St. Francisof Assisi

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program

by Tammy Gabrelcik

A Catholic Vacation Bible School ProgramBy Tammy Gabrelcik

St. Francisof Assisi

Table of Contents

Heroes in Heaven is written by Tammy Gabrelcik. Produced by HNH Productions © 2009. Illustration by Natalie Butler. Cover design and page layout by Doxology Design, LLC.

For more information visit our web site at www.heroesinheaven.com or call 419-768-2677.

Saint LessonNews Flash 3

CraftsSt Francis & the Birds Necklace (Preschool, Grade K) 8Concentration Game (1st & 2nd Grade) 11Decoupage St Francis Prayer (3rd & 4th Grade) 15St Francis Grotto (5th & 6th Grade) 18

MusicFrancis, Help My Love to Grow 19

SnacksBird Food Snack 20

GamesCarry the Stones Relay 21

ExtrasSt Francis Memory Verse 22St Francis Coloring Sheet last page

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 3

St. Francis of Assisi

Saint LessonNews Flash

• MapofAssisi,Italy

• PhotoofhomeofSt.Francis

• Picturesoffamily:Brother;Angelo,Mother;LadyPica,andFather;PietroBernardone

• PhotoofthePortiunculascenewheretheChristontheCrucifixspoketoyoungFrancisaboutrebuildingtheChurch

• TwochairsfortheinterviewerandSt.Francis

• Newsstagedecorations,artificialplantsorflowers,coffeetablewithcoffeecups,etc…

Pat Bower: WearesorryforinterruptingtheregularlyscheduledprogramtobringyouthislivecoveragefromHeroesinHeavenActionNews.Ithasbeenrecentlyreportedthatatapproximately3:00p.m.thisFridayafternoon,St.FrancisofAssisiwasallegedlyspotteddescendingfromHeaveninfrontoftheVatican.HehasagreedtogiveHeroesinHeavenActionNewsanexclusiveinterview.WearehereatVaticanCity,RomepatientlywaitingforSt.FrancisofAssisitomakehiswaythroughthemassivecrowdsliningthestreetstogreetthisHeavenlyHerothatwasborntothewealthymerchantPeterBernardoneatAssisi,Italyin1181.SeveraleyewitnesseshaveverifiedthestoryofSt.FrancisfloatingdownfromHeavenonacloudandwalkingintotheApostolicPalacetomeetwiththeHolyFather.Therearenofurtherdetailsofthemeetingatthispoint.WhilewearewaitingforSt.FrancistoemergefromthePalace,let’sgotoSaidyMuricliveoutsideatSt.Peter’sSquarewhereseveralwitnesseshavebeengatheringaroundthesitewheretheholyFrancistoucheddownfromhisHeavenlycloud.Saidygoahead.

Saidy Muric:ThanksPat.WearehereatSt.Peter’sSquare,whereSt.FrancisofAssisidescendedfromHeavenwithoneeyewitness,SnitzleMordergofthelocaltelephonerepairmanfortheVatican.Mr.Mordergofcouldyoupleasedescribewhatyousawthisafternoonat3:00.

Set the Stage

Script

St. Francis Descends from HeavenExclusive Live Interview on Heroes in Heaven Action News

Saint Lesson

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 4

Mr. Mordergof: Well,IsawatwinklinglightcomingdownfromtheskyandIthoughtIgotelectrocuted.AndthenIsawwhatlookedlikeaperson.Istilldidn’tknowwhatwasgoingon.IwasfiguringthattherewasaUFOinRome!Thentherehewas!ThatFranciscanFriarfromAssisi.St.FranciswasfloatingdownonacloudandhecamestraightdownheretoSt.Peter’sSquareandwalkedrightintotheApostolicPalacejustlikehehadscheduledanappointment.Everyonejuststoodtherewiththeirmouthsdroppedwideopen.Ihaveneverseenanythinglikeitinmyentirelife!

