Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ The Gift of Counsel

Last Friday we had our 4th Little Flowers Girls' Club meeting for Wreath IV.   Even though I had to reschedule our meeting from the week before, due to our colds, everyone was able to make it and I didn't go into labor prior to the meeting!  Yay!!

I wasn't nearly as organized for this meeting as I would have liked, and actually didn't start even printing the coloring pages until the night before, and then created the sample craft, notebook page the morning of our meeting, and I was actually trying to finish up the cupcakes as the meeting began... Thankfully my husband had the day off and was able to help, in addition to picking up pizza for the meeting, before taking off with all the boys to a Hockey game, and Amy's daughter "Rose" agreed to read the story of St. Catherine of Siena (from Around the Year with the Saints) to all the girls during the meeting.

This meeting focused on the gift of Counsel and St. Catherine of Siena.  We will now be taking a couple month break, as both Amy and I prepare to welcome our new little ones!  Our next meeting will take place in March.

~ Coloring Pages ~

St. Catherine of Siena from Waltzing Matilda

St. Catherine of Siena from Catholic Artworks Faith Keepers CD

Here are some of the completed coloring pages: 

~ Wreath IV Lap Book ~

We had a short lesson on the gift of Counsel and St. Catherine of Siena, and then continued our lesson by reviewing our Lap Book mini-books from last month, and then working on the new additions for the gift of Counsel.

Here is an overview of what was completed (*some are taken home to complete):

• Continue working on the cover, if necessary
• Review last month's gift and add Mini Books that were completed at home
• Add Definition and Motto for the Gift of Counsel
• Add the correct Jewel to the Treasure Box
• Complete the Saint Profile*
• Complete the Convert Profile*
• Choose and write down your favorite "Words of Counsel from a Doctor of the Church" to share at the next meeting*

Additional Resources:

Saint Catherine of Siena: The Story of the Girl Who Saw Saints in the Sky

Saint Catherine of Siena, The Story of the Girl Who Saw Saints in the Sky Study Guide

Around the Year: Once Upon a Time Saints

In God's Garden

Movie Suggestion from Member's Guide:
A Man for All Seasons
(Additional Option for younger girls is My Catholic Family DVD: St. Catherine of Siena)

~ Notebook Pages ~

For the notebook pages, I used the motto for counsel, a couple quotes (or "words of counsel") from St. Catherine of Siena, an image of St. Catherine of Siena, a definition on the gift of Counsel from My Catholic Faith, along with a short invocation to St. Catherine.  You can download my document here.

Here is a picture of the sample page I created:

Here are a the girls' completed notebook pages:

~ Craft ~

We adapted this recipe from over at Catholic Cuisine for our "craft" for the gift of "Counsel" (following recipes). I purchased a light blue cloud fabric for the jars, tying in the color/jewel of "aquamarine" and the symbol of "clouds."

Directions can be found here: Starlight Cookies for Christmas Eve

~ Snack Time ~

Saintly Symbols Cupcakes :: St. Catherine of Siena's Crown of Thorns

Our Lord offered St. Catherine of Siena two crowns in a vision, a golden one or the crown of thorns.   St. Catherine choose a crown of thorns and is is often seen on the head of Saint Catherine of Siena, and is also occasionally represented with other saints, signifying suffering for Christ's sake. 

White Cupcakes (baked in Aquamarine Cupcake Liners), topped with some homemade Whip Cream, chocolate jimmies (for the crown of thorns), and a gold crown on the side (made with the Crown Candy Mold). 

We served the Cupcakes along with the pizza, Hot Apple Cider, and a Starlight Cookie for the girls to sample. We also had a sweet girl who would be celebrating her birthday the following day, so we lit a candle and sang Happy Birthday to her too! 

~ Group Photo ~ 

Be sure to check the Shower of Roses Little Flowers Girls' Club link-up, as all of the girls that are "joining" our group online/at home share pictures from their meetings for this year!

Grant me the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven.

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us! 

Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ The Gift of Knowledge

This past Thursday we had our 3rd Little Flowers Girls' Club meeting for Wreath IV.   I was very happy that all eight of the girls were able to make it this month, even though I wasn't able to put too much effort into preparing...  Thankfully I did most of that a couple months ago, so there wasn't much that needed to be done prior to the meeting.

Amy also came a little early, bringing along Lily to help!

This meeting focused on the gift of Knowledge and St. Gertrude the Great, whose feast day is celebrated on November 16th!  Here are some pictures and highlights from this month's meeting:

~ Coloring Pages ~

St. Gertrude the Great from Catholic Artworks Faith Keepers CD

Other Coloring Page Options:
Sister from St. Anne's Helper

IHS Coloring Page Option 1 and IHS Coloring Page Option 2
Most Holy Name of Jesus (IHS) from Waltzing Matilda

Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Pages from That Resource Site

~ Wreath IV Lap Book ~

We had a short lesson on the gift of Knowledge and St. Gertrude, and then continued our lesson by reviewing our Lap Book mini-books from last month, and then working on the new additions for the gift of Knowledge.

Here is an overview of what was completed (*some are taken home to complete):

• Continue working on the cover, if necessary
• Review last month's gift and add Mini Books that were completed at home
• Add Definition and Motto for the Gift of Knowledge
• Add the correct Jewel to the Treasure Box
• Complete the Saint Profile*
• Complete the Convert Profile*
• Choose and write down your favorite "Quote from the Psalm 139 on Knowledge" to share at the next meeting*

Additional Resources:

The Promises of the Sacred Heart

Movie Suggestion from Member's Guide: 

The Story of Alexander Graham Bell

~ Notebook Pages ~

For the notebook pages, I used the motto for knowledge, a prayer which Our Lord told St.  Gertrude would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory every time it is said, an image of St. Gertrude, a definition on the gift of Knowledge from My Catholic Faith, and acrylic gemstones in topaz.  You can download my document here.

Here is a picture of the sample page I created:

Here are a the girls' completed notebook pages:

~ Craft ~

Incorporating the IHS symbol, which is part of the symbol for St. Gertrude, we will be decorating candles for our 3rd Meeting for Wreath IV of our Little Flowers Girls' Club.   This meeting focuses on the Gift of Knowledge, St. Gertrude, the gemstone Topaz, as well as the symbol of "Fire" making this a perfect craft for this meeting!

Directions can be found here: IHS Candle Craft

~ Snack Time ~

Saintly Symbols Cupcakes :: St. Gertrude

Chocolate Cupcakes (baked in Heart Shaped Silicone Cups), topped with White Frosting, yellow sprinkles, yellow gel rays, and a red Candy Heart (made with the Wilton Hearts Candy Mold). 

Since our meetings are now held in the late afternoon/evening, one of the moms volunteered to bring pizza, and we will rotate turns for the remaining 4 meetings.  

~ Group Photo ~ 

A few of the girls had to leave early for a Veteran's Day Presentation at their school, but for those that were able to stay, Lily had prepared a fun little lesson on St. Gertrude, Knowledge, and ended with a fun game of Trivia!  I was very grateful for all of her help! 

Be sure to check the Shower of Roses Little Flowers Girls' Club link-up during the next few weeks, as all of the girls that are "joining" our group online/at home share pictures from their meetings for this year!

*Please Note:  Rather than posting separate link-ups each month, to simplify things for myself and all those participating, I have combined them all into one post!   You can find the Little Flower Link-ups here and the Blue Knight Link-ups here, or just click on either of the Buttons in the right sidebar.  

Grant me the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow in the science of the Saints.

St. Gertrude, pray for us! 

Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ The Gift of Understanding

This past Thursday we had our 2nd Little Flowers Girls' Club meeting for Wreath IV.   We ended up having a small group of girls, due to a bit of miscommunication on the meeting date (I had rescheduled to this coming Thursday, and then needed to move it back, scheduling it around an upcoming trip), but even though it was small and we missed the other girls, we still had a wonderful meeting. 

