tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53722622139145621992024-02-19T18:49:06.294-08:00Kelly Ann Lynch, OFSAuthor ~ Speaker ~ Story TellerKelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-799667581859798122008-11-20T13:29:00.000-08:002012-07-13T05:54:13.189-07:00Spiritual Renewal Through Presentations & Retreats<div align="left">
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<span style="color: #333333;"><strong>"Life is not about what happens to you, </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><strong>it's about how you respond to what happens to you."</strong></span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C2vA-wA_s93MYvDALjWn0D-ECrhdee6XbySw-oyfp8KzCCpem85Cb6HP5SgfWr8mJ6zRFLqoKu8oKqyHipCiTZLeCfcKQmJ9rouJThtBqmGiJEg4Z5r_7QBiLx5zNcQhyphenhyphenvC9lxmXet8/s1600-h/Picture1.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301299954388825474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C2vA-wA_s93MYvDALjWn0D-ECrhdee6XbySw-oyfp8KzCCpem85Cb6HP5SgfWr8mJ6zRFLqoKu8oKqyHipCiTZLeCfcKQmJ9rouJThtBqmGiJEg4Z5r_7QBiLx5zNcQhyphenhyphenvC9lxmXet8/s320/Picture1.gif" style="float: left; height: 324px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 190px;" /></a></span></div>
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Author of best-selling and award-winning book, <em>He Said Yes, The Story of Father Mychal Judge,</em> Kelly Ann Lynch is pleased to offer interactive, biblically-based and spirit-driven presentations to children and teens in Catholic/Christian schools and churches, as well as workshops and retreats for Confirmation students, teachers and adults.<br /><br /><strong>Her message is simple: Be aware. Listen and learn. Love and serve.</strong> <br />
Kelly is a stay-at-home mother, a best-selling and award-winning author, a co-founder of Mychal's Message <span style="font-size: 85%;">(</span><a href="http://www.mychalsmessage.org/"><span style="font-size: 85%;">http://www.mychalsmessage.org/</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">),</span> and the founder of Sandal Steps Presentations. Born and raised Catholic, Kelly is also a Secular Franciscan. Kelly has spoken to thousands of children, teens and adults across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio who have been captivated by her stories of great faith in transforming sadness into joy and darkness into light. <br />
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<em>"Students will leave this presentation wanting more!" ~Principal, St. Brendan School, North Olmsted, OH </em><br />
<em>"It is a marvelous, uplifting, and meaningful program that anyone who has the opportunity should not miss." ~Principal, St. Joseph's School, East Rutherford, NJ</em><br />
<em>"Kelly's presentation [provided] a spiritual renewal for the students and teachers alike" ~Religion Teacher, St. Columba School, Bloomsburg, PA</em><br />
<em>"Wonderful presentation! A message students truly need to hear!"~Teacher, St. Gregory the Great School, Hamilton Square, NJ</em><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342667445183733842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwq-EP9kBRuFi3O69xZHb_RMTATrw3ppHWBjfeS0FnBzQq_fWCxE1sbOkoogOJOQ9VTRRH_SmHyHoGwKGbKHFCdiY49vBq2l2A-Vils91pT-5hE6nAMYY-yJTl_oSG412bnO0IdZ78qc/s320/puppets4.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-42261417941745845522008-11-20T08:25:00.000-08:002010-02-04T04:08:35.578-08:00Sandal Steps Original Presentation<span style="color:#993399;"><span style="color:#000000;"><em>A Spirit-Driven Program for Catholic Children in<br />Kindergarten through 8th Grade</em> </span></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Because “God is as close as a whispered prayer”</strong></span><br /><em><br /></em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271216799991871458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd6tsxFLKsL18CBVsFZmVj6bW_W8CMxEWIRy10XFNnc9L3QWSBlXJ0ZVVcMGtIQknIrIpBvDAxdeFGl1dpRpv2PpE1cPgDUcn_O9exIipLTnp563GHEqmd7uLq58vo_eZb9fjnq7GzJ0/s200/seahorse.gif" />Author of best-selling and award-winning book, <em>He Said Yes, The Story of Father Mychal Judge</em>, Kelly Ann Lynch is pleased to present her Sandal Steps© Presentations for Catholic children. Inspired by lifelong friend Father Mychal Judge, Kelly became the author of He Said Yes, a co-founder of Mychal’s Message and the founder of Sandal Steps© Presentations. Below you will find detailed information about Kelly's <strong>Sandal Steps (Original) </strong>presentation. Please visit <em><strong>Marian Program ~ NEW! </strong></em>on this website for detailed information about Kelly's <strong>Sandal Steps of Mary</strong> presentation. Both presentations are currently offered for elementary and middle school students.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#993399;">SANDAL STEPS (Original)</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;"></span></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Listening for God’s Voice</span><br /></strong><br />Kelly will speak to the children about what it means to say Yes to God, sharing little stories of her own childhood, including “The Seahorse Story,” and how she learned that God was as close as a whispered prayer. She will tell them how to recognize and hear God’s voice amidst the busy pace of today’s world and will use interactive puppets to share the story of Elijah and how he came to hear God’s voice in the soft sound of a whisper. In a simple game of “Follow The Leader,” Kelly will teach the children how they must look and listen for their leader—God—in order to follow Him.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Saying Yes</span></strong><br /><br />Encouraging and explaining vocations, Kelly will remind the children that each one of them is called to a vocation (single or married person in the church, priest, nun, deacon). Using puppets, she’ll tell the story of Samuel, one of the many people who said Yes to God. Kelly will show the children a doll of St. Francis and a large San Damiano crucifix from Assisi, as she explains the moment that St. Francis said Yes to God. Then Kelly will tell the children about Father Mychal Judge, a man she’d known all her life, and how he said Yes to God by following in the footsteps of St. Francis. Kelly will read her book, He Said Yes, to the children, explaining that the story doesn’t end, but rather continues with each of us today.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Making a Difference<br /></span></strong><br />Kelly will use puppets to tell the children how Samuel’s story continued and how God called Jesse’s young son David, through Samuel, to be the king of Israel. Encouraging the children to say Yes, she will tell them about her own daughter, Shannon, and how she said Yes to God when she was just 11 years old and inspired a nationally known organization in Father Mychal’s name that collects and distributes new items to the homeless and poor. Showing the children a can opener and a lunch bag, Kelly will challenge them to guess how these simple items could change a person’s life.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Living the Life You Were Meant to Live</span></strong><br /><br />Kelly will tell the children about the moment she was inspired to write He Said Yes, how the illustrator and the publisher said Yes, and all she learned during the writing, editing and publishing process. She will encourage the children to read and write, listen and learn, imagine and dream, and follow their hearts.