Saidy Muric: ThankyouMr.Mordergof.AndthereyouhaveitPat.St.FrancishascomedownfromHeavenandistrulyintheApostolicPalacerightnow.WehopetogetaglimpseofthisfamoussaintsoonwhenhebeginstoleavethebuildingandheadtowardyouPatforthisexclusiveinterview.ItissaidthatSaintFranciswasquitethewildchildasayoungsterandveryspoiledbybothofhisparents.Hehadthebestclothesmoneycouldbuy,apurebredArabianhorseatagefifteenandmanymoreluxuriousthingsoftheworld.It’sawonderthismancouldbecalledasaintnowforover780someyears.Iwonderwhathewillhavetosayabouthisunholychildhood?ThisisSaidyMuricreportinglivefromRome.

Pat Bower:ThanksSaidy.WearestillwaitingforSt.FrancistoleavehismeetingwiththeHolyFather.TherearemorerumorsaboutwhySt.FranciswouldleavehisHeavenlyHometocomebacktoearthtospeakwiththeVicarofChrist.SomearespeculatingthatGodhasanimportantmessagefortheChurchthatneededimmediateattention,whileothersaresayingthatSt.FrancishasbroughtGoodNewstotheChurchforalltheChristianstotakeheedandcontinuetoprayalwaysandtoknow,loveandservetheLordwithalloftheirhearts.It’stoughtoknowwhatisreallytakingplacehererightnowinthishistoricalmomentwiththeHolyFatherandSaintFrancisofAssisifromHeaven.

What’sthat…Ohok.Justin,wehaveadistantrelativeofSt.FrancisfromtheBernadonefamilyinAssisi.WithArchebaldDinkerholf,goaheadArchebald.

Archebald Dinkerholf: ThanksPat.I’mherewithPeitroBernardonethe16th.Heisthegreat,great,greatsecondcousinremoved,ofSt.Francis’brotherAngelo’swife.ThankyoufortakingthetimetotalkwithusPeitro.WhatdoyoumakeofthisamazingeventofSt.FrancisafterbeinginHeavenwithalltheangelsandsaintsandtheBlessedMother,totravelallthewaybacktoearthjusttospeaktotheHolyFather?

News Flash (Continued)

Saint Lesson

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 5

Pietro: Archebaldthat’sagoodquestion.IknowthatSt.Francishassuchaloveforhisneighbor,thepoorandeverycreaturethatGodcreated,thatthismustbeveryimportantbusinessthatChristhassentSt.Francistodo.St.Franciscouldnotrefusetohelpanyone.Heevenhelpedthepoorlepersthathadsuchsoresallovertheirbodies,thatnoonewouldgonearthemforfeartheymightcatchthehorribledisease.Why,therewasevenastorytoldthatatownnearbyhadahuge,andterriblewildwolfdevouringthechildren.Thetown’speoplesentforSt.Francistohelp.Itwasknownthathehadawaywithanimalsthatnootherhumanhad.St.Francissetouttomeetthewolfandjustasthebeaststartedtolungeforthesaint,Francismadethesignofthecrossandtheanimalbecameastameasapuppy.Thereandthenthewolfwasapetforthetowntotakecareofwithnoharmdonetoanotherperson.Thewolfdiedapeacefulandnaturaldeath,thankstoSt.Francis.

Archebald Dinkerholf: AndthereyouhaveitPat.StraightfromadistantrelativehereinAssisi.St.Francisseemstohavebeenawelllovedsaintinthisareaandhedidsomanyawesomethingsoutoflove.ItissaidthatneartheendofhislifehewasevenmorelikeChristbyhavingbeengiventhestigmata.ThewoundsofChristcouldbeseenonFrancis’handsandfeet.WhatanamazinglifethismanledfortheChurchanditsfollowers.ArchebaldDinkerholfreportinglivefromAssisi.BacktoyouPat.

Pat Bower: (Veryexcited)ThankyouArchebaldtherewiththedistantrelativeofSt.Francisinhishometown.Oh,wait,IthinkSt.FrancisiscomingoutoftheApostolicPalacerightnow.(Holdshisearpiecetoseewhatisbeingreported)Yesithasbeenconfirmed,thedoortothePalacehasbeenopenedandSt.Francisiscomingoutwithagroupofsecurityguardshe’sheadedourway.Thecrowdisgoingwild.St.Francisiswavingandgivinghisblessingtothecrowd.Saidyhowisthecrowdrespondingwhereyouare?

