Docility Petal Meeting/Overnight

Lesson 5 of wreath 4 was on Docility and Pro-life patron, St Gianna Molla of Italy. 

The virtue of docility is our willingness to be taught about our faith. Sometimes we can struggle to understand a teaching of our Church. We are encouraged to be docile as we learn more, asking Jesus to help us understand and be obedient to what He asks of us. We grow in docility from being humble, pure of heart, willing to spend time in prayer, and willing to listen to both God and those God sends our way. It is good to question things that don't seem right to us, and to be open to understanding the why behind the what of our Church. The girls shared people that were good examples of this virtue. We also talked about what to do if someone in charge of us tells us to do something that doesn't seem right. 

Verse: Show me your ways, Lord. Teach me your paths. -Psalm 25:4

A Saint that is a great example of docility is Gianna Molla (1922-1962). Her doctors told her to terminate her pregnancy because she had cancer and may not survive if she kept her baby. Gianna listened to God's command and did not obey the doctors. She died shortly after giving birth to Gianna Emmanuela, her fourth child. She lived a beautiful life of sacrificial love. Her feast day is April 28. She is the patron of mothers and the unborn. 

After Mass, we did more work to earn our year long pro-life badge by learning about St Gianna Molla. We also made stamped valentines which will be given to the residents of Birthstone, a non profit that supports single mothers who have chosen life for their babies. We prayed our decade of the rosary in the adoration chapel before bedtime. We also watched Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who," which has a great message about standing up for the vulnerable. 

We had a lot of fun learning some Italian and a little about the country so many of our Saints and popes come from. We had a pizza dinner and ordered gelato in Italian. We sang Buon Compleanno to a Little Flower sharing her birthday with us. 

Taco-Gatto-Pizza

Scusa!

The next morning, we had a passegiatta (walk) to collazione (breakfast). Thank you for all who helped lead our Little Flowers through a fun and fruitful weekend!

St Gianna Molla, Prega per noi!

January Petal Meeting and Camp In

The troop kicked off the camp-in with evening Mass. They had many opportunities to develop the virtue of initiative throughout the night. Initiative is about deciding to take some action when it is necessary and following through. Listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit can help us grow in the virtue of initiative. When we see a need or problem, we should try to discern what God wants from us and be helpful. We can be like Queen Esther or the good Samaritan in the Bible. 

A new Little Flower joined our troop and will be a youth leader as well. Everyone helped out from preparing the stations, assisting with dining, sharing their ideas, and cleaning up. The girls had a great time cycling through activity stations. They created greeting cards under expert tutelage from Mrs B. and her stamping friends. They made amazing works of art to give away such as mermaid birthday cards, Black-Eyed Susan general cards, and lady bug Valentines. 

Next, was pizza dinner and cupcakes to celebrate a Little Flower's birthday. 

Mr and Mrs S. returned to lead the girls in an astronomy presentation. Nasa's space program and the recently discovered Green Comet or C/2022 E3 (ZTF) were highlighted. The weather didn't cooperate for telescope viewing, however. Everyone asked great questions and learned more about God's amazing seen and unseen creation.

Our youth leaders conducted the petal meeting where they covered Initiative, St Margaret of Scotland, and Black Eyed Susans. 

Verse: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. -Matthew 7:7-8

St Margaret (1045-1093) was an English princess born in Hungary while her parents were in exile but later restored to English royalty. They had to flee again and were shipwrecked in Scotland. The king rescued them and married Margaret. They had eight children and Margaret was known for her holiness and charity. She initiated many reforms in the community and the church. Her husband and son were killed in a battle and she died a few days later, perhaps of grief. Her feast day is November 16. She is the patron of large families and Scotland.

The Black Eyed Susan also known as, “Sweet William” is a hearty wildflower once known for medicinal properties. It has a dark brown center encircled with golden yellow petals.  They represent initiative because they are self seeding and pop up quickly without warning, thus the phrase,”Turning up like a black-eyed Susan.” 

The girls worked toward their end of the year adoration badge in the chapel and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet following quiet prayer. Sleeping spots were organized to settle in for a bedtime movie, The Lorax. 

The event concluded after a hike to the local biscuit shop for breakfast. 

St Margaret of Scotland, Pray for us and help us to grow in the virtue of Initiative.

Courage Petal Meeting & Movie Night

February's petal meeting was all about the virtue of courage, Blessed Margaret Pole and the Yucca. Blessed Margaret Pole (1473-1541) was a member of the British royal family, a widow with five children. She became a lady in waiting in the court of Henry VIII and a governess to one of his children, Mary Tudor. Henry VIII had Margaret and her family put in prison and eventually at the age of 70, executed for being Catholic and opposing his sins. Even though she had done nothing wrong, she courageously endured her suffering. Her feast day is May 28.

The virtue of courage is about bravely doing the right thing even when it is hard or when we are opposed. Being courageous isn’t the same as not being scared. It’s about doing scary things that God calls us to do. The root of courage, “cor,” means heart. Courage requires love in action to be a virtue. We played a new game with paper plates and a ping pong ball to get to know each other better and practice being courageous. 

First called, Lamps of God, by early courageous settlers, because the white flowers helped light their way, the Yucca is a succulent native to Mexico and South America. It symbolizes purity and protection. Each of the 50 plus types of yucca depend upon a unique genus of moth to pollinate and reproduce. The moth in turn depends upon its yucca for nourishment and shelter. The yucca is edible, medicinal, and were used to make soaps, belts, sandals, and baskets. They are also great for purifying the air. 

We began preparing ourselves for Lent, thinking about what sacrifices we can make to deepen our relationship with Jesus. The girls were given Lenten Calendars to keep track of the 40 days (Sundays excluded). They can earn the Holy Lent patch this year if they haven't already. Also, be sure to sign up to serve at the Fish Fry.

Unfortunately, it was too cloudy for our planned astronomy experience. 

Then we enjoyed snacks while watching Encanto on the big screen in the gym. We discussed many ways the virtue of courage was showcased in the film. So, of course we had to talk about Bruno. 

I command you:  be firm and steadfast!  Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1: 9

May God grace us with the virtue of Courage. Blessed Margaret Pole, Pray for us!