St. Jane Frances de Chantal, pray for us!
I truly look forward to our Little Flowers Meetings...probably because these girls seem so thrilled about their club. It's quite infectious!
Determined to stay on schedule we started on time and began our fourth meeting with the prayers in the member's guide: Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love and the prayer to St. Therese.
We spent a bit of time reviewing what we learned last month about Love of God. Discussing again the first three commandments that tell us to love God, love His name and love His day.
We sang the memory verse from last month and glass beads were put into the vase for assignments completed while each girl shared something memorable that they did to grow in the virtue - Love of God.
Next - introducing this month's virtue: Love of Neighbor and one of the girls recalled the the words from St. Mark's Gospel Chapter 12 (that was next on the list!! :) - we are to love God first and our neighbor second, loving them as we love ourselves. I tied in the fourth and fifth commandments that tell us to obey and to be kind. Most importantly, the girls were reminded that love is first from God and it must be returned to God. From our Love of God comes the Love of our Neighbor.
We read the memory verse posted on the marker board and then sang together using the Memory Verse CD.
1 John 4:12
The girls worked on their notebook and coloring pages while I read the story about
St. Jane Frances de Chantal from the Member's Guide.
I also read from the book Chat with God's Little Ones Lesson 27 Love of God/Chapter 10 and then asked the girls what is something we could do for love of our neighbor? They responded with some lovely things like send someone a card. I told the girls that we were going to send spiritual bouquets to parishoners of our church who were in need. I explained that a spiritual bouquet is a collection of prayers and/or good works offered on behalf of another.
I had found a beautiful download here. They filled in the gift offering and on the blank page wrote a short message and signature. A stamped envelope was provided for the girls to address and mail. We talked about how easy it is to be kind to people we know or to our friends and that their spiritual bouquet was an act of love to someone they didn't know. What a beautiful gift to give to someone. Jesus wants us to love everyone.
I had found a beautiful download here. They filled in the gift offering and on the blank page wrote a short message and signature. A stamped envelope was provided for the girls to address and mail. We talked about how easy it is to be kind to people we know or to our friends and that their spiritual bouquet was an act of love to someone they didn't know. What a beautiful gift to give to someone. Jesus wants us to love everyone.
One of the other Mom's graciously provided the craft this month (thank you!). The girls made a 'rose ball bouquet' using a styrofoam ball, silk roses and greens and a pretty satin ribbon. She even brought rose scented oil for fragrance. My home smelled wonderful!
As this month's flower was the rose and the color light red it was, of course, so fun to put together the refreshments. I have been anxiously waiting to make this cake! Pink in color but vanilla in flavor and covered with roses. I had seen this idea here a while ago. We also shared 'rose' punch and smiles.
Having time to sit and share treats is good preparation for our Mother Daughter Tea. We can practiced etiquette and such...my daughter needed a bit of help from a friend for her 'pinky up'!
In closing we had our badge ceremony and recited the Hail Holy Queen in honor of our Blessed Mother and this the month we dedicate to her. I realize after seeing these images that I have forgotten something - I'll get to work on this and find some lovely fresh flowers for Our Lady's crown.
Pray for our members, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, as they work towards earning their fourth patch and grow in the virtue of Love of Our Neighbor - and through these small acts, showing their love for your Son, Jesus.