Saidy Muric: Pat,Icanhardlyhearyou.ButthecrowdissoexcitedtoseeSt.Francis.TheyareholdingupRosariestobeblessedalongwithSt.Francismedals.MothersareholdingtheirbabiesoutforSt.Francistobless.ItisasightlikeIhaveneverseenbeforeinmylife.Thereissomuchloveandenthusiasmforthissaint.IspokewithawomanjustearlierandshesaidthatSt.Francishadbeenalongtimefavoriteofherssinceshewasachild.ImetanothermanthatsaidSt.Francisishispatronsaintanditwasanawesomehonortobeabletoseehiminperson.ThisisSaidyMuricatSt.Peter’sSquareinVaticanCity,Rome.

Pat Bower: ThanksSaidy.AndherewearewiththeholySt.FrancisofAssisiasachildknownasthesonofthemerchantPietro.Welcome,St.FrancisandImustsayitisashockandanhonortobeherewithyoutodayinRome.First,St.Francis,Iwouldliketoaskyoualittlebitaboutyourbackground.Weknowthatyouwerequitetherambunctiouschild.Andthatyourmotherandyourfatherdidshoweryouwithwhateveryouwanted.Whatdoyouhavetosayaboutthat?

News Flash (Continued)

Saint Lesson

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 6

St. Francis: Thankyouforawarmwelcome,BrotherBower.AndIcansenseallthelovefromthepeoplehereinRome.ItisapleasuretobehereagainservingtheLord.Butbacktomychildhood,Pat,I’llhavetoadmit,thatyesIwasveryspoiledandIthoughtlittleofmyneighbororGod.ButasImatured,thegoodLordgavemethegracetocomeclosetoHimandtomeetLadyPoverty.ItwasactuallyshethatcalledmetotheLord.IhaddevelopedagreatillnessafterIhadfoughtinthebattletosaveAssisifromPerugia.IwasaprisonerofwarforseveralmonthsandoncereleasedandbackhomeIfellseriouslyill.ItwasthenthatasadnesscameovermeandIcouldnotshakeit.Oneevening,whenIwasoutwithmyfriends,Isawthemostbeautifulwoman’sface.Ididnotrecognizeheranddidnotknowhowtofindher.Ihadthisgreatdesiretofindherandtomakehermybride.

Pat Bower: FrancisIknowthatyounevermarriedandyetstillneverfeltworthytobecomeapriest.Whathappenedtothisbeautifulwomanandwhydidyounotmarryher?

St. Francis: IcouldnotfindheranditseemedthatIcouldnothavehappinessuntilIdid.IbegantoseeallthemoneythatIhadwasted.Moneythatwasmymother’sandfather’s.Ibegantofeelashamedofmyself.Iwouldn’thelpthesickorthepoorandIhadguiltaboutthat.Iwentonatriptobuywoolformyfather’sshopandpassedbyanoldbrokendownchurch.ThereIdecidedtogoinandprayforawhileinhopesthatthishorriblesadnesswouldleaveme.

Pat Bower: IsthisthenowfamouschurchthePortiuncula?

St. Francis: No,thatchurchcametobemydestinationlater.ItwashereinthislittlerundownandpoorchurchthatIstoppedtoprayanditwasherethatmylifewasforeverchanged.

Pat Bower: Whatcouldhavepossiblyhappenedinanoldchurchtochangeoneoftherichestyoungmenintown?

St. Francis: AsIkneltbythealtertoprayneartheCrucifix,ourLordonthecrossturnedHisheadtowardmeandbegantospeak.HetoldmetorebuildHischurch.ThenandtherethesadnessleftmeandIwasfilledwithhappinessbecauseIknewnowwhatIhadtodo.

Pat Bower: Butwhataboutthebeautifulwoman?

News Flash (Continued)

Saint Lesson

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 7

St. Francis: Isawhertimeandtimeagain.Finally,Ibeggedhertoletmeknowwhoshewas.ShetoldmethatshewasLadyPovertyandthatshewashardtoobtain.ThatiswhenIgaveawayallofmyfancyclothesandtoldmyfatherthathewasnotmyfatheranymore,butthatOurFatherWhoArtinHeavenwasnowmyonlyFather.Ilivedasapoorbeggar.Inowbeggedforfoodandmoneytofeedthesickandthepoor.SoontheLordgavemethegiftofpreaching.EventhebirdsseemtoliketolistentotheGoodNews.Ofcoursemanyothersweredrawntothisholyandsimplelife.AndbeforeIknewittheHolyFathergavehispermissionforourgrouptobeanorderoftheFranciscans.