<br /><br />Sharing advice from her own father, Kelly will tell the children, “It’s okay to be different,” and she will encourage them to embrace and nurture those differences in each other. “Life is a gift,” she will tell them, and “it is up to each of us to accept that gift and to live the life we were meant to live.”<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Unique and Spirit-Driven Program Includes </span></strong><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Puppets, story telling and song </li><br /><li>Interactive presentation </li><br /><li>Prayer cards and handouts (4 pages of fun, ready-to-use activities) for all children </li><br /><li>Role-playing skit and “Kindness Challenge” for older children </li><br /><li>Firemen's hats and stickers for kindergartners</li><br /><li>Book reading </li><br /><li>Two copies of <em>He Said Yes</em> donated to school library as well as a copy of a book written by Kelly's editor, Susan Heyboer O'Keefe</li></ul>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-21368430124742737752008-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:002008-11-20T10:06:04.650-08:00School Visit Calendar<iframe src="//www.google.com/calendar/embed?showTitle=0&showPrint=0&showTabs=0&showCalendars=0&height=450&wkst=1&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&src=lynchkellyann%40aol.com&color=%23528800&ctz=America%2FNew_York" style=" border-width:0 " width="350" height="450" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-63687459767332721142008-11-19T09:34:00.000-08:002010-07-04T04:04:09.340-07:00What Others Are Saying"[Kelly's] enthusiasm and life experiences drew the students to listen and enjoy the presentation. It was excellent!<br /><em>- Teacher, St. Gregory the Great School, Hamilton Square, NJ</em><br /><br />"Every person there ... from the kindergarteners through the eighth graders through the adult staff members ... was moved by Kelly Ann Lynch's program and said it ranked as <strong>one of the best assemblies presented at our school</strong>. Everyone was engaged, <em>and even more than that</em>, we walked away with the desire to make a difference in the world by saying 'Yes' to God."<br /><em>- Mary Earnest, Asst. Principal, St. Joseph School, Mechanicsburg, PA</em><br /><br />"Kelly did a wonderful job presenting the faith and charisma of Father Mychal to the students at Saint Columba School. Her passion to share the heroic and inspiring life's story of Father Mychal, combined with her own fervent and sincere message of faith, made Kelly's presentation <strong>a spiritual renewal for the students and teachers alike</strong>."<br /><em>-Caleb Fritz, Religion Teacher, St. Columba School, Bloomsburg, PA</em><br /><br />"Kelly Ann Lynch, author of He Said Yes, gave an unforgettable book reading and signing. It was an amazing experience for the students in kindergarten through grade 6. She gave a <strong>dynamic and captivating presentation</strong> that mesmerized those in attendance. The spiritually based program included the book reading and more! There was a positive message on how we can all say yes to Jesus in different ways. <strong>Students will leave this presentation wanting more</strong>. Kelly has a true gift as an author, story teller and as a true messenger from God."<br /><em>- Julie Onacila, M.Ed., Principal, Saint Brendan School, North Olmsted, OH</em><br /><br />"What a blessing for our <strong>home school </strong>family group. In her Marian Sandal Steps presentation, Kelly not only conveyed information in an engaging format for all ages but also <strong>exuded the grace of the Holy Spirit</strong> to all present. Kelly's personal faith story is as <strong>real and inspiring</strong> as <strong>her faith is alive and positively contagious</strong>! We hope she will join us again in the future.<br /><em>- Pamela A. Kole, Homeschool mother of 7, Carlisle, PA</em><br /><br />“Kelly Ann Lynch, author of He Said Yes, presented a memorable program to our students recently at her book reading. The students were not only captivated by her book about Father Mychal Judge, but also were inspired by her trust in God. She reminded us all that God is as close as a whispered prayer."<br /><em>- Ellen Tucker, Librarian, St. Leo the Great School, Lancaster, PA</em><br /><br />"Mrs. Lynch's presentation was very insightful, down to earth, and held the attention of even the little ones."<br /><em>- Kathy Sullivan, 2nd Grade Teacher, St. Margaret Mary, Harrisburg, PA</em><br /><br />“Kelly Ann didn't just deliver a message to the youngsters at our school, she WAS an inspirational message by her obvious love for Jesus and loving concern for the children sitting on the floor in fascinated attention.”<br /><em>- Father Cassian Miles, OFM, Our Lady of the Assumption Church and School, Wood Ridge, NJ</em><br /><br />"Wonderful presentation! A message students truly need to hear!<br /><em>- Teacher, St. Gregory the Great School, Hamilton Square, NJ</em><br /><br /><br /><p>"All of us were edified by Kelly's deep and abiding faith and the active response that she and her ministry represents."<br /><em>- Father Bob Sandoz, OFM, Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church, Little Falls, NJ</em><br /><em></em><br />"It is clear Mrs. Lynch's faith resonates throughout her life."<br /><em>- Tina Solomon, 5th gr. teacher, Saint Margaret Mary School, Harrisburg, PA</em><br /><br />"Two thumbs up! "<br /><em>- Marlane Shearer, 6th grade teacher, Saint Margaret Mary School, Harrisburg, PA</em></p>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-43898124459854179012008-11-18T13:48:00.000-08:002009-02-02T12:31:17.766-08:00Just For Kids<span style="color:#333333;">God calls us to goodness in many ways. Sometimes He speaks through our parents, teachers, priests, and friends. What will you say when you hear His voice?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Elementary Age Children ~ God is as close as a whispered prayer. </strong><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;">Have a party! In lieu of gifts this year, ask your friends to bring socks for the homeless or canned goods that can be donated to a neighborhood soup kitchen. What will you do? Click "Post a Comment" below to share your ideas. Download an activity sheet <a href="http://www.mychalsmessage.org/sandalsteps/elementaryhandout.pdf">here</a></span>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Middle School Children ~ Every moment in your life is an opportunity for you to make a difference.</span> </strong></span><span style="color:#333333;">What can you do with a simple brown lunch bag? How can you use that bag to bring about kindness? Write a kind letter and leave it in a special place for someone. Fill the bag with toiletries for someone in need. What will you do? Click "Post a Comment" below to share your ideas. Download an activity sheet <a href="http://www.mychalsmessage.org/sandalsteps/middleschoolhandout.pdf">here</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292288264044707714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUS8CblhcJdukn7lOkFoWqu7NBPKinLZBj3gORmduM0EQd0gfTkNYEORwLF6Vb8qhsH5lyh7TL7DrWOjqn753W_evxtyttfBG5ntBBe75OEYB_NCP3FdAEm8dx_fBrjcu2P7ANUEUTso/s320/Bush-Sept%5B1%5D.08-Braden-St.Joes_046.