Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Industry ~ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini


St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

All together again for our eight meeting of Wreath I.  It makes me so happy that the girls are so excited to be together and share their faith.

We began our meeting with the prayers in the member's guide: Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love (each girl recited a prayer) and the prayer to St. Therese.

A brief review from our lesson on the virtue of Humility.

Together 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 - Humility.  I do believe they will fill the jar!

Virtue ~ Saint ~ Flower of the Month




The memory verse was posted on the marker board, the girls recited first and then sang together using the Memory Verse CD.

That isn't a new 'Little Flower' you see but a brother who very much wants to begin a Blue Knights program here (photo was taken before the meeting).  I was amazed that he also has all the verses memorized... from listening to his little sister sing them all the time!  Such a supportive big brother and he has been a great help with the behind the scenes preparations around the house on meeting days.  Thank you!!!

The daffodil is the chosen flower for the virtue of industry.  (..."Scarcely has the winter's snow disappeared from the sunny fields at the approach of spring when a charming, gold-colored flower makes its appearance - the daffodil.  I have called it industry's flower because it hastens to blossom as soon as possible..." Catholic Girl's Guide). I know that when I see the daffodils blooming in my garden beds, spring is here!  I wish our calendar months for our club meetings coincided a bit better but we began in February.  So, no fresh daffodils here :).

Our lesson this month began with examples in scripture of the importance of industry (work).    In fact, the Holy Bible gives us the greatest examples of work.  The girls were reminded that our ability to work is a gift from God.  We reinforced the examples by going directly to the catechism of the Catholic Church - reiterating the three things that we must do to be happy with God in heaven:  to know God (Piety), to love God (Love of God, Love of Neighbor) and to serve God:  how do we do this - pray well, play well and work well.  I talked about vocations and told the girls that as a wife and a mother I am called to serve God by working hard at both of these things.  Then we discussed their vocations as children of God sharing ideas about what this means...completing homework assignments even if you don't like to, without complaining, saying "God, I am doing this because I love you."  We are all called to please God by performing our work with the best efforts and intentions.  I told a story about St. Faustina:  in her diary she saw her work as little and meaningless.  She wanted to serve God in big ways.  God sent her a sign and told her that small things well is what pleases.  

"We can do no great things; only small things with great love."
St. Teresa of Calcutta  



Notebook pages (using Jessica's template @ Shower of Roses) and coloring pages (obtained from Charlotte @ Waltzing Matilda) were completed while I read a short biography of St. Frances Cabrini and also the story of 'The Knitter's Club - A Story of Industry' from Virtues and Stories.

Craft 

'Fancy' Cleaning Gloves

I was so excited about this craft!  Unfortunately we couldn't complete the craft during our meeting.  Perhaps we can do this craft at our Mother Daughter Tea.  The craft was supposed to coordinate perfectly with a group outing to the church to help the clean.  Unfortunately we were just unable to schedule this...we could always try again another time.


This is the finished product above completed the next day!  So cute and provides quite the motivation to assist with any cleaning jobs around the house!  I found the gloves at the Dollar Store, some discounted fabric (pleated as the glue was applied), ribbon border and a few sparkles on the ring fingers for added effect.

Snack

Mini Daffodil Cupcakes


Closing




Badges earned since our last meeting were presented, congratulating each Little Flower for their dedication and industry.

"(Name) may God bless you and help you to grow in the virtue of Humility."  "Congratulations!"

We completed our meeting by praying together the Hail Mary and thanking God for bringing us together to grow in virtue.  


I love how the girls rushed to have a group picture centered around the Blessed Mother.


Pray for our members, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, as they work towards earning their seventh patch and grow in the Virtue of Humiliy - and through these small acts, showing their love for your Son, Jesus.