The Maui quilters, from left, Linda Marquez, Eloise Okimoto, Doris Kraszewski, Jean Andrews, Laura Legsay, Rachel Medeiros and Lisa Silva. (Courtesy photo)
A small group of Maui quilters turn a home craft into a warm-hearted ministry touching many
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Square black-and-white fabric patches printed with the logo of NFL Raiders football team are arranged diagonally beside squares of blue, orange and other colors. Together they fashion a personal quilt, a special blanket of love created for a special person by a special ministry on Maui. The seven quilters add the final touch — hand-tied knots at the corners of each square — as they whisper prayers for the special intentions of the quilt’s intended recipient.
Once finished, the handmade creation is given four church blessings, first at Holy Ghost Mission in Kula at the Saturday vigil Mass; at the 7 a.m. Mass the next day at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Keokea; then back to Holy Ghost Mission for the 9:30 a.m. Mass; and finally at the 12:30 p.m. Mass at St. James the Less Mission in Ulupalakua. The three churches all belong to Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish.
Thus saturated with prayer and positive wishes, the quilt is laid in the hands of its chosen owner, an ill or homebound person who will benefit from the human and physical warmth the quilt provides.
Lisa Silva, founder of the quilt ministry at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, explained. “Father blesses it at the end of Mass and uses holy water and says a specific prayer. Then we [the parishioners] all put our hands up and pray over the quilt as a community. Then they do the same thing at the next Mass, and the same thing at the next.”
It’s a routine each quilt has followed.
The quilting group formed in 2017 when Silva’s stepmom gave her the idea. It started as friends who made quilts for those in the parish who were unwell or who had faced tragedy. Their ministry has since reached across the island, and even beyond the sea.
“There was a group of women that were human-trafficked and so their organization contacted us because they found out about our quilts,” said Silva.
The ministry made 12 quilts that were given to the human trafficking victims during a retreat on the mainland.
Henrietta Chong’s quilt features flowers and books, and a Scripture quote. (Courtesy photo)
Comforting the sick
The quilts have also touched the lives of those battling cancer. The group made more than 100 quilts for cancer patients at the Pacific Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society Maui County branch. This does not include the 244 additional blankets they made for others around the island.
“If it’s a specific cancer, we put a cancer ribbon into the quilt for that cancer,” said Silva.
The hospital then reached out and asked if the group could donate some quilts.
“They [the hospital] stopped providing blankets,” said Silva. “Here on Maui, we only have one hospital and I guess they were overrun with just everything.”
So the quilters got to work. In one month’s time, they made 26 quilts for the patients.
One of the cancer recipients was a fellow parishioner who they know and love dearly.
Forever treasure
Henrietta Chong would constantly request quilts for sick persons she knew. Little did she know that she would be requesting one for herself when she was diagnosed in May with thyroid cancer.
The idea of requesting a quilt did not even come to mind. It was not until she went to church to make a request for someone else that the secretary at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish encouraged her to do so for herself.
“I had given her the name of someone for a quilt and she said, ‘Oh, what about you?’” said Chong.
She was pleasantly taken aback at the thought of getting her own quilt. She immediately made the request.
Upon completing crucial surgery for the cancer, her customized quilt was ready to receive her. It was filled with blue and white patches and decorated with flowers and books. All her favorite things. But what she cherished most was a Bible verse that was ironed on the back.
“I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). It is a verse that she holds dear to her heart. It was more than what she ever imagined.
“When I got the quilt, I wrapped myself in it and I just loved it. It just meant a lot,” said Chong. “I appreciate having something homemade.”
She said because she knows all the hard work and prayers that are behind each quilt, she will be treasuring it forever.
“I sent them a picture of me with the quilt sitting there with it covering me. I sent a ‘thank you’ note along with that picture,” said Chong.
Losing one of their own
Lyndell Beach was one of the original members of the quilt ministry. From the beginning she had poured her heart into each quilt she crafted.
Then in May of 2021 she was hit with tragic news; she was diagnosed with cancer.
After the diagnosis the ladies in the ministry did what they did best. They got together, prayed, and created a beautiful quilt for their dear Lyndell.
Sadly she passed away five months later. All the love and blessings that were poured onto the quilt, however, went with her. She was cremated with it.
Shortly after, the women reached out to Beach’s daughter Rachel Medeiros and convinced her to join the group her mother loved so much.
Medeiros has been crafting quilts ever since. She has been a lovely reminder to the ministry of her mother.
“It’s wonderful to have her with us,” said Silva.
Traveling quilts
Many recipients have loved their quilts so much that they have requested to be buried or cremated with it.
“That’s what makes it [the blessings] so powerful,” said Silva.
She said it’s overwhelmingly beautiful to hear how much these quilts have comforted people when they needed it most.
Silva shared a story about a young man who was hit by a car and died from his injuries not too long after.
While he was fighting for his life, the ministry quickly made him a quilt.
Little did they know the impact it made on him and his family.
“The family later told us he was buried with it,” said Silva. “And there’s so many stories like that.”
Made with love
These creations are all made by the hands of seven women. Most of them are retired. Silva is a kindergarten teacher. They meet every Thursday at one of the members’ houses. Usually it takes one to two weeks to complete one quilt.
One person picks up the material and the rest get to work sewing and tying the squares with knots until it reaches its full 45-inch by 60-inch form. While that’s happening, each member prays over the quilt. Then they sign it off with a psalm patch, the church label, and a miraculous medal of Our Lady.
Each quilt is custom-made to the specific likings of the recipient. A job starts with a request form filled out by the recipient who indicates his or her personal interests.
“We ask them what their favorite colors are, what are their favorite things to do or their likes and dislikes,” said Silva.
One key requirement is that each recipient must give his or her approval to receive a quilt.
“You need to make sure that they’re okay with it because it is going to be announced at church,” said Silva. “We don’t want anyone to be surprised; or perhaps they have an illness which they are not wanting to share about. If that’s the case, we have done some that are anonymous.”
Putting their skills to good use, Silva said, the quilters never imagined the gracious response from the community.
“It is just so wonderful to hear these stories and to have people share with us how much it meant to them,” said Silva. “It’s a blessing for us as well. You know how they say, the people are being blessed; but we are being blessed as well by being able to do this for people.”
Silva said none of this would be possible without the members devoting their time in prayer and their craft for the sake of others.
“The resilience of these ladies that I work with is incredible. We get together each and every week. We love being able to give back to our community and to those in need,” said Silva.
Silva said the impact the ministry has had on themselves and others should be shared across the islands. “I hope it encourages other parishes to start one on their own,” said Silva. Its effect can be “powerful.”
Quilt requests can be made to Our Lady Queen of Angels Church at 808-878-1261. All you have to do is ask for a quilt and they will direct you to where you can fill out the form.
