Catholic Girls League

CGL Lenten Shoebox Project

Before the project officially began, Monsignor Patrick invited the CGL girls to speak to the parishioners at each Mass, sharing their Lenten project initiative and encouraging the parish community to support their efforts. The support from the St Edwards Parishioners was so heartfelt, loving and Kindness beyond measure.

The girls prepared 40 shoeboxes — 20 for girls and 20 for boys — each beautifully decorated and thoughtfully packed with items such as:

Hand towels
Toothpaste and soap
Hand cream
Handwritten notes of encouragement
And many more items.

A CGL girl also designed beautiful posters to promote the project and encourage donations from the parish community.

Each CGL girl also received a CGL bag to keep her items and bring them to every meeting, helping them stay organized and prepared for projects.

Thanks to Our Parish Community

We are deeply grateful to the parishioners of St. Edward’s Parish for their generosity. Donations of supplies, gift cards, and cash helped make this project possible.

Special thanks also go to the dedicated volunteers who helped organize and support the project, and to the individual donors who contributed items for the girls to include in the shoeboxes.

Faith and Inspiration

The girls were blessed to receive an inspirational Lenten reflection from Monsignor Patrick, who spoke about the meaning of Lent, blessed the shoeboxes, and gave the girls a special blessing.

During the meeting, one of the CGL girls shared a presentation about St. Josephine Bakhita, inspiring everyone with her story of faith, courage, and compassion.

St. Josephine Bakhita – Forgiveness in Action

Think About:

“How can someone forgive the unforgivable?”

Quick Biography

Born: 1868, Darfur, Sudan
Kidnapped at age 7–8; enslaved for 12 years, endured abuse and lost her name.
Took the name Bakhita, meaning “fortunate.”
Freed in Italy (1883), joined Canossian Sisters.
Baptized Josephine Margaret Fortunata, received First Communion & Confirmation.
Served 42 years as cook and doorkeeper; known as Madre Moretta / Sor Moretta.
Died: February 8, 1947, last words: “Our Lady… Our Lady.”

Lessons on Forgiveness

Forgiveness is freedom – it breaks chains of hatred.
Forgiveness does not deny injustice – scars are real, but evil doesn’t have the last word.
Forgiveness flows from identity – being loved by God gives strength.
Forgiveness is a process – grows through prayer, surrender, and grace.

Prayer for Forgiveness

Lord Jesus,

You know my wounds and the memories that still hurt.

Today I choose freedom.

I place my pain into Your hands.

Give me the grace to forgive, even if it must begin again today.

Free my heart from bitterness.

Fill it instead with Your peace.

St. Josephine Bakhita, pray for me.

Amen.

Upcoming Visit to Covenant House

The CGL girls plan to deliver the 40 shoeboxes, along with the many donated supplies, gift cards, and a generous cash donation, to Covenant House soon.

A Heartfelt Thank You

The Catholic Girls League is proud of the girls for their kindness, creativity, and commitment to helping others. We extend a special thank you to Monsignor Patrick for his continued support, guidance, and kindness, and to everyone in our parish community who made this Lenten project possible.

CGL Covenant House Lenten House Project - Pictures:

Next CGL meeting is Thursday March 26, 2026 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. It will be an exciting learning fun session. Please bring a friend and ensure you have registered on the online.

January 2026 Highlights

At our January meeting, the Catholic Girls League celebrated their one-year anniversary—a milestone for the CGL girls and a moment to reflect on a year full of faith, fun, and growth. The celebration included cupcakes and hot chocolate, adding a festive and joyful touch to the evening.

We were also grateful to welcome Linda Peltzer, who delivered a thoughtful Public Speaking workshop on the importance of public speaking and practical techniques for speaking clearly and confidently. Each girl then presented an impromptu speech on a topic assigned by Linda, and every presentation was excellent—a true testament to their courage and preparation.

We also learned about our Saint of the Month, Saint Genevieve, through a presentation by our Treasurer.

St. Genevieve (Summary)

Saint Genevieve of Paris was a fifth-century Catholic saint and the patron saint of Paris. Born around 422 in Nanterre, she dedicated her life to God at a young age after being recognized for her faith by Saint Germain of Auxerre. She lived a life of prayer, fasting, and service, caring especially for the poor, the sick, and those in need.

She is best known for her leadership during a time of great fear, when Paris was threatened by Attila the Hun. Saint Genevieve encouraged the people to place their trust in God, and according to tradition, the city was spared. She continued to serve the Church and her community throughout her life and died around the year 512. Her feast day is celebrated on January 3, and she is remembered as a model of Catholic Faith, Courage, and Charity.

Celebration of Achievements

Over the past year, the CGL girls have accomplished so much through a variety of engaging activities:

Donation to the St. Edward’s Passion Play
Salsa and hip hop dance workshops
Participation in the Christmas Bazaar
Monthly celebrations of a Saint
Healthy relationships Workshop
Learning and singing the Regina Caeli
Bracelet making for First Communion children and Confirmation youth
Watching the inspirational movie All or Nothing: The Life of Sister Clare Crockett

Skill-building and Creativity Activities:

Cursive Writing: Members practiced cursive writing while creating personalized name tags.
Communion Bracelets: The group assembled beautiful bracelets for children preparing for their First Communion.
Planting Activity: Members planted vegetables and herbs in small pots, learning about sustainability and hands-on care.
Handwriting Practice: Activities focused on improving handwriting, patience, and attention to detail.
Origami: Girls created intricate origami pieces, enhancing focus and precision.
Friendship Bracelet Making: Personalized bracelets were made to symbolize the bonds formed within the group.

Building Connections

Through these activities, the CGL girls strengthened friendships and developed meaningful connections with peers and mentors, fostering a supportive and collaborative community. Each member proudly wears a CGL sash for special events, marking their participation and dedication.

The evening concluded joyfully with a reflection on the year’s accomplishments and a renewed sense of purpose as the CGL looks forward to another year of Faith, Friendship, Fun, and Formation.

For more information about the Catholic Girls League and upcoming events, please visit the CGL website.

Next Meeting: Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 6:30 pm – Please register online. - Lenten Project Activity

Jan 2026 Highlights