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Sandy Hook-Quilts2Heal

As we reflect back on the tragedy of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT, many of us have asked ourselves, "What can I do to help?" Dr. Paula De Silva CBS Class of 2013 and member of St. Ann Parish, Avon took charge.

In her own creative, unique way, Dr. De Silva organized over 200 volunteers to create quilts for each of the 26 teachers and children killed on that day, in hopes that they can bring some degree of comfort to traumatized families and the Newtown community. Seamstresses, donors, couriers, pray-ers: these are the folks who came together to create Quilts2Heal.

Fabrics from Sweden!

Fabrics collected from across the country and around the world were pieced together by volunteers, incorporating themes to represent the passions, accomplishments and dreams of each of those lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School. And did they get it right! A sister of one of the teachers exclaimed, “Everything my sister loved!” And from a classmate of one of the little boys, “You got him, 110%!”

In order to send these quilts on their way in the most spiritual and loving way possible, a Blessing Ceremony was held during Sunday liturgy on April 21 at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, with a beautiful blessing for the quilts and all the Sandy Hook –Quilts2Heal volunteers. Every person who came to the blessing ceremony was given a 6” square of fabric, each representing fabrics in the quilts.

Thank you for all your prayers: for the families and for the Sandy Hook-Quilts2Heal project. From the Archdiocese of Hartford to each and every person who made this endeavor a labor of love and comfort: our deepest gratitude. To the Sandy Hook community: We continue to pray for all of you.

Holy Family Blessing Ceremony, April 21, 2013