Pat Bower: St.Francis,everyoneiswaitingtohearwhyyouhavetraveledallthewayfromyourHeavenlyhometocomebacktoearth.DoyouhaveamessageforusfromGod?Andhowlongwillyoubewithus?

St. Francis: Yes,IhaveaveryimportantmessagefromGodthatHewantedmetodelivertotheVicarofChristandtoallpeopleoftheworld.IamheretoremindallpeopleandespeciallychildrenthatGodlovesthemverymuch.Allcanbecomesaintsandholy.Evenchildrencanbecomeholyinthelittlethingsthattheydo.Loving,serving,andknowingGodisthewaytohappinessandtosainthood.Manypeopleknowmeandmanyofthestoriesofmylife.Istartedoutasachildwithrulesandparentsanddisciplinejustlikeeveryonedoes.IchosetoserveGodandHispeopleeverydayofmylife.ThelittlepeopleandtheyoungpeoplecanchoosetoserveGodeverydayoftheirlives.Thatisthewaytoholiness,lovingandservingonedayatatime.Andwiththismessagedelivered,ImustnowreturntomyplaceinHeaven.Iwillcontinuetoprayforeachandeveryoneofyou.AndyoumayaskmetodeliveryourprayerspersonallytoJesusandIwilltakeeachandeveryoneofthemtoHimmyself.

Good-byeandGodBless.

St.Francisgetsupandwalksawayandvanishesintothinair.

TheEnd

News Flash (Continued)

Scene

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 8

St. Francis of Assisi

Supplies

CraftsAppropriate for:

Preschool, Grade K

St. Francis & the Birds Necklace• Variousmediumsizeplasticlidsfrompeanutcans,Pringlescans…

• Glue

• Paintbrushes

• Smallcupsormilkjuglids

• Paperbirds(page9)

• PictureofSt.Francis(page10)

• Yarn

• Permanentmarkerfornames

• Holepunch

• Scrapribbon

• Optional:sequins,stickers,buttons,otherdecorativeitems

1.Preparecupswithglueandpaintbrushperchild.

2.Punchaholeatthetopofthelidandlaceyarnthroughthehole.Tieaknottomakethenecklace.

3.Placeonelid,onepictureofSt.Francisandfourcut-outbirdsateachchild’sworkarea.

1.Haveeachchildwritenameonbackoftheplasticlid.

2.ChildrenshouldglueSt.Francispictureonthecenteroftheplasticlidusingglueandpaintbrush.

3.NextleteachchildgluethefourbirdsaroundtheSt.Francispicture.Birdsshouldbefacingthecenterofthelid.

4.Alloweachchildtoembellishlidwithribbonaroundtheoutsideedgeoftheplasticlid.

5.Allowgluetodrybeforewearing.

Optional:addsequins,stickers,buttonsorotherdecorativeitems.

Directions

Set Up

Crafts

9

Crafts

10

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 11

St. Francis of Assisi

Supplies

CraftsAppropriate for:

1st Grade & 2nd Grade

Concentration Game• OnesetofSt.Francismemorycards(pages12-13)printedoncardstock

• Crayons

• PrecutSt.Francispicture(page14)

• 1plasticboxfromCottonSwabs50countsize

• Paintbrush

• Smallcupsormilkjuglidsforglue

• Scissorsforchildrentoshare

• Smallbottlesofwhiteglue

• Markers

• Sandpaper,finegrit

1.CopyonesheetofSt.Francismemorycardsprintedoncardstockperchild.

2.Putsmallamountofglueinmilkjuglidorpapercupsfor2childrentosharewith2paintbrushesforapplyingglue.

3.Printandpre-cutSt.Francisimages,oneperchild.

4.Havesmallgluebottlesreadyforchildrentoshare.

1.Havechildrenwritenamesonthebottomofthecottonswabbox.

2.Havechildrenlightlysandtheplasticboxwherethelabelusedtobe.

Directions

Set Up

Crafts

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 12

3.ChildrenshouldapplytheimageofSt.Francisonthecottonswabboxonthefrontwheretheoldlabelwouldhavebeenusingthepaintbrushandglue.

