Love of God

RMGS ~ Hospitality & Love of God ~ Sewing II

January 13, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Love of God, RMGS, RMGS 2012-13, Sewing 3 Comments

I apologize for the brief recap. Unfortunately, I have waited too long to create this post and my placenta brain has taken hold of what little recollection I once had. I hope to add more to this post as I am able.

Rosa Mystica Girls’s Society met for our third meeting of the 2012-13 Session on First Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. There were twenty-eight girls in attendance for Mass (as a group) and thirty-two girls for the meeting.

The girls went to their assigned group: Love of God, Industry, Truthfulness, Humility, Piety, and Obedience.

Lesson:

Father B gave his lesson on Love of God with reflection on the life of a saint. — More details to come. —

Skill:

The girls were given their second overview of their sewing project, a simple apron. Each girl was instructed to begin where they left off from the previous meeting.

A complete tutorial for this project was handed out at the previous meeting and is to be included in the girls’ Hospitality Binders.

Four sewing machines were assigned to the older girls so that they could start their sewing. While three machines were reserved for the younger girls to finish up their already started aprons.

There were a few girls who needed to prep their apron. Those girls were given pre-cut fabric and ties. They were instructed to complete the necessary steps so that they could begin their sewing at next month’s meeting.

turn ties if needed
iron waist and neck ties
pin ties to top fabric
pin lining to top fabric, enclosing the ties
help one another

As always, the sewing helpers did a wonderful job instructing the girls while allowing them to be an active participant in the sewing process.

Girls waiting for the sewing machines and girls who completed their aprons, diligently worked on the embroidery name tags. All girls were encouraged to help their neighbor when able.

Fr. B. made his way back to our meeting to supervise the girl’s sewing skills. Fr. B. knows a thing or two about sewing! He also provided the girls and moms with some entertainment.

Handouts:

There were no handouts for this meeting since it was a follow-up of virtue and sewing skills from our meeting in October. The girls were encouraged to take out their Hospitality Binders and work on previous handouts.

AGENDA – Hospitality ~ Love of God ~ Sewing II

Wrap-up:

The girls wrapped up their projects and labeled their work so that it could be easily found at the next meeting. Their group areas were tidied. The worker moms did their magic while I closed the meeting with a recap of the day’s lesson and skill.

The girls were informed that they could take home their apron with the consent of mom.

“Yes! You may take home the apron to work on it as long as you follow the directions that were given in class, bring it back the following month, and I have the consent of your mom.”

The girls were also praised for their hard work in our Fall Bake Sale on October 21.

We closed the meeting with the Angelus, led by Fr. B.

Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, pray for us!

~~~

Thank you to all the moms and girls who gave a hand with instruction and after the meeting for clean-up. We appreciate your help! Things were a bit hectic but it turned out great. We especially appreciate all the help from the moms sharing their skills on the sewing machine. Our goal is to assist the girls in following the complete directions (without deviation) in the skill set while being as hands-off as possible. It’s a fine dance but you all managed to make it look effortless. Great Job! We hope to see you all again for the next two months while we complete the aprons. ALL FOR!

RMGS ~ Hospitality & Love of God ~ Sewing

October 9, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Apron, Love of God, RMGS, RMGS 2012-13, San Bruno, Sewing

Rosa Mystica Girls’s Society met for our second meeting of the 2012-13 Session on First Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. There were twenty-eight girls in attendance for Mass (as a group) and thirty-two girls for the meeting.

Once again, the girls were divided into six groups; Love of God, Industry, Truthfulness, Humility, Piety, and Obedience.

Lesson:

Our new Chaplain, Father B, visited the girls while they were eating snack. The girls stood-up to greet him. Father excused them and invited them to finish their food. In fact, he insisted that they finish eating before he began his lesson. I think it’s a French thing.

Father B’s lesson was on the topic of hospitality and love of God. He spoke about the life of San Bruno, the Benedictine Monks, and the Cartesian monks.

Here are some highlights that I took note of from Father’s talk.

San Bruno, whose feast day we celebrate today (10.6), spent time with the Benedictine Monks. The monk’s role is hospitality, to welcome people. They will take care of everyone who comes to the door. San Bruno wanted more enclosure. He founded the Cartesian Monks with the approval of San Hugues.

The Cartesians live in a monastery that is divided into small houses. Each Cartesian monk lives in his one bedroom, in solitude. He cannot speak all his life. He eats in his room. He prays in solitude. The monk’s life consists solely of work, prayer, and study. It is the most difficult life.

It is said that there are many saints in the Cartesian monasteries that no one knows, only God. They desire to be in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They have a profound humility. In fact, a Cartesian will never name himself as author of a book. His work will only state that it was authored by a Cartesian Monk. Few monks have been canonized because of their humility to remain unknown.

~~~

Why did His heart re-start after three days (Resurrection)? HE LOVES US! Every heartbeat of the Lord is for us, every single one of us!

Is the heart of Jesus still beating today? Yes, because He loves us.