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>So you want to be an author but you don't like to read? </strong></span><span style="color:#333333;">I meet children all the time who tell me that they don't like to read. <span style="color:#993399;">And you know what I say? If you don't like to read, you just haven't found the right books. </span>Try reading a cereal box or a comic strip in Sunday's paper. Try reading different kinds of books. Do you like true stories? Fiction? Mysteries? History? Poetry? Picture books? <em>Harold an<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ebGk_vyb7mDM9Lji8lzNbuqKILKSJujdGdnpCsOvDEaw7CsKsS_owtEXfg0G4zpKlxJz7FCU1rwqsAjn_JrlQ6lvN60s0e97RINWbgDFsP6HQ8-WnIAcWXmfNhrhI2kiTMUnNF2gxyk/s1600-h/Bush-Sept[1].08-Braden-St.Joes_046.jpg"></a>d the Purple Crayon</em>, for example, is a fun book where you get to travel through Harold's imagination to see what comes next. Have you ever read <em>Don't Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late?</em> The illustrations are fabulous, and you can read what the pigeon is thinking as you turn each page. Don't be intimidated by the size of a book! My son is 10, and he just finished reading one of the largest books I've ever seen - <em>The Invention of Hugo Cabret</em> - there are lots of illustrations and once he got started, he couldn't put the book down! </span><br /><p><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Get a reading light. </strong></span><span style="color:#333333;">Is your birthday coming up? Do you have any money in your piggy bank? Ask for or buy a reading light. Keep it by your bedside. Read for a few minutes each night before you go to bed. </span></p><p><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Try this.</strong> </span></span><span style="color:#333333;">Choose something from the list below - something or someone you know nothing about - and challenge yourself to learn about it. It's a fun activity, and you must read books or go to the internet (with the help of a parent) and read facts to get your answers. Here are some topics to help you get started. Remember to choose one that you know nothing about. Click "Post a Comment" below to share what you found out. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span><span style="color:#993399;">Seahorse, Antarctica, Apostle Paul, Blue Grotto in Capri Italy, Our Lady of the Smile, Homelessness, Tomie dePaola, Harmonica, History of the Teddy Bear, Lincoln Tunnel, La Befana, Our Lady of Knock, Titanic, Squanto the Indian, Mother Teresa, Miracle on the Hudson, Moon, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, John F. Kennedy, St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Francis of Assisi, The Great Depression, Rocky Mountain National Park, America's Promise, Finch</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>What did you find out?</strong> </span><span style="color:#333333;">Where did you look? The library? A book store? An encyclopedia? The internet? Click "Post a Comment" below to share what you learned. Reading opens all kinds of doors.</span></p>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-36099309773831245172008-11-07T14:27:00.000-08:002017-07-04T04:08:48.227-07:00Reasonable Fees<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaf8hEB3VckjFQgeYD3DHDwpyNCeBxBmQnMbOq2JK04wSAQg5FHDXg7mHNOO3653cvpMAeHN2Ezpbcc3Ipk5ZVLAoqP81hv3a4Fp1o907dlv1sScfGdUhmmtbTp2gbef-9K3XtWYbeVs/s1600-h/puppets3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342666428492636178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaf8hEB3VckjFQgeYD3DHDwpyNCeBxBmQnMbOq2JK04wSAQg5FHDXg7mHNOO3653cvpMAeHN2Ezpbcc3Ipk5ZVLAoqP81hv3a4Fp1o907dlv1sScfGdUhmmtbTp2gbef-9K3XtWYbeVs/s320/puppets3.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Each Sandal Steps visit is a full-day program and includes up to two hour-long presentations. For Catholic elementary schools, the day would include one presentation each for younger and older students plus a short visit with kindergarten students. The standard rate for the Sandal Steps day is $400 (plus traveling rate of 50 cents per mile round trip, tolls, hotel accommodations, meals, and airfare if applicable).<br />
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All students will receive prayer cards and handouts (4 pages of fun, ready-to-use activities). Older students will receive an invitation to participate in the "Kindness Challenge." Teens will receive cards containing the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Kindergartners will receive firemen's hats and stickers. Two copies of <em>He Said Yes</em> will also be donated to your school library, along with a copy of a book by Kelly's editor, Susan Heyboer O'Keefe.<br />
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The presentation is spirit-driven, biblically based and interactive. It is designed to inspire stronger faith and to encourage children to hear God's loving voice in their every day lives.<br />
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<strong>Sandal Steps of Mary</strong> ~ Marian program! Students will learn about Our Blessed Mother and her appearances in Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima. All children will receive a holy card at this presentation. See "Marian Program" for more details. </div>
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<strong>COMING SOON! Sandal Steps of the Saints </strong>~ brand new program with puppets, story-telling and more! Watch website for more details and to see which saints will be highlighted in this new presentation.<br />
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Confirmation retreats, CCD/PSR (Religious Education), high school and adult presentations, including teachers' retreats are also available.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong><span style="color: #993399;">Fees</span></strong> </span><br />
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<strong>Sandal Steps Presentation for Catholic Elementary Schools and Middle Schools</strong><br />
$400* per day, includes up to 2 hour-long presentations plus a 20-minute visit with kindergartners<br />
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<strong>Confirmation Retreats</strong><br />
Half day (up to 4 hours) ..... $400*<br />
Full day (up to 8 hours) ..... $600*<br />
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<strong>High School Presentations</strong><br />
$300* per day, includes up to 2 hour-long presentations<br />
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<strong>CCD/PSR Presentations</strong><br />
$200* for one 45-minute session, $75* for each additional 45-minute session scheduled at same church on the same day<br />
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<strong>Home Sweet Home</strong> <strong>Retreat</strong><br />
$300* per day, plus additional fees from National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, DC [speakers' stipends ($200-$400) and travel expenses from Washington DC (mileage, hotel and meals), "Anita Home Flat Friend Project" supplies ($25-$50 depending on size of group), and lunch supplies for "Breadline" lunch (to be prepared and provided by your church or school)]<br />
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<strong>Adult Presentations</strong><br />
$275* for 90 minute session<br />
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<strong>Teachers' Retreat - "Sandal Steps with Dots"</strong><br />
Half day (up to 4 hours) ..... $400* **<br />
