May 9th- 11th, the “Little Sparks Great Saints” Flame of Love Children’s Education Program was launched by a team of educators led by Patti Schwartz, US National Hispanic Director and Florida Regional Leader, in St. Mary Magdalen School in Media, Pennsylvania in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
In December, Patti felt a strong call in her heart from Our Lady to protect Her children, This was confirmed during an interview for Radio Maria with Fr. Hector Ramirez of “Mater Fatima”. With the images of the children of Fatima in the background Father said, “Our Lady is very concerned about the purity of the children today.”
Patti shared this urgent call with her Cenacle. In response, Ann Moyer, a veteran middle school catechist for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Pennsylvania for the last 26 years, and Jim Gavigan, Northeast Regional Leader and English as a New Language teacher for 31 years in the Syracuse public schools joined Patti to create the Flame of Love Team of Educators. The lessons they created and shared with the students were the fruit of five months of intensive collaboration built upon a solid foundation of prayer answering the question “What does Our Lady want Her children to learn now in Her School of Love?”
On Monday, May 8th, National Spiritual Advisor Monsignor Ralph Chieffo and National Director Eileen Piergiovanni hosted a reception to inaugurate the “Little Sparks Great Saints” Education Program. After Patti Schwartz presented an overview of the project, goals, lessons, and materials that would be used in the classrooms—Monsignor Chieffo and Father Stephen DeLacy, Vicar for Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia blessed the “Little Sparks Great Saints” binder and prayed for its success.
On Tuesday, May 9th through Thursday May 11th, the Flame of Love Team of Educators, assisted by Eileen Piergiovanni, Deacon Joe Boyle, and Suzanne Watson, visited grades one through six. During 45 minute lessons, students and their teachers eagerly learned about Our Lady’s Flame of Love and, through the spirituality of the children of Fatima, the beauty of living a life centered on the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the safe refuge of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Students were asked to write at the end of the lesson what they had learned. Their feedback filled us with joy. One fifth grader wrote, “You showed me the prayer of unity and inspired me even more to be a priest.”
The FOL Educator Team would like to thank everyone involved for their loving support which made this incredible week possible.
If you would like more information about “Little Sparks Great Saints” in your schools, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.org or (518) 796-3111