Only one man has listened to the heart of Jesus, who is he? John.

You must take the time to listen to your heart to understand how is works.

In time of trial or temptation, seek to listen to the heart of Jesus. Say, “I would like to listen to the heart of Jesus.” You will see your heart come down and the temptation will be removed.

Love God as He as loved you. Pray for the Blessed Mother’s intercession.

AN ACT OF LOVE

O my God, I love Thee with my whole heart and above all things, because Thou art the supreme Good, and most worthy of our love. For the love of Thee I will love my neighbor as myself.

Skill:

The girls were then given an overview of their sewing project, a simple apron. Each girl was able to select her desired apron combination.

The first group consisted of nineteen girls, ages 9-10. Their aprons were completely prepped for them to begin sewing. Note, the focus of this skill set is to give the girls an introduction to sewing so that they gain interest to continue to learn about the skill.

The other group consisted of nineteen girls, ages 11-13. Those girls were given pre-cut fabric and ties. They were instructed to complete the necessary steps so that they could begin their sewing at next month’s meeting.

Majority of the younger girls had the opportunity to sew at the machine with the guidance of a mom or older sister. Those that were not able to sew will be the first on the sewing machine in November.

The sewing helpers did a wonderful job instructing the girls while allowing them to be an active participant in the sewing process.

The older girls diligently completed their tasks.

turn ties if needed
iron waist and neck ties
pin ties to top fabric
pin lining to top fabric, enclosing the ties
help one another

A complete tutorial for this project was included in the girls’ Hospitality Binders.

Name tags were worked on when the main sewing project was completed.

Handouts:

Agenda for meeting

Prayers:

An Act of Love

Hospitality:

Activity Sheet – Hospitality & Love of God ~ Sewing – includes suggested activities to help the girls grow in virtue and the skill of sewing

Jo’s Boys

Handout on the history of an apron

Theological Virtues Flower

Sewing:

Tutorial: Simple Apron – complete instructions for our sewing project. Inspired by here and here.

Wrap-up:

We began to close the meeting at 11:45pm, thanks to the reminder from Mrs. G – time flies when you’re having fun!

The girls were informed of the new handouts that were placed in their binders. They were encouraged to complete the related activities to further develop a Love of God, hospitality, and sewing skills.

The question of the day was answered, “Can I take home my apron to work on it?” The answer was, “Yes! You may take home the apron to work on it as long as you follow the directions that were given in class, bring it back the following month, and I have the consent of your mom.”

The girls were also reminded about the upcoming Fall Bake Sale on October 21 – sign-up today!

The meeting closed with the Angelus.

Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, pray for us!

~~~

St. Agnes ~ Love of God

January 19, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: January Saints, Little Flowers, Love of God, St. Agnes

“Jesus Christ is my only Spouse.” ~ St. Agnes

St. Agnes’ Feast Day is January 21st in the Traditional and New Calendar

Patron: Affianced couples; betrothed couples; bodily purity; chastity; Children of Mary; Colegio Capranica of Rome; crops; engaged couples; gardeners; girls; rape victims; diocese of Rockville Centre, New York; virgins.

Symbols: Lamb; woman with long hair and a lamb, sometimes with a sword at her throat; woman with a dove which holds a ring in its beak; woman with a lamb at her side.

“This is a virgin’s birthday; let us follow the example of her chastity. It is a martyr’s birthday; let us offer sacrifices; it is the birthday of holy Agnes: let men be filled with wonder, little ones with hope, married woman with awe, and the unmarried with emulation. It seems to me that this child, holy beyond her years and courageous beyond human nature, received the name of Agnes (Greek: pure) not as an earthly designation but as a revelation from God of what she was to be.” ~ St. Augustine

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“May God’s little lamb, St. Agnes of Rome, intercede for us that we would be loyal to the faith she professed! And should we ever be disloyal, may God’s grace bring us to repentance!”

~ Fr. Miguel Marie Soeherman, MFVA

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St. Agnes is the patroness of young girls and her symbol is, naturally, a lamb.

This month’s Little Flowers meeting was on St. Agnes and Love of God. There were 27 girls in attendance. The girls attended Mass with their families. A few were accompanied by Mrs. K and Mrs. C.

Father L was not available this week. He was missed by all.

I opted out of coordinating stations this month. It turned out great.

We recapped last month’s saint and virtue – St. Catherine Laboure & Humility.

The girls then learned about this month’s virtue, Love of God. It is the third theological virtue.

“If I . . . have not charity,” says the Apostle, “I am nothing.” Whatever my privilege, service, or even virtue, “if I . . . have not charity, I gain nothing.”¹⁰³ Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: “So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” ~ CCC 1826

We recalled the two previous theological virtues that were studied. I drew the flower, stem and root diagram to help the girls better understand the three theological virtues.

“Every flower has a root, a stem, a blossom; this last is the fairest of the the three. And it is just the same with the glorious flower which the three theological virtues combine to form. From the root, which is faith, springs the stem, which is hope, and the lovely flower of charity crowns them both.” ~ Father Lasance’s Catholic Girls Guide

The girls also took some time to recollect on ways that they show their love for God. I emphasized God’s call for young children, as stated by Father Lasance.

“If you do not now, in the golden days of youth, obtain the mastery over the devil, the world, and the flesh, you will find it difficult, if not impossible, later on to gain the victor’s crown.” ~ Catholic Girl’s Guide

We also went over how to know God’s will. Father Lasance states, “Sermons, religious instructions, and pious books, will teach you what His will is.”

I tried to hone in on God’s love for us. We discussed the most profound way that He shows His love for us, each day, the sacrifice of the Mass. We also reflected on the fact that Jesus would have been sent to this earth to die for each one of us, even if we were the only one on earth – that’s how much He loves us.

Mrs. S graciously offered to read the brief bio of St. Agnes. The girls were enthralled with Agnes name meaning Lamb in Latin and that she was 12 when she was killed. Her pious youth and profound Love for God was not easy to convey in such a short time. I encouraged all the girls to go home to further discuss the life of St. Agnes with their families.

We made edible heart bracelets for the craft of the month. The hearts were to represent the virtue of Charity – Love of God. The girls enjoyed sewing their bracelets together. They were instructed to perform an act that showed their Love of God, in order to eat a heart from their bracelet. I’m sure their bracelets were gone in no time!

Thank you to all the moms who lent a helping hand. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to serve you and your girls. I appreciate all you do!

St. Agnes, Ora Pro Nobis

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HANDOUTS:

Divider Page
Activity Sheet
Love of God Memory Verse
Coloring Page – St. Agnes from Curmudgeonry
Act of Charity
Love of God Info Sheet (pictured above)
Theological Virtues Flower (pictured above)

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“Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve.” ~ Saint Agnes

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RESOURCES:

St. Agnes Love of God Info Page – inspiration found here by Jessica
St. Agnes Bio – Catholic Culture
St. Agnes Bio – New Advent

RESOURCES FOR KIDS

St. Agnes Bio for Kids – Holy Spirit Interactive
St. Agnes Bio for Families – Domestic-Church.com
St. Agnes Crafts – Catholic Icing
St. Agnes Coloring Page – Paper Dali

CRAFT:

Love of God Candy Heart Bracelet

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Prayers to St. Agnes of Rome

O glorious St. Agnes, you served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific Vision in heaven because you persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the dangers that surround me in the vale of tears, and intercede for me in my needs and troubles. Amen.

~~~

O sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, source of all virtue, lover of virgins, most powerful conqueror of demons, most severe extirpator of vice! Deign to cast Thine eyes upon my weakness, and through the intercession of Mary most blessed, mother and virgin, and of thy beloved spouse, St. Agnes, glorious virgin and martyr, grant me the aid of thy heavenly grace, in order that I may learn to despise all earthly things, and to love what is heavenly, to oppose vice and to be proof against temptation; to walk firmly in the path of virtue, not to seek honors, to shun pleasures, to bewail my past offences, to keep far from the occasions of evil, to keep free from bad habits, to seek the company of the good, and persevere in righteousness, so that, by the assistance of thy grace, I may deserve the crown of eternal life, together with St. Agnes and all the saints, forever and ever, in thy kingdom. Amen.

Love of God Bracelet

January 11, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Crafts, Little Flowers, Love of God, St. Agnes, St. Valentine's Day

These bracelets were made for our last Little Flower’s meeting ~ St. Agnes & Love of God. The girls were thrilled to have an edible craft and motivated* to find new ways to show & grow in their Love of God.

I found my inspiration from Brown Paper Packages.

SUPPLIES:

candy hearts ($1.99/bag. ea bag yields 4 – 8 piece bracelets)
dental floss ($0.88/55 yards of floss. 55 yards yields 30+ bracelets)
needle, with large eye ($0.97/18 needles)
ribbon ($0.57/yard. 16 yards needed for 30 bracelets. 8 – 3in ribbon cuts/bracelet)
scissors

$0.88 per bracelet

DIRECTIONS:
1. cut a long piece of floss. thread the needle.

2. insert the threaded needle into the heart at the widest part of the candy. these candies are firm and it takes some effort to push the needle completely through the hearts. push the needle down on the table to fully insert it through the candy. continue to pull the needle completely through and push the candy further down the floss. don’t worry about the floss and needle getting sticky. it’s all part of the fun.

3. repeat the above step until there are enough hearts threaded for the desired length. be certain that the bracelet will be able to fit over the hand once tied. girls 5-7years old needed 8 hearts on each of their bracelets.
4. tie the two ends of floss together to make a bracelet. trim the ends.
5. tie short pieces of ribbon in between the hearts.

each girl was encouraged to wear their bracelets often.

*they were instructed to complete an act to show their Love of God, before eating a candy (and checking with mom).

By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. Charity, the form of all the virtues, "binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Col 3:14). ~ CCC 1844

Prayers to St. Agnes of Rome

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