Full day (up to 8 hours) ..... $600*<br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">*plus traveling rate of 50 cents per mile round trip, tolls, hotel accommodations, meals, and airfare if applicable</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">**plus $1.00 per participant for administrative and copying expenses</span><br />
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<strong>All fees are in effect through May, 2018.</strong><br />
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<strong></strong>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-20445066727048639762008-11-07T13:09:00.000-08:002009-05-25T04:08:02.132-07:00Programs for Public Schools & Libraries<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339716405734033122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiud964JFy0FLGmk00tOoA-Jcff6NCx2NFMeBz106-X34WC3QqTvqXa1gwCBpaJkqMLzTdhj6z71mj6M5jIBbIbyI7_J_ATtkprVPbxmr_Z80MtPrTNJuKzDsoH_QRAnuVZVg2eyb4L78/s200/Photo+008.jpg" border="0" /> <div><strong>Be aware. Listen and learn. Make your difference.</strong><br /></div><div> </div><div>Kelly Ann Lynch is pleased to offer presentations for public schools and libraries using recognizable children's characters and themes. "Curious George always seems to find his way into trouble," she will tell students, "but in the end, we can see the good he has done along the way."<br /><br />Encouraging children to do their own good in the world and to make their own difference, Kelly will share relevant stories from her childhood. She will explain how she won a 10-speed bicycle and got to have her picture in the local paper just by collecting the largest amount of donations in her small town for the March of Dimes.<br /><br />When she discovered how a simple smile could change someone's day, Kelly asked her mother to make her a black-and-yellow-checkered clown costume. In that costume, she was transformed into "Kelby the Klown" and visited hospitals and nursing homes offering love and laughter.<br /><br />"Every moment in your life is an opportunity," she will tell the children, "an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone else." With exuberance she will encourage them to look in their homes, their schools and their neighborhoods for someone in need ... and reach out ... and offer a simple act of kindness.<br /><br />Every child present will receive a brown lunch bag and be asked to take the Kindness Challenge. "Surely, you can do something with this bag," Kelly will tell the children, "to bring about kindness to another." Whether the children choose to fill the bags with pencils to give to a homeless student project or simply write a note of affirmation for a loved one, their efforts will not go unnoticed. And Kelly will assure them of that.<br /><br />In a world where even our President is asking us to step forward and help those in need, children must take their first steps in making our country a better place. Kelly will offer practical ideas and suggestions as guidance in those first steps. She will also share the story of how her own daughter got to meet President George W. Bush after reaching out to help others after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.<br /><br />In sharing the historical and factual story of lifelong friend, Father Mychal Judge, Kelly will tell the children what he did when he was offered an airplane ticket to anywhere in the country.<br /><br />Being aware of the needs around us, performing simple acts of kindness, and caring for each other are the founding principles of this presentation, designed specifically for public schools and libraries.<br /><br />Children will each receive a handout (4 pages of fun, ready-to-use activities) to reinforce material shared in this presentation.<br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339714384962366098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIVETjycTK2tNlhC6l6o46_XVYYv2IR1iMeziYxRxELgyLg5_tCHidt0fkEi4LajanTH7pxLMoh1uQ2qGiojm8x6jT8cBKHCwkurlzgIJTO6Q9htyAyKVgZ74yKtoRIu9648wEU6Lc8M/s320/Image2.jpg" border="0" />Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-36948733338402256832008-11-07T09:41:00.000-08:002009-02-24T09:47:09.390-08:00How to get your Story Published<p>If you've written a story and want to see it in print, here are some suggestions to get you started.</p><ul><li>Google "publishing children's stories." You will see many suggestions as to how you can have your story published.<br /></li><li>Visit <a href="http://editingpublishing.suite101.com/article.cfm/publishing_childrens_books">http://editingpublishing.suite101.com/article.cfm/publishing_childrens_books</a> online and see some options, such as <strong>IlluStory</strong> (a company that produces a hardback book for you including your story, pictures and a short bio for approximately $20) or <strong>KidPub</strong> (a company that would allow you to submit your story online and have it posted on their site for approximately $7, allowing you to hold the copyright to your story) or <strong>Stone Soup</strong> (a magazine written for children writers between the ages of 8 and 13).<br /></li><li>Visit <a href="http://www.highlightskids.com/Express/h11magCall.asp">http://www.highlightskids.com/Express/h11magCall.asp</a> online to see what Highlights magazine can offer. Each month, they publish readers' work such as poems, riddles, stories and book reviews.<br /></li><li>Check with your local library and community or recreational center to see if they offer children's writing workshops over the summer. </li></ul>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-86914063720642437712008-11-07T07:32:00.000-08:002009-02-02T13:34:34.311-08:00Sandal Steps for Pre-Teens, Teens & Confirmation Students<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTCE7H9uXoNUelgIcyU6fkzwnM5KHRP6GXQFIY5HnzbtpSlE-a8UouA_ry-BvJHFO4Rfls9MnfS-8Ed6cw3HwMk8iuAU3S_m2lKcU7iWKynsV88fnmDLLRFb-zQf4f_32hOSsCYd02vA/s1600-h/P1060810.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288579640248218690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTCE7H9uXoNUelgIcyU6fkzwnM5KHRP6GXQFIY5HnzbtpSlE-a8UouA_ry-BvJHFO4Rfls9MnfS-8Ed6cw3HwMk8iuAU3S_m2lKcU7iWKynsV88fnmDLLRFb-zQf4f_32hOSsCYd02vA/s200/P1060810.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#993399;">Kelly Ann Lynch is pleased to present her Sandal Steps© Presentations for Catholic pre-teens and teens and students preparing for Confirmation. Inspired by lifelong friend Father Mychal Judge, Kelly became the author of He Said Yes, a co-founder of Mychal’s Message and the founder of Sandal Steps© Presentations.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;">Please note that a special program has been developed for students preparing for the <strong>Sacrament of Confirmation</strong>. "Living with The Holy Spirit as Your Guide" serves as a foundation for that program and includes real-life stories of the Holy Spirit's presence. The program also teaches and encourages students to begin a life of service in their own communities.<br /><br />Below is a description of presentations for pre-teens and teens.