St Charles Parish Women’s Group:  Women in God’s Spirit … WINGS

WINGS welcomes women of all ages and stages of spiritual growth who desire to grow in their relationship with God and with each other. All women of the parish (and friends!) are welcome.  “Membership” is not necessary and all women are welcomed with open hearts.

WINGS events include inspirational and informational speakers, faith sharing, entertainment (an evening of improvisation at Chocolate Theater in 2009), panel discussions of issues involving life, health, women’s issues.  Most importantly, WINGS offers and opportunities for you to connect with other women of the parish.  Most programs are offered at no, or minimal, cost and are planned to give us a “Spiritual Lift” as we support each other in

• building community,
• gaining a deeper understanding of our faith, and
• sharing a genuine concern for others.

Our on-going prayer shawl ministry provides handcrafted items for individuals who are sick, in crisis, newborn, Veterans and recently partnering with our youth group to provide warm knitted and crocheted scarves for the homeless served by St. Anthony Foundation’s in San Francisco.  Also ongoing is the Prayer Circle. Members of the Prayer Circle receive parish prayer intentions for which to pray, by email.

Upcoming events:

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17 

Who: Everyone is welcome!!! Most women in the ministry knit or crochet, but even if you don't, we need you. Wednesday socials (see below) are a good time for non knitters to tie the fringe on the shawls.  It's also a good time for those who want to learn to knit or crochet. 

What: Knit or crochet chemo hats, baby blankets for newborns, caps and lap robes for Veterans, shawls and lap robes for sick and elderly parishioners. Garments are blessed by Father and delivered by volunteers and Kathy Fagliano, St. Charles leader of the Ministry to the Sick and Elderly.

Why:  As we knit or crochet row upon row, we pray specifically for the garment’s recipient and asking God to wrap her or him in unconditional, compassionate love. Even though the recipient is not known to us, as the garment is finished, it is filled with prayer for that individual. Praying for someone we don’t know is a different experience than intercessory prayers offered for a specific individual. Praying for a stranger helps us to learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for friends and strangers alike.

Where: If your schedule allows, meet on every first Wednesday of the month 10 a.m.-12p.m. in the St. Charles room at the St Charles Parish Center.  Please bring with you any shawls, lap robes, chemo caps or baby blankets that you have completed or are working on. If you are unable to  attend the social then either leave the garment off Lorie's home (1828 Carmelita Dr.) or give Lorie a call (593-7339) and she will pick them up for the meeting.  

How: Please don't purchase any yarn because  Lorie has all the yarn you need to make your special gifts of love. It is best if you pick it up at Lorie's home, this way you will have a better choice of colors and she won't have to carry so much to the meetings. Also, there are many knitting needles have been donated and are available for free. 

The internet has many wonderful  sites for patterns to knit or crochet chemo caps and caps for the Veterans.  The lap robes can be anywhere between 40" X 40" or 36" X 36".

Kathy Fagliano still needs prayer shawls for men & women which measure between 20" to 25" wide and 55" to 60" long.