SAPPHIRE — St. Jude Mission recently celebrated 10 years of its Prayer Blanket Ministry. Over the past decade, more than 800 blankets have been made and distributed all over the country and beyond.
The mission of this ministry is: To minister to those who are suffering by bringing them comfort and peace through the gift of a Prayer Blanket – a symbol of Faith, Hope and Love through parishioners’ commitment to prayer.
The dedicated members of this ministry meet twice a month during the summer and once a month during the winter. Each blanket has more than 200 knots lovingly tied for those for whom the members of the ministry pray.
There is no charge for the blankets and they are available to anyone who is aware of someone in need of love, support and prayers.
Pictured is the mission’s administrator, Father Jason Barone, blessing the blankets. After Mass there was a celebratory brunch for parishioners to share in the special occasion.
— Rena Ezzell
TRYON — St. John the Baptist Church held the last Fatima Procession of the season on the picnic grounds, at Harmon Field, on Oct. 13 after the 12:30 p.m. Mass.
The candlelight procession honoring Our Lady of Fatima in prayer and song began May 13 and was held every 13th of the month on the church grounds.
Father Jason Christian, pastor, began the service by narrating the story of the “Miracle of the Sun,” which occurred on Oct. 13, 1978, in Fátima, Portugal.
He emphasized in particular the fact that the crowd attending the event, after having been soaked by the rain, reported that their clothes suddenly became completely dry.
Since it had been raining all morning that day in Tryon, the reminder of that miracle renewed hope in the attendees that the rain would subside and the procession could occur. After everyone had recited the rosary in English, Spanish and Latin, the rain ceased and the procession began.
— Giuliana Polinari Riley, correspondent