In addition to baking cupcakes, and all the other last minute preparations for the meeting, I somehow managed to find the time to iron on all of the girls' patches that they have earned over the few years,  in addition to the crown patch that their gemstones will be attached to this year, to their new (slightly larger) sashes!  They were outgrowing the small sashes that I originally purchased for them, and so I purchased these lovely deluxe sashes for this year.

As I was working on this "little" project, it made me realize just how much we have accomplished in the past few years of Little Flowers!  I still need to go back and secure/sew them to the sash, since the iron-on fabric that I used doesn't seem to be holding too well, but at least it is a start and the girls were so excited!

Bonus picture of my latest favorite Little Flowers Apron, though I do have the beautiful new "Living the Little Way" design on my ever growing "wish list!"  Aren't the Catholic Aprons great?! 

Here are some more pictures and highlights from this month's meeting:

~ Coloring Pages ~

St. Catherine of Alexandria from Catholic Artworks Faith Keepers CD

(If any one knows of any other sources for St. Catherine of Alexandria Coloring Pages, please let me know!) 

by Twinkle Toes and Chiquita

Father Damien of Molokai from Waltzing Matilda

 (Sent home to be used as an alternative for one of the member's guide assignment for the younger girls, instead of watching the movie Damien)

by Twinkle Toes and Chiquita

~ Wreath IV Lap Book ~

We had a short lesson on the gift of Understanding and St. Catherine of Alexandria, and then continued our lesson by reviewing our Lap Book mini-books from last month, and adding some for the gift of Understanding.

The girls had all completed the mini-books for their "Favorite Quote from the Book of Wisdom"  (I posted the ones my girls choose here), St. Teresa of Avila, and Malcolm Muggeridge.   They all enjoyed sharing what they wrote in the mini-books with each other, and then adding them to their lap books.

We then continued with the mini-books for this meeting. Here is an overview of what was completed (*some are taken home to complete):

• Continue working on the cover, if necessary
• Review last month's gift and add Mini Books that were completed at home
• Add Definition and Motto for the Gift of Understanding
• Add the correct Jewel to the Treasure Box
• Complete the Saint Profile*
• Complete the Convert Profile*
• Choose and write down your favorite "Quote from the Book of Proverbs on Understanding" to memorize and share at the next meeting*

So far I have been very happy with this new addition this year, and the girls seem to like it as well!

Additional Resources:

A Story of St. Catherine of Alexandria

~ Notebook Pages ~

For the notebook pages, I used the motto for understanding,  various quotes on understanding, an image of St. Catherine, a definition on the gift of Understanding from My Catholic Faith, a prayer to St. Catherine, and acrylic gemstones and sequins in emerald green. You can download my document here.

Here is a picture of the sample page I created:

Here are a few of the girls completed notebook pages:

~ Craft ~

Since the Member's Guide lists the symbol for this meeting as being "Water," I decided to have the girls make Holy Water Fonts.

We also made them "Heart" shape, recalling an old custom that originated in France, that on St. Catherine's Day, heart-shaped cakes are given to young women who have reached the age of twenty-five and are still single.  Not that any of the girls need to worry about that! ;)

Directions can be found here:  St. Catherine of Alexandria Holy Water Fonts

~ Snack Time ~

Saintly Symbols Cupcakes :: St. Catherine of Alexandria

Pumpkin Cupcakes baked in Heart Shaped Silicone Cups, topped with Cream Cheese Frosting, sprinkles, and a Candy Crown - a symbol of St. Catherine of Alexandria. 

Last month, when I was making a trial cupcake for each month, I used pink/red sprinkles and a brown chocolate crown.   For our actual meeting I used gold sprinkles and a yellow/gold candy crown.  I'm not sure which one I like better. . . 

~ Group Photo ~ 

Be sure to check the Shower of Roses Little Flowers Girls' Club link-up during the next few weeks, as all of the girls that are "joining" our group online/at home share pictures from their second meetings for this year!  

Grant me the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth.

St. Catherine of Alexandria, 
pray for us!