Visitor to begin new column for young adults

ST. CLOUD — The St. Cloud Visitor is starting a new column which will feature the thoughts and ideas of young people regarding the role that faith plays in their lives. We are inviting high school-age youths and young adults to submit their writings.
Writers should consider, but not be limited by, the following topics:
• How does your faith impact your everyday life?
• Why are you Catholic, and why do you remain Catholic?
• Describe an event which refocused the importance of your faith.
• What elements of Catholicism most dovetail with your spiritual life?
• Describe your faith journey thus far in your life. Where does that path take you as an adult?

Polish club revives traditions, heritage

by Sue Schulzetenberg
Visitor Staff Writer
LITTLE FALLS — No matter if you’re one-hundred percent Polish or just Polish at heart, the Polish Echos will quickly adopt you into their circle, which meets regularly at Our Lady of Lourdes Church basement in Little Falls.

“This is fantastic for carrying on the tradition,” said Peter Kamrowski, a member of Holy Family Parish nearby Belle Prairie. “The Polish are a proud people.”
The 60-member proud-to-be-Polish club carries on traditions by planning and participating in them, thereby keeping their Polish culture alive. For example, they have held a zuppa (soup) supper, festivities during the feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Aug. 26, and, most recently, feasted on Polish paczki (special donuts) in honor of Shrove Tuesday.

The Polish Echos also are planning a first, and possibly annual, Polish Week — with most activities held in Little Falls but then ending with a trip to Chicago.

Dionysia Sanoski and Franciscan Sister Dorothy Ann Rudolph page through a photo album at a Polish Echos meeting. The album was brought by a member of the club for a “show-and-tell” of items relating to Poland. (SCV photo by Sue Schulzetenberg)
	Roman Bonczek holds a picture of Jesus for show-and-tell at a Feb. 20 Polish Echos meeting.

Prayer blankets and shawls provide comfort to the ill and injured

by Sue Schulzetenberg
Visitor Staff Writer

ST. CLOUD DIOCESE — All blankets and shawls give warmth to one’s body. But blankets and shawls created by some parishioners in the St. Cloud Diocese warm not only the bodies but also the souls of fellow parishioners who have fallen ill or are injured.

These “prayer blankets” and “prayer shawls,” as they are called, are made with care and with prayer.

Among parishes in the diocese participating in prayer blanket and shawl projects are Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Millerville, Our Lady of Victory in Fergus Falls and St. Mary Help of Christians in St. Augusta.

“It’s so nice when you get them,” said Marcella Thoennes, a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish in Millerville. “I was real happy.”

Thoennes received the blanket when she was in the hospital this past September. Her purple blanket is embroidered with a heart and the words “You are covered in prayer. Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish, Millerville, MN.”
“It’s beautiful,” Thoennes said.

Benedictine Sister Lucinda Mareck, Gayle Gilbert and Lois Walkowaik hold prayer blankets for adults and babies. All three help with the prayer blanket program at St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in St. Augusta. The prayer blankets are given to adults who are sick or injured, and are also given to parents of newborn babies taking St. Mary Help of Christians’ baptism class. (SCV photos by Sue Schulzetenberg)

Prayer shawls are knitted along with prayers intended for the person who is given the shawl.

Prayer blankets like the one received by Thoennes have been distributed to about 20 to 25 people since the project in Millerville began. Parish volunteers purchase fleece, finish the edges of the blanket so it keeps its shape and embroider a heart along with the “You are covered in prayer” message.

The volunteers pray for those who will receive the blankets, often when they are working on them. After the blankets are completed, they are blessed by Father Eugene Lemm, pastor at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish.

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