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Listening for God’s Voice<br /></span></strong><br />Kelly will speak to the teens about what it means to say Yes to God, sharing stories of her own childhood, including “The Seahorse Story,” and how she learned how close God was. She will tell them how to recognize and hear God’s voice amidst the busy pace of today’s world and will share the story of her encounter with Christ in a ski lodge in Vermont when she was a teen. Kelly will encourage the children to look and listen for God in order to follow Him and will explain how she did just that when her first child was born with a rare liver disease and not expected to live. Teens will enjoy hearing about the day Kelly sent the Holy Spirit on vacation! </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Saying Yes</span></strong><br /><br />Encouraging and explaining vocations, Kelly will remind the teens that each one of them is called to a vocation. Reciting a poem she read in high school, Kelly will share how she came to know her vocation as a wife and mother. Kelly will share how her vocation continued as she was called to follow St. Francis in the Secular Franciscan Order. She will show them a large San Damiano crucifix blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, and explain how she felt when she walked into the Portiuncula in Assisi. Then Kelly will tell the teens about Father Mychal Judge, a man she’d known all her life, and how he said Yes to God by following in the footsteps of St. Francis. Kelly will read her book, He Said Yes, explaining that the story doesn’t end, but rather continues with each of us today.<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Making a Difference</strong><br /></span><br />In a role-playing skit that fosters team building and compassion, the teens will enjoy watching how the lives of 13 ordinary people unfold before their eyes. Then, Kelly will share how an empty violin case changed the life of a homeless man. Encouraging the teens to say Yes in their own lives, Kelly will tell them about her own daughter, Shannon, and how she said inspired a nationally known organization in Father Mychal’s name. Showing the teens a can opener and a lunch bag, Kelly will challenge them to guess how these simple items could change a person’s life.<br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"><strong></strong></span><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Living the Life You Were Meant to Live</span><br /></strong><br />Kelly will tell the teens about the moment she was inspired to write He Said Yes, how the illustrator and the publisher said Yes, and all she learned during the writing, editing and publishing process. She will encourage the teens to read and write, listen and learn, imagine and dream, and follow their hearts.<br /><br />Sharing advice received from her own father in high school, Kelly will tell the teens, “It’s okay to be different,” and she will encourage them to embrace and nurture those differences in each other. “Life is a gift,” she will tell them, and “it is up to each of us to accept that gift and to live the life we were meant to live.”<br /></span>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-9664937831538622592008-11-05T04:02:00.000-08:002009-09-05T04:08:23.662-07:00Hearing and Acting on the Call to Service<em><span style="font-size:85%;">written by Kelly Ann Lynch, with a little help from Carole Ann Dicton, March 2009</span><br /></em><br />At a time when even our President is discussing the importance of serving others, it is up to each of us, especially those committed to a life of following Christ, to act upon that call. In a message that aired during halftime of the NBA All Star game in February, President Obama said, “In this time of so much need in our communities and across our country, we are blessed with endless ways to restore hope and opportunity in places that yearn for both.” In his speech and his actions, the 44th President of the United States has reminded us that the spirit of service is a willingness to find meaning in something greater than ourselves.<br /><br />In a small town in Pennsylvania, the evening paper has just arrived. Buried beneath headlines about the East Coast blanketed in a blizzard-like snow, the failing economy, and the prison sentence of a serial burglar, you will find a story about a Spirit of Kindness Club wherein individuals are seeking to spread good will by performing a single act of kindness each day. A little further into the paper, you will read about a sewing project that is aimed to give back, as high school students turn pillowcases into dresses for Mexican orphans. After reading those inspirational stories, you will believe President Obama’s words in that we are blessed with endless opportunities to restore hope and dignity. The key is to act on those opportunities.<br /><br />Seven years ago, that same small town newspaper featured a story about a young girl named Shannon Hickey. The article described Shannon, then 11, as a “bubbly 6th grader” who wanted to “incorporate one man’s work with the anniversary of her own re-birth.” The man, FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, OFM, was killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and Shannon’s “re-birth” referred to the day she received a life-saving liver transplant as an infant. With a simple idea to collect socks for the homeless in lieu of gifts on her transplant anniversary, Shannon discovered a way to celebrate her life while remembering the life of her friend – a simple idea that gave Shannon’s family the opportunity to grieve, heal and persevere amidst such overwhelming sadness.<br /><br />When those first socks were distributed in 2002, Shannon began to uncover the endless opportunities she had to help others and to fulfill some of their basic needs. Over the years her efforts grew into a ministry called Mychal’s Message. Shannon, her family, friends and others drawn into the light of her generous spirit, met thousands of men, women and children on breadlines and soup kitchens. To-date, the organization has collected and donated nearly a quarter of a million items to the homeless and poor – simple necessities such as new underwear, blankets, sneakers, and warm coats; or luxurious treasures such as soap, shampoo, a toothbrush and a teddy bear.<br /><br />As the ministry grew, Shannon was recognized and acknowledged through various awards, including the Sertoma International Service to Mankind Award and the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. She was a greeter for President George W. Bush who referred to Shannon as “an example of what you can do to help change America, one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time.” She even got to cut the ribbon at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.<br /><br />Now a freshman in college, Shannon’s sensitivity to the plight of those less fortunate and her compulsion to act on that awareness is as strong as ever. After a recent visit to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for her annual transplant check-up, Shannon was visiting St. Francis Inn to deliver some Mychal’s Message donations. She was overcome with emotion as she reflected on the blessing of her health, in contrast to the poverty and the suffering of others in her midst. On the spot, she thought “What can I do to change this?” and was inspired to launch another Mychal’s Message project to benefit the Inn.<br /><br />As we walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, we should never stop asking, “what can I do to change this?” when faced with suffering in our world. If children – those making clothes out of pillowcases or those forming life-long ministries and receiving international acclaim – can find ways to answer this call to service so profoundly, surely, those of us with a vowed commitment and special mission to change the world must do the same.Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-41529026535578083872008-11-02T20:22:00.000-08:002009-03-28T20:26:44.205-07:00"I Thirst," a reflection on one of the last words of Jesus from the Cross<div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><br />Jesus, aware that all had now come to its appointed end, said in fulfillment of Scripture, I thirst. (John 19:28)<br /><br />Fulton Sheen wrote that “the human heart is always anxious to hear of the state of mind of anyone at that very common, and yet very mysterious, moment called death.” Fulton Sheen goes on to say that “There was never a preacher like the dying Christ, there was never a congregation like that which gathered about the pulpit of the Cross; and there was never a sermon like the Seven Last Words.”<br /><br />But the words, “I thirst” – the shortest of Our Lord’s 7 cries from the cross – also referred to as “The Fifth Words” – call out to me as I recall the day when I said those words myself. I was 23 years old and had just undergone a 10 hour operation where doctors removed one-third of my liver to be transplanted into my dying daughter’s 7 month-old body. I remember waking up in the recovery room. I was in pain that I’d never known in my life and have not known since. My lips were dry. My tongue stuck to the roof of my parched mouth. My throat burned with pain. How I ached. It hurt to speak. It hurt to breathe. I remember the nurse who sat at my side, dressed in blue. My voice cracked as I spoke to her softly. “I am thirsty,” I told her. She placed a cool rag on my forehead, then lifted a small white cup from the stand beside her. In it, she placed a sponged swab that would lift some of the water from the cup. As if in slow motion, the nurse brought that sponged swab soaked with water from the cup to my lips. Ever so gently, she rubbed my lips with the cool water, and as I opened my mouth, she placed the sponge onto my tongue. I recall how refreshing it felt as I closed my lips and savored the cool drops of water that trickled down my burning throat.<br /><br />I was a mother and would have done anything to save my child, to ease her suffering and pain. How difficult it must have been for Our Blessed Mother Mary to endure that moment when her Son said, “I thirst.” I can only imagine how she must have wanted to lift a sponged swab of cool water to the dry aching lips of her dying Son. She would have done anything to ease His suffering.<br /><br />The words, “I thirst,” first spoken on Calvary by Jesus, echo tonight in our hearts and minds as we reflect on Our Lord’s passion on the cross. If only we were there at that moment. If only we could have had the opportunity to satisfy the thirst of Jesus. If only.<br /><br />But have we not had that opportunity? For Jesus tells us … “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink. Whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” Mother Teresa answered that call with her life. The words “I thirst” had a special meaning for her. In cut-out paper letters, those words appeared at the side of the tabernacle in the chapel of her Missionaries of Charity where she spent time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament each day. Mother Teresa also ordered those words to appear next to the cross in all her communities around the world. And in her own words, she said, “The Lord is thirsty for our love, for our heart. He wants to give himself to us. And through us, he wishes to give his love to others.”<br /><br />Many people wrote to Mother Teresa over the years, all wanting to come to Calcutta, to work beside her. They too wanted to encounter Christ in the slums, in the poorest of the poor. But, Mother Teresa’s response was the same to all her inquirers. She said, “Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.” How can you love those closest to you?<br /><br />Often when my own husband is mowing the lawn on a hot day, I send one of my children out to meet him with a cold glass of iced tea. From the kitchen window, I watch as my husband stops the mower, wipes his sweaty forehead, and accepts the drink gratefully. And I watch the proud look on the face of my child. For if we truly believe that Christ lives in each of us, then it is at those moments that we satisfy the thirst of Jesus. And it is in those moments that we listen to the words of Mother Teresa in taking care of those closest to us.<br /><br />I am blessed to have been raised by parents who taught me compassion for those less fortunate and to have known a Franciscan priest who worked with many homeless and poor men and women in his lifetime. The opportunities to feed the hungry or give drink to the thirsty were accessible to me. I have encountered the living Christ on breadlines and in soup kitchens. And I can tell you that He is most gracious and kind when I meet him there. At a soup kitchen in Philadelphia almost five years ago, I met a mother with three small children – the youngest, who was carrying an empty baby bottle, was in an umbrella stroller. “It’s so hot,” the mother said, “and my children are thirsty.” That day, we had set up a Lemonade Stand in the paved yard adjacent to the soup kitchen. An Igloo cooler held ice cubes while another held gallons of Turkey Hill Lemonade with plastic cups stacked beside the coolers. A sign taped to the top of one of the coolers said, “Lemonade FREE.” I pointed the mother in that direction and watched as she filled her baby’s bottle with cold lemonade. The baby, a little girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes, lifted the bottle to her red-cheeked and sun-warmed face. “Whenever you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” Those five words – you did it for me – were as important to Mother Teresa as the fifth words of Jesus from the Cross – “I thirst.”<br /><br />In His previous words from the Cross, Jesus was speaking to others, but it appears now that He is speaking of Himself when He says, “I thirst.” Fulton Sheen writes that it is “indeed true that the loss of blood through the sufferings, the unnatural position of the body with the extreme tension on hands and feet, the overstretched muscles, the wounds exposed to air, the headache from the crowning of thorns, the swelling of the blood vessels, the increasing inflammation – all would have produced a physical thirst. And it was not surprising that He thirsted; what was surprising was that He said so.” He who made the seas and rivers … He who said to the Samaritan woman: “The man who drinks the water I give him will not know thirst any more” … He who performed miracles … now said the words, “I thirst,” spoken not solely because of a physical need, though great as it must have been. The real reason for the request was the fulfillment of the prophecies. The Psalmist David wrote foretelling of the thirst of Our Lord, “My mouth is dry as a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaw” and “They put poison in my food and gave me vinegar when I was thirsty.” Jesus assured us by His words from the Cross that He was the Son of the Almighty God as the bystanders of the Cross who knew well the Old Testament prophecies were given another proof that He was the Messiah.<br /><br />Mother Teresa sums up the words “I thirst” in her own reflection of Jesus’ thoughts from the Cross. “I thirst for you. I thirst to love and to be loved by you – that is how precious you are to me. Come to me, and fill your heart and heal your wounds. If you feel unimportant in the eyes of the world, that matters not at all. For me, there is no one any more important in the entire world than you. I thirst for you. Come to me. Thirst for me. Give me your life – and I will prove to you how important you are to my heart.”<br /><br />Tonight, as Our Lord thirsts for you, for your love, for your soul … are You thirsting for Him? Is your soul thirsting for Our Lord? </div>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-18170524856416802442008-11-02T10:07:00.000-08:002017-07-04T04:00:13.572-07:00Teachers' Retreat<strong>Sandal Steps with Dots</strong><br />
