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Little Flowers Retreat ~ America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother

by Filed Under: Little Flowers, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patriotic, Retreat, Wreath III

retreat logo - America for Mary, Our Blessed Motherv2

This was the final meeting and retreat of my Little Flower leadership.  The theme of the retreat was our country – America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother.

Retreat pic JOY

It was a blessed day spent with twenty-three Little Flowers, several moms, some sibling helpers, and a couple of Priests.

The day started at 9am with our regular LF format.  Then we celebrated Mass, had lunch, and transitioned into our retreat.  Below is a brief overview of our schedule for the day that I loosely followed.

P62003279:00 – Arrival

9:10 – Attendance Roll, Prayer

9:15 – Recap Saints & Virtues for the Year

9:25 – Saint & Virtue Lesson – St. Anne & Responsibility

9:45 – Review Take-home Packet and update BinderRecently Updated84

9:55 – Craft – Spiritual Bouquet

10:30 – Snack

10:45 – Outdoor Play – jump rope, parachute, tag, races, hula-hoop, and more.

11:45 – Clean-up and restroom break

12:00 – Depart for prayer time in Church

12:15 – Mass

1:00 – Lunch

1:30 – Craft Rotation – God Bless America windsock and Love of Country Handprint Flag T-Shirt

2:15 – Clean-up

2:20 – Out Door Activities – St. Joan of Arc Water Wars, Crown of Mary Relay, and Gracefilled bubbles

3:00 – Snack

3:15 – Free play

4:10 – Clean-up

4:15 – Cool Snack

4:25 – Rosary

4:40 – Pack-up

4:45 – Quiet Craft – Patriotic Jewelry with pipe cleaners and pony beads

4:55 – Snack

5:00 Depart

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Little Flowers Retreat 2012

America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother

CRAFTS:

God Bless America Wind socks

God Bless America Windsocks

God Bless America windsock at rectory

windsock displayed at the Rectory

Love of Country handprint shirt

Love of Country Handprint Flag T-Shirt

OUTDOOR PLAY:

Crown of Mary relay

Crown of Mary Relay

water wars

St. Joan of Arc Water Wars

LF at play

Gracefilled Bubbles & Free Play

LF Friendships with Father

Patriotic Popsicles, Rosary, Friends & Fellowship

CRAFT:

Patriotic Jewelry

America for Mary Jewelry

~~~

America for Mary, Our Blessed Mother logo

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the Holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities, and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary, and Mother of the True God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, of burning charity, and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

St. Anne ~ Responsibility ~ Mum

by Filed Under: 07 July Saints, Little Flowers, Spiritual Bouquet, St. Anne, Wreath III

St. ANNE

SAINT ANNE
Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Old ~ Feast Day – July 26

Anne and Joachim, her husband, were both of the royal house of David. They served God continually in prayer and good works, but were looked down upon by the Jews because they were childless. At length God gave them a daughter, who was to become the mother of His own divine son. Because St. Anne devoted herself ceaselessly to educating her child in innocence and sanctity, she is patron of all Christian mothers. St. Paul says that it is by a holy exercise of their parenthood that parents are to be saved (Col. 3:18-21).

~~~

I will meet on June 20 for the last Little Flowers meeting of the year.  It has become a tradition to hold a day retreat for the last meeting of the year.  We start the day with our normal meeting agenda.  Then we break for Mass.  We have lunch and then move onto the “retreat.”  The retreat is time for faithfilled crafts, activities, and social time.  Last year we were blessed to be joined by Father and two seminarians (who were ordained on 5.19).

This year’s retreat will start with a meeting on St. Anne & Responsibility.  The second half of the day will be the official retreat — America for Mary, our Blessed Mother.

~~~

Handouts:

Resources:

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***UPDATE***

P6200353The Little Flowers completed a Spiritual Bouquet for Father L, in thanksgiving for his devoted care to the LF over the years.

Girls Retreat 6.202

Recently Updated84

click here for a printable spiritual bouquet sheet that can be used for children to draw a picture on and complete the sentence, I will offer for you and your intentions…

~~~

You, my dear child, have a very difficult and 
responsible task — you have to preserve your inno- 
cence; therefore go to your mother, to Mary, 
the sweet Mother of God. Dangers threaten, and 
hellish foes pursue you ; therefore fly to your Mother 
and cling fast to her protecting hand.

