FOR MEMBERS OF SAINTS Simon & Jude quilting club, some of whom have been with the club since its inception more than a quarter century ago, it’s all about faith, fellowship and friendships for life.
SAINTS SIMON & JUDE’S QUILTING CLUB IS ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE CHURCH QUILTING CLUBS IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. PHOTO BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
One of the most active church quilting groups in the Diocese of Orange, the 15 to 30 women (men are a rarity) who quilt on the first Wednesday evening of the month in the community center of the Huntington Beach parish craft beautiful creations at an astounding rate, many of which go to local non-profits and charities.
The group works on a common project every month with a different member leading.
The oldest quilter is 86 and the youngest is 12. That pre-teen, Nikki, was just a baby laying on a blanket in the corner of the room when her mother, Tish, joined the group. Nikki now is a full-fledged member who already has designed a quilt and has led at meetings.
“It doesn’t get any better than that,” said Pam Gayle, who got involved in the quilting group when it formed in 1998.
One of the most experienced members of the group, Gayle got involved with it when it first formed.
“It’s not even about the quilt at all,” she said, “but about the relationships that happen.”
GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDDAUGHTER
Dottie Cardullo, who started quilting when she was 20, is one of the club’s founders.
The former parish office employee and two friends, Julie Jacinto and Christina Flores, had been quilting at a Protestant church. But they got tired of the commute and launched the club with the blessing of the pastor of Saints Simon & Jude at the time, Fr. Alex.
The shelter for pregnant women in crisis, Casa Teresa, local hospitals, schools, veterans’ groups, senior facilities and a long list of other organization and charities have been the grateful beneficiaries of the quilts, which also have been as staple at parish fund-raisers.
Cardullo and her granddaughter, Madison, are one of two grandma-grandkid combos in the club. Madison attended Saints Simon & Jude from K-8 grade. Around sixth grade, she began attending the sewing club.
“Initially, I joined to learn a new skill from the lovely guild ladies,” says Madison, now 28.
After going through high school, college and establishing her career as a dietitian, Madison still finds herself drawn back to the guild.
“Recently, I’ve been attending more consistently, not only to learn new techniques from the incredible women in the guild but also to spend quality time with my Nana,” she said. “If you ask anyone in the guild, they’ll tell you that Dottie is truly a gem — she knows almost everything there is to know about sewing.”
QUILTING DURING COVID
Several club members recalled the challenges of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pat Jeffords, a member for six years, describes how one person would choose a pattern and cut out the pieces needed to make all the blocks. Members would sign up to participate in sewing the blocks and pick up a packet with the fabric pieces from the leader’s house.
The leader then would post a video she made demonstrating how to sew the pieces together to form the block. After about a week, the finished blocks were dropped off at the leader’s house and she would sew them together into a finished quilt top.
“This was a very helpful activity during COVID and kept many of us relatively sane during that challenging time,” Jeffords recalled.
Said Mary Lu Booker, a 10-year club member: “We didn’t falter during COVID but became closer and worked harder during those times.”
Cardullo was quick to point praise at fellow club member Rose Ram, who she refers to as “the hub of the group who keeps everything humming.”
USING GOD’S GIFTS
Once quilters join the club, they tend to stay.
“The first meeting put the bug into me, and I was hooked,” said Vicky Walters, who has been sewing since she was 12.
Adds Walters: “My heart sings every time I complete a quilt.”
Pam Hogan, a relatively new member, didn’t know what to expect when she joined the group.
“The members were so welcoming and so helpful and their mission to help others was so inspirational,” Hogan said. “It’s such a little gift of time and effort, yet the rewards are indescribable.”
Club members say the quilting sessions deepen their faith.
“When you’re bound by prayer, friendship, and the love of quilting — I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything,” Gayle said.
Walters said giving back is what it’s all about.
“I have been given so much and feel blessed every day,” she shared. “I want to give back as much as I can. This is how I earn my way into heaven, by making quilts and other things for those in need.”
Cardullo, who at meetings typically mentors others, shared: “Our feeling is, God has given us a creative gift and we come together in fellowship as Catholics. I’m using the gifts God gave me to serve my family and my community.”