4.Passoutsmallbottlesofgluetochildrenthathavetheirpictureinplace.

5.HavechildrencarefullytakegluebottlesandmakelinesordotswiththegluearoundtheSt.Francisimage.Carefulnottosmeartheglue.

6.Placetheboxinthesuntodry. 7.GiveeachchildthesheetofSt.Francismemorycards.Whiletheboxis

dryingallowchildrentocolorthepictureswithcrayonsandcutthecardsonthedottedlines.

8.Whenthegluedotsandlinesaredryontheboxallowthechildrentofinishthembycoloringonthegluedotswithmarkers.Chooseonecolorormakeamulticoloreddesign.

9.Placememorycardsinsidethebox.

10.EnjoyplayingtheSt.Francismemorygame.

Crafts

13

Crafts

14

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 15

St. Francis of Assisi

Crafts

Decoupage St. Francis Prayer• St.Francisprayer,onecopyperchild(page16)

• St.Francispicture,onecopyperchild(page17)

• Scrappinewoodsizesmayvary,oneperchild

• Decoupage

• Paintbrushoneperchild

• Markers

• Smalldisposablecups

• Optional:buttons,sequins,beadsforembellishments

1.Setupeachchild’sworkareawithoneofthefollowingitems,St.Francisprayer,St.Francispicture,onesmalldisposablecupfilledwithdecoupageandonepaintbrush.

2.Setmarkersoutattablesarrangedforsharing.

1.Havechildrenwritenamesonthebackofthepineboard.

2.Applythedecoupagetotheboardsmoothly.Carefullyplacetheprayerandpictureontheboard.

3.Usingbrushsmoothoutthepicturemakingsureallairbubblesareworkedoutfrombehindpapers.

4.Applyagenerouslayerofdecoupageoverthepictureandprayer.

5.Placeprojectinthesuntodry. 6.Embellishwithbuttons,sequins,beadsand

otheritems.

7.Letprojectdry.

Directions

Set Up

Supplies

Appropriate for: 3rd Grade & 4th Grade

Crafts

16

Lord

, mak

e me a

n ins

trum

ent o

f you

r pea

ce.

Whe

re th

ere i

s hat

red,

let m

e sow

love

.W

here

ther

e is i

njur

y, pa

rdon

.W

here

ther

e is d

oubt

, faith

.W

here

ther

e is d

espa

ir, ho

pe.

Whe

re th

ere i

s dar

knes

s, lig

ht.

Whe

re th

ere i

s sad

ness,

joy.

O Di

vine M

aste

r,Gr

ant t

hat I

may

not s

o muc

h see

kTo

be co

nsole

d as t

o con

sole,

To be

unde

rstoo

d as t

o und

ersta

nd;

To be

love

d as t

o lov

e.Fo

r it is

in gi

ving t

hat w

e rec

eive;

It is

in pa

rdon

ing th

at w

e are

pard

oned

;An

d it i

s in d

ying t

hat w

e are

born

to et

erna

l life.

Pray

er o

f Pea

ceSt

. Fra

ncis

Lord

, mak

e me a

n ins

trum

ent o

f you

r pea

ce.

Whe

re th

ere i

s hat

red,

let m

e sow

love

.W

here

ther

e is i

njur

y, pa

rdon

.W

here

ther

e is d

oubt

, faith

.W

here

ther

e is d

espa

ir, ho

pe.

Whe

re th

ere i

s dar

knes

s, lig

ht.

Whe

re th

ere i

s sad

ness,

joy.

O Di

vine M

aste

r,Gr

ant t

hat I

may

not s

o muc

h see

kTo

be co

nsole

d as t

o con

sole,

To be

unde

rstoo

d as t

o und

ersta

nd;

To be

love

d as t

o lov

e.Fo

r it is

in gi

ving t

hat w

e rec

eive;

It is

in pa

rdon

ing th

at w

e are

pard

oned

;An

d it i

s in d

ying t

hat w

e are

born

to et

erna

l life.

Pray

er o

f Pea

ceSt

. Fra

ncis

Lord

, mak

e me a

n ins

trum

ent o

f you

r pea

ce.

Whe

re th

ere i

s hat

red,

let m

e sow

love

.W

here

ther

e is i

njur

y, pa

rdon

.W

here

ther

e is d

oubt

, faith

.W

here

ther

e is d

espa

ir, ho

pe.