 

~ Fr. Lasance Catholic Girls Guide

 

 

st anne -holycard

St. Julie Billiart ~ Fortitude ~ Hyacinth

by Filed Under: 04 April Saints, Little Flowers, St. Julie Billiart, Wreath III

“Oh, how good God is!” ~St. Julie Billiart
Ah, qu’il est bon, le bon Dieu
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Saturday was the seventh Little Flowers meeting for 2011-2012.  There are only two more meetings to go for Wreath III, not including our participation in the Marian Procession.
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“By union with God we shall gain hearts…. Without this union we will but make a little noise.” ~ Saint Julie Billiart

4_8_julie

SAINT JULIE BILLIART
Religious
Old ~ Feast Day – April 8
Sixth of seven children of peasant farmers Jean-François Billiart and Marie-Louise-Antoinette Debraine. She was poorly educated, but knew her catechism by heart at age 7, and used to explain it to other children. At age 14 she took a private vow of chastity, and gave her life to serving and teaching the poor. At age 22, she was sitting next to her father when some one shot at him; the shock left her partially crippled for 22 years. During the French Revolution, a group of her friends helped organize the work she’d started. Julia was miraculously healed of her paralysis on 1 June 1804, and resumed her work. Her organization became the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame (Institute of Notre Dame; Sisters of Notre Dame), dedicated to the Christian education of girls, formerly established in Amiens in, the first vows being made by Saint Julia and two others on 15 October 1804. The Congregation By the time of her death the Institute had 15 convents. ~SQPN
~~~

I discussed the life of St. Julie Billiart with the girls.  They were immediately drawn into her pious life as a young girl.  The girls also were excited to hear that she was part of a large family with seven children.  Many of the girls come from such a family.  C’s family has 12 children with one in heaven.

The girls could not believe that during St. Julie’s life one could not receive First Holy Communion until the early teen years.

We discussed the specific times in St. Julies life when her fortitude was most noticeable.  Then the girls thought of ways to work on fortitude in their home.  Mrs. D offered an example for the girls to work on fortitude.

“Doing school work to it’s completion, in a timely manner, with a cheerful smile, and to mom’s satisfaction.”
“Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” -CCC: 1808

Our discussion on fortitude led us to the craft of the month – Mini Empty Tomb Garden.  I thought this was a perfect craft for the Lenten Season and the virtue of fortitude. (I hope to create and link to a tutorial within the week.)

Jesus’ fortitude that culminated in His death and resurrection.IMG_1107
The girls were instructed to say an ejaculation to the Good Lord every time they water/care for their garden.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
“How good is the good God.” ~St. Julie Billiart
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IMG_1081
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The girls created beautiful Mini Empty Tomb Gardens with the help of several moms.  A special thanks goes out to all the moms and siblings who offer a hand at the meetings and to those who work behind the scenes.  This is truly a group ministry.  Praise God!
IMG_1100
We returned to the room for our closing.  Father L gave us a visit.  He spoke about the Lenten Season and took time for questions.  The girls received their blessing and gave Father a farewell.  The older girls of the group presented Father with His own Mini Empty Tomb Garden.
S and her mom passed out the second snack, cupcakes in honor of S’s birthday on Monday.  There are three other LF who will be celebrating their birthday in March, including myself.  Birthday Blessings to all the March birthdays.
St. Julie Billiart ~ ora pro nobis
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Handouts:

Resources:

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“I ought to die of shame to think I have not already died of gratitude to my good God.” ~St. Julie Billiart
“Let us pray more and more that the Kingdom of God may spread everywhere in the hearts of all. The harvest is great but there are no labourers. Let us work at becoming good labourers!” ~St. Julie Billiart
“The good God will give you grace and light to know what is right at the time.” ~St. Julie Billiart
“Days of darkness are perhaps our best and happiest days for glorifying the good of God.” ~Julie Billiart

St. Margaret of Scotland ~ Initiative ~ Black Eyed Susan

by Filed Under: 06 June, 06 June Saints, Lent, Little Flowers, St. Margaret of Scotland, Wreath III

Here’s a quick recap of my sixth meeting of the year for Little Flowers.

The meeting was held on the First Saturday of February.  We took up three pews at Mass.  Thirty-four girls were in attendance.  This included some new members and the girls preparing for First Holy Communion with Father L.

We did the normal routine; grace, snack and social time, reviewed last month’s saint and virtue, introduced the saint and virtue of the month, studied the coordinating flower, listened to a talk from Father L, received a blessing, worked on a related craft/project,  updated LF binders, and closed with a prayer.

~~~

saint-margaret-of-scotland-nov-16

SAINT MARGARET
QUEEN OF SCOTLAND
Widow

Old ~ Feast Day – June 10 – New ~ Feast Day – November 16

The granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England, Margaret (c. 1050-93) married King Malcolm III of Scotland. Malcolm perceived that Christ dwelt in the heart of his queen and he was always ready to follow her advice. The royal couple’s chief aims in life were to serve the Church, to maintain justice and to make their subjects happy. Queen Margaret was known as the mother of orphans and the treasurer of the poor of Jesus Christ. Her private life was most austere, and she carefully educated her eight children in the fear and love of God.

~~~

11_16_margaret2

Patron: Death of children; large families; learning; queens; Scotland; widows.

Symbols: Black cross; sceptre and book; hospital.
Often portrayed as: queen, often carrying a black cross, dispensing gifts to the poor.

