When you’re down on your luck, are homebound or in a nursing home, knowing someone is thinking about you helps.

A ministry in the Panther Valley understands that and is working to bring a little comfort to those in need one stitch at a time.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Joseph’s Parish of the Panther Valley is a group that has deep roots in the community, beginning at the former St. Katharine Drexel’s Church in Lansford and restarting at St. Joseph’s this past October.

“It was very successful at St. Katharine’s so when Father (Allen) Hoffa came, we asked him about restarting it here,” said MaryEllen Ogozalek, one of the leaders of the ministry.

Leader Dorothy Kuhn added that there was a need, and so far, that need for both knitters and those receiving the shawls has be met.

“We have many, many, many talented people in the Prayer Shawl Ministry,” Ogozalek said.

The group currently has 19 members, with an additional 14 who signed up for a recent basic crocheting class.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry’s work includes knitting or crocheting shawls or lap robes for those in the hospital, in a nursing home or who have fallen on hard times.

“The prayer shawl is meant to let someone know that you are thinking about them and praying for them,” Ogozalek said. “When you sit down to make a shawl, you say a prayer for the individual that is to receive that shawl. Each stitch represents a prayer for that person.”

The shawl, which is approximately 57 to 60 inches long by 23 inches wide, or lap robe, which is made to fit with a wheelchair, can be created in any color, pattern or style the knitter would like to make.

Some shawls are colorful, while others are even adorned with praying hands or a cross knitted into the pattern.

Once a shawl is complete, the ministry attaches a blessing card and it is blessed by Hoffa before being distributed to whoever is in need of a little comfort.

“You don’t know who that individual is who will be receiving it,” Ogozalek said. “They are for anyone who just might need comfort.”

To date, the ministry has presented 46 shawls, with the first being given to the late Rev. James Burdess, former pastor of St. Joseph, shortly before his passing last November.

The group is always looking for new members, whether you come to the meetings or prefer to just make the shawls on your own, as well as those who are in need of a prayer shawl.

To find out more information about the ministry, donate yarn for the cause or to become a member, call Ogozalek at 570-645-3719 or Kuhn at 570-645-2580, email mog246@yahoo.com or visit the parish website at https://bit.ly/2L6jYFXy.

The ministry members will be meeting at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph social hall in Summit Hill the next five Wednesdays.

To request a prayer shawl for someone, call Ogozalek or Kuhn or the parish office at 570-645-2664.

“It’s a very fulfilling ministry,” Ogozalek said.

“We are very informal and you don’t have to belong to the parish to join us. Anyone can join.”