Whe

re th

ere i

s dar

knes

s, lig

ht.

Whe

re th

ere i

s sad

ness,

joy.

O Di

vine M

aste

r,Gr

ant t

hat I

may

not s

o muc

h see

kTo

be co

nsole

d as t

o con

sole,

To be

unde

rstoo

d as t

o und

ersta

nd;

To be

love

d as t

o lov

e.Fo

r it is

in gi

ving t

hat w

e rec

eive;

It is

in pa

rdon

ing th

at w

e are

pard

oned

;An

d it i

s in d

ying t

hat w

e are

born

to et

erna

l life.

Pray

er o

f Pea

ceSt

. Fra

ncis

Lord

, mak

e me a

n ins

trum

ent o

f you

r pea

ce.

Whe

re th

ere i

s hat

red,

let m

e sow

love

.W

here

ther

e is i

njur

y, pa

rdon

.W

here

ther

e is d

oubt

, faith

.W

here

ther

e is d

espa

ir, ho

pe.

Whe

re th

ere i

s dar

knes

s, lig

ht.

Whe

re th

ere i

s sad

ness,

joy.

O Di

vine M

aste

r,Gr

ant t

hat I

may

not s

o muc

h see

kTo

be co

nsole

d as t

o con

sole,

To be

unde

rstoo

d as t

o und

ersta

nd;

To be

love

d as t

o lov

e.Fo

r it is

in gi

ving t

hat w

e rec

eive;

It is

in pa

rdon

ing th

at w

e are

pard

oned

;An

d it i

s in d

ying t

hat w

e are

born

to et

erna

l life.

Pray

er o

f Pea

ceSt

. Fra

ncis

Lord

, mak

e me a

n ins

trum

ent o

f you

r pea

ce.

Whe

re th

ere i

s hat

red,

let m

e sow

love

.W

here

ther

e is i

njur

y, pa

rdon

.W

here

ther

e is d

oubt

, faith

.W

here

ther

e is d

espa

ir, ho

pe.

Whe

re th

ere i

s dar

knes

s, lig

ht.

Whe

re th

ere i

s sad

ness,

joy.

O Di

vine M

aste

r,Gr

ant t

hat I

may

not s

o muc

h see

kTo

be co

nsole

d as t

o con

sole,

To be

unde

rstoo

d as t

o und

ersta

nd;

To be

love

d as t

o lov

e.Fo

r it is

in gi

ving t

hat w

e rec

eive;

It is

in pa

rdon

ing th

at w

e are

pard

oned

;An

d it i

s in d

ying t

hat w

e are

born

to et

erna

l life.

Pray

er o

f Pea

ceSt

. Fra

ncis

Lord

, mak

e me a

n ins

trum

ent o

f you

r pea

ce.

Whe

re th

ere i

s hat

red,

let m

e sow

love

.W

here

ther

e is i

njur

y, pa

rdon

.W

here

ther

e is d

oubt

, faith

.W

here

ther

e is d

espa

ir, ho

pe.

Whe

re th

ere i

s dar

knes

s, lig

ht.

Whe

re th

ere i

s sad

ness,

joy.

O Di

vine M

aste

r,Gr

ant t

hat I

may

not s

o muc

h see

kTo

be co

nsole

d as t

o con

sole,

To be

unde

rstoo

d as t

o und

ersta

nd;

To be

love

d as t

o lov

e.Fo

r it is

in gi

ving t

hat w

e rec

eive;

It is

in pa

rdon

ing th

at w

e are

pard

oned

;An

d it i

s in d

ying t

hat w

e are

born

to et

erna

l life.

Pray

er o

f Pea

ceSt

. Fra

ncis

Crafts

17

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 18

St. Francis of Assisi

Supplies

Crafts

St. Francis Grotto• Brownsand

• Smallrectangularcoffeetinswithlids

• Smallsilkflowers

• SmallstatueofSt.Francis(www.catholicdirect.com)

1.Fillsmallpapercupsapproximately¼ofthewayfullofcraftglue.Placeasmallpaintbrushineachcupofglue.

2.Placeapaperplateandonepapertowelateachchild’sworkarea.

