Mother of Spokane priest makes quilts for Cor Christi

Rector of Cor Christi, Fr. Daniel Barnett admires the quilts at Bishop White Seminary in Spokane, Aug. 4, 2022 (Inland Catholic Photo/Grant Whitty)

Cathie Semple was attending her local Catholic Daughters chapter meeting last year when she was struck with an idea. The group of women were discussing how they could support Bishop White Seminary's new Cor Christi program—she knew exactly how she could help. 

She began planning what would become a year-long pursuit of making a quilt for each bed in the new McGivney Hall, where the young men who enroll in Cor Christi would live.  

“I had more fabric in my basement than I knew what to do with,” Semple said. “I thought it would be a perfect fit because I love making quilts, and it could make the dorms feel a little more like home.” 

A parishioner at Assumption in northern Spokane, Semple spent the last year making 17 unique quilts, one at a time. Each quilt features a variety of different fabrics, patterns, and colors. Some designs were from the ‘40s, ‘50s, and as far back as the Civil War era. She has been making quilts for over 40 years and mentioned that she couldn't call the project a sacrifice since she had so much fun doing it. 

Fr. Richard Semple, pastor at St. Francis Xavier in Spokane and son of Cathie, couldn’t remember a time when his mother wasn’t making quilts. “I still have a few of my own,” Fr. Semple said. “Young guys may not appreciate something like a hand-made quilt, but she doesn't care. She just wanted to make something that was quality for them.” 

Just a few weeks ago, Semple finished all of the quilts. Reflecting on a year’s worth of work, she said: 

“To be honest, this project has given me purpose this last year. To take unrelated fabric, bring it together in a quilt and give it a real cause—that’s really special. Through these quilts, I hope the young men in Cor Christi will know that someone truly cares that they are there.”  

On Tuesday, the Rector of Cor Christi, Fr. Daniel Barnett, happily received the gift of quilts at Bishop White Seminary. He looks forwards to having them in each room at McGivney Hall, where they will create a warm and homey atmosphere for the young men.