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<em><strong>Connecting the Dots and Sharing Your Journey with the Holy Spirit</strong> </em><em><br /></em>Kelly Ann Lynch is pleased to offer a teachers' retreat for Catholic school teachers, faculty and staff.<br />
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Sensing the nearness of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, this retreat offers teachers an opportunity to pause and reflect, refresh and renew before, during or after a busy school year.<br />
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<strong>Who are you? Where did you come from? Who has guided you along the way?</strong> Kelly will share stories of her own life, explaining how faith became such an integral part of who she is. She will challenge the teachers, faculty and staff members to look deeply into their own hearts and begin drawing and connecting the dots that make up who they are today, focusing especially on those who helped mold their spiritual paths.<br />
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<strong>Who is the Holy Spirit? Where did He come from? And how has He guided you along the way?</strong> Kelly will share biblical and factual events to explain who the Holy Spirit is, giving practical suggestions and ideas as to how one can learn to follow Him, to hear Him, to listen for His voice. "A special grace that comes from the Holy Spirit allows us to choose right from wrong and good from evil," she will tell the teachers, reinforcing what St. Paul said: “Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” Through personal reflection, Kelly will guide the teachers to discover who has been the voice of the Holy Spirit in their own lives.<br />
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<strong>Can you catch the Spirit? Can you allow the Spirit to breathe new life into you each day? </strong>Change takes time, but Kelly will encourage the teachers to catch the Spirit, already present in their lives. "The larger the Spirit, the easier it is to catch," she will tell them after having them participate in an activity to reinforce that belief. Discussing the importance of prayer, each participant will be assigned a prayer partner for the year.<br />
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<strong>How can you bring the Spirit into your everyday life? How can you share the Spirit with others? With your students? How will you allow the Spirit to change you? </strong>Using real life stories and situations, Kelly will solidify this presentation by reinforcing that "God is real. God gave us free will. We can find God everywhere. God will not abandon us. And God wants us to be aware." As faculty and educators in Catholic schools, teachers have a unique opportunity to share their faith stories with the students they encounter. Their journeys with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are an important aspect of how they teach and reach their students. Kelly will encourage the teachers to share their own faith journeys with their students in an effort to model the very important aspect of faith. Faith is necessary. And Kelly will offer teachers suggestions and ways to make that faith visible to students in the classroom.<br />
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We are all one body in Christ and must respect everyone present in our schools, and Kelly will share that message with teachers at this retreat. Quoting from Mother Teresa, she will share how the toxic emotions and words spoken in the spirit of anger can leave behind a terrible wake, encouraging teachers and staff not to allow that to happen in their schools.<br />
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Sharing stories of love and forgiveness, tragedy and triumph, sadness and joy, Kelly will engage the teachers in this half day retreat in the hopes of encouraging, enlightening and empowering them to be all they were called to be and to embrace their vocation and occupation of teachers in Catholic schools.<br />
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The presentation will end with a look at the future, with an end goal in sight. After connecting their own dots in spiritual activities and exercises, the teachers will be encouraged to begin again, with a renewed sense of hope and faith.<br />
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The presentation is 4 hours long, with two 15 minute breaks and includes time for individual personal reflection.<br />
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<strong>Here's what other teachers and school faculty members are saying ...</strong><br />
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<em>"A must to renew the Spirit!"</em><br />
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<em>"Excellent job, well prepared."</em><br />
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<em>"This retreat was the best afternoon I've spent in a long time!"</em><br />
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<em>"[Kelly's] love of God and her passion for her faith truly inspired me."</em><br />
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<em>"A marvelous retreat!"</em><br />
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<em>"Well prepared, enthusiastic, material well organized and relevant to theme of the workshop."</em><br />
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<em>"Wonderful life lessons learned."</em><br />
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<em>"Your faith witness allowed me to see and hear the Spirit!"</em><br />
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<em>"Thank you. I needed a kick from the Holy Spirit today!"</em><br />
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<em></em>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-75892131769694702952008-11-02T02:50:00.000-08:002010-09-02T03:41:23.569-07:00Just for Catholic School TeachersHow can you share the Spirit, the very real presence of God, with your students and in your classrooms? Here are a few suggestions.<br /><br /><strong>YOU HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY. </strong>As educators and faculty in a Catholic school, you have a unique opportunity to share your faith story with the students you encounter. Your stories are important. Your journey with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is an important aspect of how you teach and reach your students. Share your journey and your stories with students and help them recognize the journey they are on every day with God.<br /><br /><strong>MODEL A CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE. </strong>Model for your students what it's like to <strong><em>have </em></strong>a Christ-centered life. Your example will teach more than any book can. Wear a visible sign of your faith - a crucifix, a miraculous medal, a scapular - and be ready to explain why you wear it.