by Katie Patrick
There’s always been something comforting to me about the sound of a sewing machine, in part because of my efforts in the Congo, where I support an ever-growing group of women learning how to sew, but it’s also the memories that I have sewing with my mom and my grandma.
Truth be told, many of those moments took place days, if not hours before the county fair when I quite literally put pedal to the metal. But there were also the slower-paced moments like when I made a beautiful quilted angel wall hanging. I distinctly remember the precision of cutting, ironing, and sewing those little angels.
How does a memory that I have some 20 years ago seem so fresh in my mind? Because sewing, like many hobbies, though for some a livelihood, can impact other parts of our lives: stimulating and fulfilling us physically, mentally, and spiritually – like in the case of CSS’s dear friend, Blanca Fowler:
“When I was younger, I came to the United States married and could barely speak English and didn’t know anyone. Everything was different—the food, the weather, etc. I felt sad and depressed. I even went to another religion after they came and knocked on my door, and since I was desperate and alone, they took me.
“One day I heard about a sewing class so I joined it. I loved the classes; I made friends and my world changed and thank God, I also returned to my Catholic church! That is what I wish for all people: that they feel welcomed and loved in the Catholic Church. I led an evangelization group called La Guadalupana in my parish Cristo Rey and we are working on holding a retreat very soon and taking the opportunity to evangelize our first sewing students. I invited them to the retreat and they all accepted the invitation! Evangelization and sewing go hand in hand in these classes. The sewing teachers are Catholic and they are volunteers and they are happy to teach us.
“I want to thank Catholic Social Services for the great blessing of donating the sewing machines that we needed so much so people who could not register for the class due to lack of machines can now be part of this class. May God bless you and continue to give you much more!”
CSS is the thankful one: thankful to have been asked to help purchase some of the sewing machines, thankful for the presence of Blanca in the lives of these women, and tremendously thankful for the enthusiasm she has for sharing her Catholic faith with those around her.
So maybe it isn’t the sound of the sewing machine itself that I love, but the hum of women chattering away and laughing in the background. It’s the companionship that is forming, the mistakes being kindly mended, and the feeling of accomplishment when the item is complete – and in this scenario, the path to heaven being so beautifully sewn. Thank you, Blanca!
