Rosaries made by hand for church

The recitation of the Holy Rosary is considered the perfect prayer because it includes the story of salvation.

For Cindy Pardini, the rosary is a creation by her and for the Corpus Christi parish and children in religious-education classes.

"I'm a one-woman production," Pardini said. "I usually make them while sitting in a chair in the living room."

Pardini confesses she doesn't usually recite the "Hail Mary" unless she's attending a funeral, but she takes care in the making of each rosary.

"I started making them about two years ago," she said. "Audrey Porcella, who was the 'Rosary Guild' before me, asked for volunteers to assist her and it seemed to be right up my alley.

"She had to have 500 in three weeks. We got them done. Shortly after that, she said she needed to turn it over (to someone else) and would I be interested.

"Now, I'm it. I do get help from my husband. He's OK with threading the beads, but not the knots."

Pardini lays out 59 beads on a towel; 50 are of the same size, the other nine are slightly larger.

The first (large) bead is to pray one "Our Father," followed by three smaller beads for reciting the "Hail Mary." The space after the third bead is for "Glory Be," then another larger bead for the "First Mystery" and another "Our Father." This portion is what dangles from the rosary.

At the joining of the circle is a piece representing "Hail Holy Queen," followed by a space for "Glory Be." The next five sections each have 10 beads for 10 "Hail Marys," followed by a space for "Glory Be" and a larger bead for "Our Father" and a mystery.

At the end of the rosary is the sign of the cross and the "Apostles' Creed."

"I can usually turn out 10 complete rosaries in two days. I'm well supplied at home."

Pardini orders the beads and cord from Our Lady Rosary Supply Co. in Kentucky. She can get any color bead she wants, but usually asks for a mix.

"Audrey told me making a rosary for someone is like giving them a dozen roses," Pardini said. "It brings a smile to someone's face, and it's a way for me to be involved with the church."

Pardini, 47, has been a lector for about one year at the church and is preparing for Eucharist training. She is a recent convert to Catholicism. She did it because she wanted the spiritual bond with her husband.

"We get a lot out of our church," she said. "We enjoy Father Jim (Setelik) and his homilies. He's a very knowledgeable man."

Pardini and youth minister Karen Smeath have agreed it would be beneficial for Pardini to teach rosary making to the youth in CCD.

"It's comforting to know they're going into the hands of children in CCD," Pardini said. "And for them to learn the rosary.

"Father Jim also blesses the rosaries before he gives them to Karen."

Setelik hands out rosaries once a year after Mass, during sacrament and at first communions.

Pardini said, "Recently, I flew to Florida to visit my mother. A lady seated next to me on the place said she felt safer sitting next to me while I was making the rosaries.

"I had never thought of that, but it kind of did add a feeling of safety. I don't pray while making the rosaries, but I do say my prayers with God."

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.