon after grandma ended up in the hospital because she was so  
weak from not being able to eat. 
 
My aunt was visiting during Thanksgiving -- at which point  
grandma was still in the hospital and the prognosis was  
bad. She was given only a few months to live. Her  
final wish was that she wanted to see all of her grandchildren  
and when my aunt and her son with his son visited, that was the  
last grandchild she needed to see. She began to rapidly  
decline right after seeing him. Her blood pressure dropped  
and her breathing very labored. My aunt asked the minister  
to come and give her last rites. At that point, when the  
minister came in to pray, she asked for her prayer  
blanket. She really didn't say much from the time my aunt  
came in to visit to when she died on that Sunday morning at 1  
am, but she did say my cousins' son's name and the fact that she  
wanted that prayer blanket. 
 
I truly wasn't sure if she even used it. I wanted it with  
her while she was in the hospital but I didn't know if she even  
knew it was there. Just goes to show you the power of  
prayer. She knew that that blanket was loved on by my kids  
and that it was blessed during mass. I am glad that she  
had it during that time and felt that she could put it on her as  
a source of comfort.  
 
My aunt put it in a bag and brought it to me before the funeral  
and asked me if I would like to keep it. I thought about  
it, and thought it only fitting that she should have it cover  
her for eternity. I am glad that I had the opportunity to  
send a blanket to my grandma. Whoever made that brightly  
colored fleece blanket needs to know that my grandma was  
comforted by it. It was multi-colored on one side and  
yellow on the other. I know I appreciate being able to  
make blankets as well as give them to people in need of comfort. 
 
Thank you for all you do for this ministry. I know that  
many lives have been touched by your generous gift of time and talent. 
 
God Bless, 
 
Mindi

I had a wonderful experience at the Kid's Cafe late last year and still think about how meaningful the time was with the children. I had an opportunity to take my management group to the Kid's Cafe as a team project to give back to the community in some way. We had a rainy evening and at first we were concerned about turnout and whether we would be able to help as we had planned. However it turned out great because we had just the right amount of kids to really interact and make it a special time with the kids.  
 
The Kid's Cafe gives you the chance to interact with a group of underprivileged kids who are just craving attention and relish the opportunity for playing games and a social setting. At the cafe you help serve the kids food donated by Yum Brands and then spend the rest of the time doing what the kids want whether playing games or helping with homework. Our team of 12 spread out to all the kids who came that night and sat with them and reinforced the importance of eating a good meal. After they finished we all played games that they wanted. I had such a great time playing Candyland,checkers, reading books and for some helping with homework.  
 
The Kid's Cafe is designed to help the kids enjoy a more normal environment with a good healthy meal followed by a family environment of games and fun. Our group clearly had impact on the kids we all had a great experience in providing that service. We were able to see the laughter and sparkle that the kids craved and obviously had not seen in some time. This experience has motivated me to continue this effort because of the potential to help the children as a mentor, friend or perhaps just provide one evening of hope. This would be a great way for a family, group or individual to give back to a group of children that are not blessed with the privileges many of us enjoy. I still can remember the children's faces when I reflect on that evening and truly believe this is a place we can provide a real service and piece of hope to a child.  
 
I would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested in volunteering at the Kid's Cafe. A great opportunity to serve!!!  
 
Sincerely,  
Christy H.

PRAYER BLANKET REFLECTION 
 
In June of 2003, my mother turned 67. She had a full time job in the  
accounting department of Norton Suburban Hospital and, despite the fact that  
mom's boss had told her that she was not allowed to retire because the  
department would be lost without her, she was secretly planning her escape.  
 
She had purchased new furniture, replaced carpets, put in a new kitchen floor and she had ordered all new kitchen cabinets. She was getting all her ducks in a row before she walked away from her stressful job. It was time to relax and enjoy life a little bit. She had had a hard life and she deserved it.  
 
