Rosary Beads and Saints

Maureen C from Kemmaur's Corner (check it out, she is doing a good series of posts for beginning CQ people), posted the comment below, and I have brought it up to the top again, as I am having serious thoughts about these beads, and was wondering what others think.

Maureen wrote:

I've been reading your various postings on the Rosary beads with interest. I have several sets of Rosaries (complete and broken!) some of which date back to the 50s(1950!!)Funny though,I could never use the broken ones in my CQ........just doesn't seem "right"And I won't bore you on how I cringe when I see people wearing them,most inappropriately in my opinion, as jewellery/personal adornment with all sorts of get-ups that defy description.
BTW:some of my "old" holy pictures do translate rather well to being printed on fabric! [End of Maureen's voice]

I am not a Catholic, so I know I could not have the same feeling about Rosary beads. And I have been wondering if my sending them to people unasked, or putting them on RR pieces unasked, could actually be offensive to people. Firstly to those who, like Maureen, could not bear to see them made into anything other than a Rosary (and I totally respect that feeling).

And, secondly, there are those out there who may have had an unfortunate experience with the Catholic Church (no details necessary), who may be hurt or offended by receiving them unasked. So far there is one on a RR piece, and I shall check with that person if that is okay, but I am now tending towards not giving them to people unasked.

But I do still feel it is okay for me to take them from the bottom of a basket of junk in an Op Shop and restore them to being something precious, although in a different form - maybe even in conjunction with people feeling they may be blessed by the prayers said over them.

What do other people think???? I don't know if the Catholic Church has some form of "finalisation" for a Rosary???? Such as the only way to "finalise" a flag is to burn it with respect???? Are there any other items out there that are "sacred" (in both meanings of the word) that should NOT be used in CQ??? Or used only after very careful thought?

And, a PS for Maureen - have you had a look at the Catholic Church site of Saints??? Heaps of lovely pictures there, and already digitised. I was going to write that I just wished St Phocas (Patron Saint of Gardeners), looked, well, more gardener-like. But I see they have a new picture on there.

Although the one of St Clare of Assisi (one of the Patron Saints of Needleworkers) doesn't excite me. However the one of Rose of Lima (also for Needleworkers) is a nicer picture. There are a few patron Saints for Needleworkers - take your pick.