Sights & Sounds: Making baby blankets to honor Saint Phoebe

Women from Holy Trinity Parish in Westfield, NJ, gathered on Sept. 4 to honor Saint Phoebe, whose feast occurred the day before. They created a dozen flannel baby blankets for The Mercy House, which serves the needs of the communities in its three locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth.

The “Tying Knots for St. Phoebe” event reflected the service-oriented spirit of one of the Church’s first saints.

Saint Phoebe is mentioned in Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans:

I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is [also] a minister of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me as well.”

– Romans 16:1-2

While it is unknown what exact tasks Phoebe carried out in service to the Church, she must have been willing to make great sacrifices to support her fellow Christians. Rome is more than 620 miles from Cenchreae (located near Corinth in Greece). Traveling there would have involved a risky sea journey.

About twenty women gathered at Holy Trinity and began the day in prayer, acknowledging Saint Phoebe as a servant and benefactor, and asking God to grant them “the courage and humility we need to embrace our own vocation and to recognize the gifts given by the Spirit to each member of the community.”

The blankets they made will be delivered to The Mercy House location in Elizabeth.

You can view more images from the “Tying Knots for St. Phoebe” event in our PHOTO GALLERY.

To learn more about The Mercy House, click HERE.

Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.

Featured image: Women from Holy Trinity Parish in Westfield, NJ make baby blankets in honor of Saint Phoebe. (Photo by Robert Kaplan)