On Friday, July 21, the
Maronite Servants of Christ the Light facilitated a morning of prayer,
reflection and catechesis for the children enrolled in the three week “Summer
Fun” program at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Acushnet, MA.
The theme of our morning’s catechesis was Our Lady of
Fatima’s message of prayer and sacrifice for peace in the world.
It was a delight to learn that many of the children already
knew about the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima in 1917. After showing them a
video on the apparitions, the sisters asked the children whether they could
think of some things that they often don’t feel like doing, which they could
offer as a sacrifice to God for those who don’t know or love Him. One child
cleverly said “anything that our parents tell us do”.
The children made a pennant flag to Mary as their craft
activity, which they waved enthusiastically during our procession towards the
outdoor shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, while singing “Ave Maria”. We offered a
decade of