3.Fillonesmallpapercuphalfwaywithbrownsand.

1.Placecoffeetinonpaperplate.Applygluecoveringthreesidesofcoffeetin(leaveoneshortsidewithnoglue).

2.Sprinklebrownsandevenlycoveringallglueoncoffeetin.

3.Takethelidofthecoffeetinandhavechildrenwritetheirnamesontheoutsidesurface.Thiswillactuallybeonthebottomoftheprojectwhencompleted.

4.Usingcoffeetinlid,applyagenerousamountofgluetothecenteroflid.Anareathesizeofaquartershouldbefine.Carefullyplacecoffeetinonlidinanupright(grotto)position.Coffeetinshouldbestandinginaperpendicularmannersothelidactsasabaseforgrotto.Touchupanyspotsthatmightbemissingsand.

5.Applymoregluegenerouslyinthelidonbothsidesofthetingrottoandfillwithsilkflowers,greenery,andSpanishmoss.

6.ApplygenerousamountofglueontheinsideofgrottoandplacethesmallstatueofSt.Francisintheglue.Childrenmayaddflowersinsidethegrottoorembellishinanymannerwiththesuppliesavailable.

7.Carefullyplacegrottosinanareatodrythatwillnotbedisturbed.

Directions

Set Up

Appropriate for: 5th Grade & 6th Grade

• Craftglue

• Paintbrushes

• Paperplatesforeachchild’sworkarea

• Smallpapercups

• Papertowels

• Permanentmarkers

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 19

St. Francis of Assisi

Music

Sing to the tune of Michael, Row the Boat Ashore

Francis, Help My Love to Grow

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 20

St. Francis of Assisi

Snacks

Ingredients

Directions

Suggestions

Bird Food Snack• 1cupSunflowerseeds

• ½cupPeanuts

• 1packageofGummyworms

1. Combineingredientsinalargeziplockbag.

2. Shake,shake,shakethoroughlymixingingredients.

3. ServeinsmallDixiesizecups(serves10children).

TalkaboutthestoryofSt.Francispreachingtothebirds.Hepracticedhispreachinginthewoodsandthebirdsgatheredaroundandlistenedtohissermon.AfterwardSaintFrancistoldthebirdstogooutandsingtoglorifyGod.HaveadiscussionwiththechildrenaboutanimalsandGod’sloveforallofHiscreation.HowcanchildrenglorifyGodbyhelpingandlovinganimals?

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 21

St. Francis of Assisi

Supplies

Gam

es

How to Play

Carry the Stones Relay• 1ballperchild

• conesorothermarkertoindicatestartingline

• Optional:usewaterballoonsinsteadofballsonhotsummerdays

St.Franciscarriedheavystonesfromfieldsnearandfartorepairtheoldchurchinthenearbytown.Let’shavearaceandcarryasmanystonesaspossibletohelpSt.Francis.

Splitthegroupintotwoteams.Placeballsatadesignatedplacefromthestartingline.Spacethispileatadistanceappropriateforeachagegroup.Theyoungonesshouldhavelessdistancetorun.Challengetheoldestgroupwithalongerdistancetorun.

Lineeachteamupwiththefirstpersoninlinereadytorunforthestones.

Theobjectofthegameistoruntotherocksandgrababall(stone),runbacktothelineanddropthe“stone”neartheline.Thewinningteamistheonethatmovesalloftheballsbacktotheirlinefirst.

GreatjobhelpingrebuildtheChurch!

A Catholic Vacation Bible School Program © 2009 22

St. Francis of Assisi

Romans 13:10 “Love does no evil to the neighbor,

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law ”

–St Joseph Edition NAB

St. Francis

Romans 13:10 “Love does no evil to the neighbor,

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law ”

–St Joseph Edition NAB

St. Francis

Romans 13:10 “Love does no evil to the neighbor,

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law ”

–St Joseph Edition NAB

St. Francis

Romans 13:10 “Love does no evil to the neighbor,

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law ”

–St Joseph Edition NAB

St. Francis

Romans 13:10 “Love does no evil to the neighbor,

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law ”

–St Joseph Edition NAB

St. Francis

Romans 13:10 “Love does no evil to the neighbor,

hence, love is the fulfillment of the law ”

–St Joseph Edition NAB

St. Francis

Memory Verse