Union with God/Advent

 We had a November Petal meeting on Union with God learning about Saint Leonie de Sales Aviat of France. We prepared and blessed Advent candles to sell and planted Iris seeds we'd cross hybridized in our community garden and in our home gardens.  The girls sold candles at the Advent Bash hosted by the Grandparents Association and after Masses. Be sure to ask for your service beads for working the sales tables. This year we are working toward our end of year St Vincent de Paul Charity badge so we are also raising money for the St Vincent de Paul Society and will be serving with their ministry throughout the year. 

Wreath 5: Lesson 5

Virtue: Union with God Saint: Leonie Aviat

Verse: “For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” -Romans 14:8

St Leonie de Sales Aviat (1844-1914) was born is Sezanne, France. Her parents were shopkeepers and wanted her to be married and continue the trade. She was educated by Visitations sisters and by 16 she felt called to the order herself. She eventually became a sister at age 21. Leonie helped young girls who worked infactories learn their faith morals and eventually helped form a new religious order and made Mother Superior of the Oblate Sisters of St Francis de Sales. She worked hard in her ministry during a time when the Catholic faith was under great persecution in France. Her motto was, “To forget myself entirely,” Her feast day is January 10. 

Everything we do should be done with the intention of becoming closer to God. While we can never be completely joined to God on earth because of sin, we hope to be with him forever in heaven. So our sacrifices, prayers, and efforts on earth are meant to prepare us for an eternity of union with Him. When we do God’s will, by following His commandments, living our vocation, and seeking Him in all things, we are on the path to holiness and are striving for union with God. It is easy to see God in the good things that happen to us, but we must look for Him in the crosses and challenges too. 

Precepts of the Church: 1. Attend Mass on Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation and rest from servile labor 2. Confession once a year. 3. Receive Eucharist at Easter 4. Fast and abstain according to state in life. 5. Help provide for the needs of the Church

Types of Prayer: ACTS Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication or TAPS Thanks, Ask, Praise, Sorry 

Spring Events

 Little Flowers finished up the fish fry season with strong support, bussing tables and selling cheese pizza with a smile. 

Dinner Break

We marked the end of Lent by hosting the annual chalk art event to decorate the church plaza on Holy Saturday.

Four Little Flowers created floriculture entries for a game themed daffodil show and won first and second place ribbons as well as a best in show and creativity award. 

And finally, despite some periods of cold and rain, we had a beautiful weekend camping trip to Meremac State Park. Events included a petal meeting on confidence highlighting the story of Italian Saint, Clelia Barbieri and another on unselfishness and St Teresa of the Andes where we played Hit the Penny and had a selfless Easter egg hunt. We had an adventurous hike along the bluffs of the river and played on the rock beach. Everyone pitched in to help prepare and clean up meals. We also had a great time enjoying the burgeoning spring by relaxing around the campfire praying together and telling stories, swinging in hammocks, and playing games.