St. Charles Women's Club  Come Mix & Mingle!

St. Charles Women's Club welcomes women of all ages and stages of spiritual growth who desire to grow in their relationship with God and with one another. All women of the parish (and friends!) are welcome.  “Membership” is not necessary and all women are welcomed with open hearts.

Events include inspirational and informational speakers, faith sharing, entertainment, panel discussions of issues involving life, health, women’s issues.  Most importantly, the Women's Club provides opportunities 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.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
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 

Our gifted hands can help by knitting and crocheting warm scarves, caps, and lap robes for the Homeless Shelter and our Wounded Warriors.  Also needed are chemo caps and scarves, baby blankets, infant caps, sweaters and booties, etc. for San Mateo General Hospital.  

The yarn is provided by donations to the Prayer Shawl Ministries and can be picked up at our monthly social gatherings at the Parish. Completed items can be brought to our social meetings. If you are homebound and would like information, would like to be a part of this ministry, or have completed items for donation, please contact Diana Balestreri at dianabalestreri@yahoo.com.

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. No worries! We have knitting needles available.

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 Minister to the Sick and Elderly.

Why:  As we knit or crochet row upon row, we pray specifically for the garment’s recipient and ask God to wrap her or him in unconditional, compassionate love. Even though the recipient is unknown 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 learn to trust the truth that God works through us when we care for friends and strangers alike.

Where: If your schedule allows, we meet on every first Wednesday of the month 10:00-11:30 AM in the St. Charles room at the Parish Center. Please bring with you any shawls, lap robes, chemo caps or baby blankets that you have completed or are working on.   

The internet has many wonderful  sites for patterns to knit or crochet chemo caps and caps for veterans. Lap robes can be sized between 40" X 40" or 36" X 36".

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

“I assure you, as often as you did it for the least of my brothers, you did it for me."

Matthew 25:40