Mom's plan was interrupted. 
She noticed some bumps in the lower part of her legs. The doctor advised her to take off work and prescribed medication. The bumps went away and, a few  
days later, they reappeared on the top of her legs. About a week later, she had a "mini" stroke which affected her motor skills for one day.  
 
In July, she ended up in intensive care with a clot on her lung. The doctor started running tests and found cancer in her liver. He was pretty sure it had not started there so he ran more tests. Finally, he discovered the place of  
origin to be the pancreas. Mom was given her death sentence. She was told  
she had 3 to 6 months to live and would be lucky if she was still alive in a  
year. 
 
Mom had always been a very faith filled person. She was a wise woman and a  
tower of strength. She had been raised by an alcoholic father and a mother who offered little guidance to her or her three younger siblings. What doesn't break you makes you stronger and mom was strong. She was a survivor. 
 
After receiving her devastating news, she had a "business as usual" kind of attitude but I knew she was sad and scared. I shared the news with a St.  
Patrick's parishioner who then told me about the prayer blankets at Epiphany church. She told me that there was a waiting list for them but she would see what she could do. A couple of days later, I had a blanket. I rushed it over to my mom. It was love at first sight. The moment I gave it to her, they became inseparable. She would lay it over her right side and pray, confident in the blanket's ability to keep the pain in check. Ten days later, mom took  
her last ambulance ride back to the hospital. She refused to go without her  
blanket.  
 
Mom died that night at 12:03am covered with her blanket- covered in God's love. We buried her with it, as we knew she wouldn't have wanted to  
leave it behind. So you see, even a tower of strength can need a little piece of security when times get tough. It was truly moving for me to see the incredible amount of comfort that mom received from her blanket and I am overjoyed that St. Patrick has undertaken such a beautiful ministry. Because of my experience, I feel that I have been called to help with these prayer blankets, and I hope that others will feel this calling too.  
 
Please join us so that our blankets may be many and no one in need will ever be left uncovered by our prayers. 
 
Cathy

I received a prayer blanket in August after I was diagnosed with  
breast cancer. Ann made the prayer blanket and brought it to me along with some of the other ladies in the Monday morning Bible study. First of all, I was overwhelmed by the thoughtful and careful way the blanket was presented to me, along with the reading of the  
letter from Fr. Tom and the prayer that was said for my healing.  
 
Jesus' love and compassion were very present in my living room that day! Soon after my friends left, I read all the prayers in the "Prayers for the Journey" book that was given to me along with the  
blanket. The prayers must have been very carefully chosen because they were perfect. 
 
Having the prayer blanket, and knowing that prayers are being lifted up for me, has been a continual source of encouragement and hope as I've gone through surgery, recuperation and radiation treatments.  
 
It also gives me a sense of "connectedness" to others in the Parish who  
also have prayer blankets. Sometimes at Mass, when prayers are offered for those with prayer blankets, it makes me feel very cared for by the Parish.  
 
My friend, Dottie Brown, had a prayer blanket  
which meant so much to her. She passed away several months ago and  
she is missed very much. However, her prayer blanket gave her great  
encouragement too and it was always covering her, especially in her last days. Dottie's faith and hope strengthen my own faith, and our prayer blankets are one more thing that bonds us together. 
 
Thanks to all who have made prayer blankets, taken them to parishioners and those who have prayed for those with blankets. 
 
Kim

I have been asked to share what my Prayer Blanket means to me. I take it with me to my treatments. I call it my security blanket. My nurse asked me about it, she had not heard about them. She was indeed impressed with it and has on occasion taken it and laid it on me and said “Now do your work” 
 
I know being a part of this ministry, each blanket is made by very caring and loving hands and ideas are shared. And they are all blessed by the community the same love and blessing. 
 
It stays on the arm of my lazy boy and when I need a little cover it gives me warmth and a sense of well being. 
 
This group of ladies is special and we thank you for every stitch you make. 
Sincerely, Phyllis