The BVM Prayer Shawl Ministry: Wrapping Trafficking Victims and the Homebound in Prayer
Louise Levandowski, BVM crotchets prayer shawls for human trafficking survivors and the homebound.
While living in Davenport, Iowa, BVM Louise (Laurina) Levandowski joined a prayer shawl ministry group that was starting at St. Paul the Apostle Parish.
After moving to Mount Carmel Bluffs (MCB) in Dubuque, Iowa, several years ago, she saw a documentary about human trafficking. Deeply moved by the suffering, Louise was inspired to give survivors comfort through a prayer shawl ministry at MCB. Eight BVMs and one staff member joined her. Later, two more sisters joined.
Over 80 prayer shawls have been made with love and given to trafficking survivors or the homebound. Each prayer shawl includes a prayer card and a tag stating: The Sisters of Charity, BVM at Mount Carmel Bluffs are praying for you.
The group membership has declined in recent years. Some members have gone on to their eternal reward, while others needed to stop because it became too physically challenging. Now there are two sisters serving in this ministry. New helpers are always welcome; both in knitting/crocheting and in finding groups in need of the shawls.
BVMs Irene Lukefahr and Marilyn (Claudia Mary) Wilson, and Office of Life and Mission staff/associates Suzie Wright and Lori Ritz (former BVM life and mission director) have helped distribute the shawls to area organizations that serve survivors of human trafficking.
Shawls are sent to Community Solutions in Morgan Hill, Calif.; and to locations in Iowa, including Dorothy’s House in Des Moines, The Pregnancy Center in Dubuque, and Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging in Waterloo; and to BVM Cindy Sullivan in Massena, N.Y., for Massena Meals on Wheels clients.
Cindy shares, “I put the shawls and hats in the office with a note to the volunteer drivers, explaining where the gifts came from, and asked them to take a shawl or hat to anyone on their route that might enjoy the gift. Everything was gone in 10 minutes!”
Driver after driver came back with a huge smile and a glowing report about each person’s reaction. Many were touched by the prayer card. All sent a huge hug and ‘thank you’ to the sisters. Cindy shares, “I felt like Jesus must have felt when the disciples came back excited about what they had done. Each driver felt that the people they chose were the RIGHT ones. We all are most grateful to the sisters for these gifts.”
About the Author: Kari Litscher is a communications specialist for the Sisters of Charity, BVM in Dubuque, Iowa.
Related: Another BVM group, the Knit Wits, makes caps and scarves using a Knit Wit tool. The items are often included with the prayer shawl shipments. Some recipients include University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City; Resources Unite in Dubuque; and elementary schools in Iowa.
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