~~~

The lesson of St. Margaret of Scotland and the virtue of initiative extended into the craft/project time.  I opted out of a traditional craft.  Instead, I coordinated a Lenten Donation Drive. 

lenten dontation drive

Father L and I thought this would be a fruitful way to celebrate St. Margaret of Scotland’s charity.  It was also an act of initiative for the girls to begin their preparation for Lent.

 JOYfilledfamily

Lenten Donation Drive handout pic

lf initiative

The girls decorated fliers to post around the parish and to distribute to family, friends, neighbors, and etc…

lenten collage

All items collected, from now until the end of Lent, will be donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul.  This corporal work of mercy will be a beautiful gift to Jesus from all the girls and their families. 

lf blessing 
~~~

The girls showed more initiative by preparing something special for Fr. L, Fr. S, and Fr. M, in honor of St. Valentine.  The girls had to complete the following sentence, “I love my Priests because____________.”  I recorded each response on a pink doily.  Each girl signed her love note. 

initiative donation

I took the love notes home to create a banner.  I had initially planned to hang the banner in the parish office but soon realized that the banner was far too big, and wonderful, for the closed quarters. 

love banner

I displayed the banner in the gym on Sunday morning (two days before the feast of St. Valentine) for all to see.  It was the perfect place and time since the Rosa Mystica Girls Society was holding their annual bake salwe love our priestse.  I only hope that the Little Flowers’ Valentine lasted and was on display for the intended recipients.  (I shall find out on Sat.)

banner

St. Margaret of Scotland ~ ora pro nobis

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Handouts:

Resources:

 

St. Bathildis ~ Patience ~ Lily of the Valley

by Filed Under: 01 January, 01 January Saints, Patience, St. Bathildis, Wreath III 1 Comment

P1140010I met for my fifth Little Flowers meeting for 2011-2012.  We had a wonderful time coming together to celebrate Mass, learn about a new saint and study a virtue.  Eleven of the girls were with Father L for preparation for First Holy Communion.  They joined us for the second half of the meeting.  Thirty-two girls were in attendance.
We did the normal routine; grace, snack, review last month’s saint and virtue, introduce the saint and virtue of the month, listen to a talk from Father L, receive a blessing, work on a related craft,  update LF binders, and close with a prayer.
This month’s saint was St. Bathildis.
saint-bathildes-queen

Feast Day – January 30
Paton: against bodily ills, against illness, against sickness, children, sick people, and widows.
Represented: crowned nun often performing menial tasks of giving alms to the poor, ladder extending into heaven, or standing before an altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The girls were intrigued by the story of St. Bathildis.  She was newLeonhard Beck (German, 1480-1552) . Sancta Bathildis (St. Bathilda). to us all.  I told the girls about how St. Bathildis was kidnapped in her youth.  When asked if they would be scared to be on a pirate ship without family, C replied, “No, I wouldn’t be alone.  I would have my guardian angel with me.”  Her words were such a beautiful testament to child-like faith.  The other girls agreed, God and the Blessed Virgin Mary are always with them.  The girls took turns guessing how St. Bathildis’s story unraveled from being a slave.  They were on the seat of their chairs to hear about the heroic virtue that St. Bathildis displayed.  Most noteable was St. Bathildis’s patience.

Patience – the virtue (Fruit of the Spirit) that prevents us from being disturbed by the evil around us.
We are not obliged to pray for crosses and sufferings, as some of the saints have done; but it is absolutely necessary that we should bear the trials which God sees fit to send us, with patience and loving confidence in Him.  ~ Father Lasance, Catholic Girls Guide

I extended the lesson of patience into the craft.  I chose something that would be new and a bit challenging—something that required a significant amount of patience.  I chose finger knitting.
P1140034
The girls were excited to learn finger knitting.  They caught on faster than I had anticipated.  The diligently worked on their knitting as they exercised the virtue of patience.  They did not complain, say “I can’t,” yell for help, ort all together give up.  It was a bit of a challenge at times but all the girls, including my five year olds, were able to successfully acquire the skill of finger knitting.
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Father L stopped by for a visit after his First Holy Communion lesson.  He reviewed the most recent feast days.  Then he quizzed the girls on St. Bathildis.  He, too, was intrigued by her story.  Father gave the girls their blessing before he departed.  Please keep father L in your prayers.

St. Bathilidis ~ ora pro nobis

Resources:st bathildis statue
Handouts:

Resources:



Finally, look up to heaven. Behold the eternal beauty and blessedness of paradise. If for a brief period you suffer here with courage and patience, you will after death be released from all suffering and enjoy unspeakable bliss for evermore. Such are the blessed fruits of patience.  ~ Father Lasance, Catholic Girls Guide






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