By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL
The LOL Club (Light of Life) began on July 23rd, the Feast of St. Sharbel, with five days of learning about the life and spirituality of St. Sharbel in engaging video, crafts, bible sharing, games, prayer, choir practice, dabke rehearsal, and snacks. Our theme this year was “In the Footsteps of St. Sharbel”, and each day focused on his four great loves: prayer, the Holy Eucharist, our Blessed Mother, and his loving service.
Day one centered on St. Sharbel’s deep devotion to prayer. The children learned all about the importance of prayer in their lives, especially the prayer of the ‘Our Father’. Day two was on St. Sharbel’s great devotion to the Liturgy and especially to the Holy Eucharist, where he spent many hours of the day in adoration. The children learned how to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Day three focused on St. Sharbel’s tender love for our holy Mother, Mary, and how we can show her great love, like Sharbel, by praying the Rosary everyday. Day four focused on St. Sharbel’s loving service toward others, especially the sick and those in need.
LOL Club Maronite summer camp concluded July 27th with Divine Liturgy celebrated at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church by Monsignor James Root, pastor, and attended by LOL members, volunteers, and parents.
After the closing Liturgy, all those in attendance enjoyed a performance by their children in the Church Hall, which included skits, sing-a-longs and the dabke, along with lunch. After lunch, all children, volunteers and parents enjoyed an afternoon of arcade games, bumper cars and boats at Grand Prix in Seekonk. The children enjoyed our time together, and it was great to hear that affirmed by the parents who mentioned to us that their kids were learning, having fun, and making so many new friends.
