Parish Helping Parish: Caribou Parishioners Assist Dexter in Stitching Together New Prayer Blanket Ministry

“It will be great when we hand out our first blanket and know that God is working
through us to reach His people in need. What could be better than that?”

DEXTER---When the opportunity arose to help a group of inspired parishioners as they launched a new prayer blanket ministry, Judy Bougie, Velma Castonguay, and Ruth Gahagan of the thriving Holy Rosary Prayer Blanket Ministry in Caribou were more than happy to make a 400-mile round trip to Dexter on July 27 and offer their expertise and support.

“Our blanket ministry members are like family,” said Gahagan, who founded the blanket ministry in Caribou in 2014.

Passing along their wisdom gained from the rewarding journey they have experienced over the years to the new prayer blanket ministry at St. Anne Church in Dexter was well worth the trip.

“The women from Caribou helped me a lot,” said Carrie Dietz, the leader of the new blanket ministry that draws participants from Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Dexter and Dover-Foxcroft as well as St. Agnes Parish in Pittsfield. “I first went up to one of their meetings to see how they run their meeting and ask a bunch of questions. Running a ministry is a different ball game than just being a part of one and I wanted to be sure I knew what I was doing before I got it up and running.”

The new ministry in Dexter has met four times. At first, the eight participants shared ideas and blankets they have created in the past.

“Some of us knit, some sew, and some are learning,” said Dietz. “When we meet, we use the large space in the parish center to lay out projects we are working on as it is hard to create such a space at home. We help each other with projects brought in from home and usually make a tied fleece blanket at each meeting.”

The idea of prayer blanket ministries is to create blankets to share warmth and kindness with those in need, including the homeless, those affected by domestic abuse, and anyone who could benefit from the gesture. But, what organizers and participants have found over time is that the kinship and camaraderie that builds among those making the blankets is a special reward of its own.

“The blanket ministry has provided me a place to relax, to laugh, to share, and to provide for others in need,” said Bougie. “I have reconnected with old friends and met new ones.” 

“After my brother died, a family friend had made me a special quilt with embroidered butterflies. I loved that quilt, and it gave me a lot of comfort,” said Gahagan. “I realized what God had planned for me in serving others. It would be my hands in making fleece blankets for others who needed warmth, love, and comfort and to involve others to join in.”  

“They were so excited for me to start a prayer blanket ministry in this part of the state, and it was so nice they came down to see how we are doing,” said Dietz. “They were also very generous in gifting us some fabric and our first monetary donation!”

The group from Caribou also showed their new friends in Dexter how to make fleece tie blankets and gave advice about finances and logistics, like how to run an effective meeting and how best to encourage participation and a culture of welcoming.

“We’re meeting weekly at St. Anne,” said Dietz. “Each meeting, we open with our prayer, ‘Oh, Lord our God, mighty and faithful are you and your wondrous ways. Thank you for the part I play in this prayer blanket ministry. Heavenly Father, guide me as I do my part in the preparation of this prayer blanket. Use me as an instrument of your healing. Empower my words and prayers that they become part of this fabric, saturating each strand, to bring healing with every stitch. I pray this as I do all things in Jesus’ name, Amen.’”

The meetings have quickly taken form as one table is set up for tying a fleece blanket, another features projects brought form home, and a third has a sewing machine to work on projects and to offer teaching to those learning how to sew.

“Anyone is welcome to attend. We are happy to help teach people how to knit or sew,” said Dietz. “With the tied fleece blankets all you need to know is how to cut and tie a knot, so really anyone can help with that.”

Currently, the group brings in its own supplies and material.

“We are hoping as the word gets out, people will gift us with unused materials from home we can use and hope for monetary donations as well so we can purchase supplies that will belong to the ministry,” said Dietz.

Last Thursday, Fr. Rob Lupo, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish and St. Agnes Parish, blessed the first round of blankets.

“It’s amazing that they wanted to form this group to give to parishioners in need, nursing home residents, new families getting babies baptized, and others,” he said. “It’s also wonderful to see two, really three, parishes working together like this.”

“I'm also hoping the parishioners will take part in the distribution of blankets, letting us know of people in the community who are sick or going through a tough time that would benefit from the comfort of the blankets,” said Dietz. 

The quick interest and rapid support generated by the new group affirms the hopes of Dietz, who previously participated in a prayer blanket group when living in Florida, that such a ministry would flourish in her new home.

“I enjoyed it very much and have been missing it,” she said. “I thought Maine would be a great place for this ministry because, unlike Florida, people in Maine actually need blankets. I also know there are several talented women in our parish who I thought would enjoy taking part in this ministry.”

In a short time, the impact of a prayer blanket ministry that the women of Parish of the Precious Blood described to the new group has already been felt in Dexter. 

“I really enjoy being a part of a group like this. God gave us these talents and has called us to use them to help others. This is what life is about,” said Dietz. “It will be great when we hand out our first blanket and know that God is working through us to reach His people in need. What could be better than that?”

If you are able to help the new prayer blanket ministry at Our Lady of the Snows and St. Agnes, please contact Carrie Dietz at [email protected] or Tricia at the parish office at (207) 924-7104.