By Reagan Scott
for the Register
In the fall of 2023, Father Kenneth Borowiak, then pastor of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln, asked the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) if they would be able to provide him with rosaries that he could distribute in his ministry.
Just over a year later, something that started as a small task has had a much more far-reaching effect, as hundreds of hand-made rosaries have been distributed to members of St. Michael Parish.
Kris Morgan, a member of the PCCW and one of the co-chairs for the rosary ministry, said when Father Borowiak first asked about having rosaries made, none of the women knew how. However, she was able to attend a class at a parish in Arizona that winter, learned the craft and found a supplier for the beads, centerpieces and crucifixes, a company called Our Lady’s Rosary Makers.
Armed with knowledge, Morgan returned to Lincoln to share what she had learned, and was joined by Janet Adams, Judy Charlson and Michelle Kreifels, who all now serve as co-chairs for the ministry.
As the women began to make rosaries in black, white and red (St. Michael School colors) for the priests to distribute at funerals and during home and hospital visits, they taught others and created a network of helpers who all found beauty in the work.
“It is a craft that can help us learn about prayer, and strengthen our connection to it,” Morgan said.
It wasn’t long before the women began to ask themselves, “What else could we do with these?”
Now, the ministry provides blue and white rosaries for members of the Legion of Mary to hand out during visits, clear and black rosaries with St. Gertrude prayer cards for the funeral ministry, and pink or blue rosaries for baptisms.
The ministry also engages students in their efforts. Last year, they provided rosaries for the school’s second- and fifth-graders for their first Communion and Confirmation, and for the parish’s eighth grade students for graduation. Whether they attended St. Michael School or were enrolled in CCD, the students received rosaries in Pius X High School’s green and gold, or the colors of the public high school they would be attending.
Morgan said this year the ministry will provide 41 rosaries to graduating students, and 153 rosaries for students receiving their first Communion or being confirmed.
Additionally, the women taught the fourth-grade girls at St. Michael School how to make rosaries while the boys went through altar server training, as well as 35 middle school and 34 third-grade CCD students.
Father Cole Kennett, the current pastor for St. Michael Church, blessed the rosaries and taught the students how to care for blessed items.
Charlson said it was particularly enjoyable working with the students, who now recognize the women if they see them at the parish.
“It’s really helped make the PCCW more visible,” Morgan said.
Father Borowiak liked the rosaries so much that Morgan and Adams traveled out to Friend last year, where he now serves as pastor for St. Joseph Parish. There, they taught members of the church’s PCCW how to make the rosaries as well.
The highlight of the PCCW’s efforts though, came in October, the month of the rosary. During the month, they set up a table display in the church narthex with rosaries in a myriad of colors available for parishioners to take.
“It was very well received, and a beautiful display,” Adams said. “It went wonderfully well.”
All told, the ministry distributed 560 rosaries during the month at no cost to anyone. Each rosary costs about 50 cents to make, with the majority of the expenses being covered by the PCCW, although they do get some donations to put toward the cost of materials.
The cost is immaterial however, when there’s an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life by providing them access to the devotional.
Adams said, “You never know the impact, or how many people you’re going to reach.”
Not everyone involved in the ministry has to make rosaries. Others have found their stride putting together rosary kits, which contain all of the beads and cord necessary to make the rosaries. These kits are left in the narthex of the church where anyone is welcome to take them home, and return completed rosaries back to the church.
Morgan said it was the efforts of four or five women who did this often that yielded so many rosaries for the October display.
Once a month, the PCCW hosts rosary-making sessions for those who want to come spend time in community, either practicing the craft or learning for the first time.
“It’s a nice social outing, and helps the church community,” Adams said.
This year, parishioners are invited to attend sessions to either learn or enjoy community while they work on the third Wednesday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. in the St. Gabriel Room at St. Michael Church.
The sessions average a dozen attendees, and individuals from other parishes who might like to learn are invited to reach out to Morgan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Adams (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Charlson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to confirm a session to visit and ensure that the women have enough kits available.
Whether received after Mass, for a special occasion or in a time of need, the rosaries provided by the PCCW have the opportunity to change lives, with one bead strung at a time.
“It’s truly incredible to see how the Rosary Ministry has touched so many lives,” Father Kennett said. “With all the rosaries distributed, not only has this deepened personal prayer lives but also strengthened our sense of community. It unites us in faith through Mary’s intercession. This ministry has been a beautiful reminder that something as simple as a rosary can bring great comfort, hope and grace to those who receive it.”
SNR photos | Natalie Bender. Click for more photos.