<br /><br /><strong>LISTEN FOR GOD'S VOICE. </strong>Teach your students how to listen with the "ear of their heart" and explain the different sounds heard when listening with our physical ears compared to the "ear of our heart."<br /><br /><strong>READ THE HOMILY. </strong>Discuss the homily for the upcoming week in your classroom so that when students hear it on Sunday, they'll be familiar with it.<br /><br /><strong>SPIRIT TABLE. </strong>Have a special place in the classroom where students can go to spend quiet time in prayer. This table can be set up by a different student each week. Allow your students to be creative bringing some type of covering/cloth for the table, a special statue or holy card, rosary beads, or even a special family heirloom. Underneath the table, keep a spare box of items that can be used if a student forgets his/her items. Have the students gather at the Spirit Table each day for opening or closing prayers.<br /><br /><strong>HOLY CARDS. </strong>Mark significant events from the Catholic calendar by giving your students holy cards to collect. Make an album to keep them in (small 4 x 6 picture albums from A.C. Moore cost less than $1 each and hold holy cards nicely; holy cards can be purchased from Autom for $5 or $6 per 100).<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>PRAYER BOARD. </strong>Have a prayer board in the classroom where your students can add prayer intentions as they come up. This board can be placed near the Spirit Table.<br /><br /><strong>COMMIT EVERYTHING TO PRAYER. </strong>Allow your students to hear you say, "Let's commit this to prayer" or "Let's ask God what He wants us to do about this." Teach your students how to have every prayer answered by praying with expectancy (believing God will hear and answer the prayer) and praying "Thy Will Be Done." Teach them how to embrace "His Will" and to let go of their own. This will teach students a lesson to last a lifetime.<br /><br /><strong>CELEBRATE ANSWERED PRAYERS. </strong>Set aside some time each day/week to thank God for answered prayers. It's important to commit everything to prayer, but it's also important to thank God for hearing and answering our prayers.<br /><br /><strong>GRATITUDE JOURNALS. </strong>Have your students keep a gratitude journal where they must list three things each day they are thankful for. This is especially helpful for older students as they will become more aware, grateful and positive in their own lives.<br /><br /><strong>PRAYER PARTNERS. </strong>Teach your students the importance of prayer by assigning prayer partners at the beginning of the school year. This can be done in two ways. First, you can have each of your students pray for someone in your classroom. Second, you can choose people from your community or diocese (i.e. your parish priests, the bishop, a seminarian, someone homebound from your parish due to illness, etc.). Have your student write that person a letter explaining that he/she will be praying for him/her all year. The letter should explain that the student will be praying the rosary, offering small sacrifices, etc. The student should sign only their first name to the letter (for security). Mail the letter from the school address. Students will enjoy having a special prayer partner all year. Keep a list of these prayer partners so that as you learn of a need/intention, you can alert that student to pray.<br /><br /><strong>SAINT OF THE MONTH/WEEK.</strong> Divide your students into equal groups, one for each of the months from October through May. Ask each group to choose a "saint," designing a banner with pictures, facts and quotes about that saint. Allow each group to present the "Saint of the Month" each month during the school year, praying for that saint's intercession each day. Another idea is to create a "saint pack" for students to bring home for a week at a time. Your pack might include a small statue of that saint, a relic card with a stand, a journal for students to write in, a book or video about that saint, some facts on that saint, possibly a coloring sheet of that saint or some medals and string to make necklaces.<br /><br /><strong>PRAY THE ROSARY.</strong> Begin each day with a decade of the rosary. In a typical week, you will have prayed an entire rosary!<br /><br /><strong>HANDS CARD.</strong> Is someone in your parish or community in need of prayer? Have your students make this card. Use a large piece of oaktag. Fold it in half. Trace each student's hand on colored paper. Cut them out and have the students sign them. Glue them all over the outside and inside of the card. Find a picture of the Blessed Mother or Jesus with hands folded in prayer. Glue that to the inside of the card. On the outside of the card, write these words, "We put our hands together ..." and on the inside of the card, write these words, "... and prayed for you." Students will enjoy this fun project and you will reinforce the importance of prayer.<br /><br /><strong>KNEE MAIL.</strong> Break up your day by ringing a bell and announcing, "You've God Knee Mail." At that moment, students should stop everything they are doing and get on their knees with hands folded in prayer, eyes closed and listen ... listen for the voice of God ... listen with the "ear of their hearts." If students do not hear God's voice, allow them to simply be present with God and to thank Him for something at that moment. Remind them that we all have things to be thankful for and give them simple suggestions when you introduce this exercise ... "Thank you, God, for my knees that I can kneel" or "for my ears that I can hear." Help them to be thankful for things they may take for granted.<br /><br /><strong>7 GIFTS.</strong> Have 7 wrapped gifts visible in your classroom. Mark each gift with one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord). On the back of each of these gifts, explain what that gift means in words children can understand. In the course of the days and weeks of the school year, allow the students to "use" these gifts when needed, placing the actual gift on his/her desk until no longer needed. This exercise teaches children about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and that they are available to us at all times.<br /><br /><strong>THE BLESSING. </strong>Bless your students. Choose a time during the day or week that you simply place the sign of the cross over your students, one at a time, and offer a blessing. You can do this each day before they leave. Students will begin to ask for that blessing each day and will in turn bless others.Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-39521700585349421112008-11-01T13:54:00.000-07:002019-07-04T04:43:27.100-07:00Sandal Steps of the Saints ~ COMING SOON!<span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong>Sandal Steps of the Saints</strong></span><br />
<em>Eucharist Series - St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Padre Pio, St. John Paul II, and More</em><br />
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<strong>Brand New Program COMING SOON </strong>featuring puppets, story-telling and song. Watch for details (COMING SOON!) and to see which saints will be featured in this new presentation!<br />
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<strong>Sandal Steps of the Saints (</strong><em><strong>Eucharist Series)</strong> </em>will focus on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In sharing the <em>true</em> <em>story</em> of the Miracle of Bolsena, this presentation will focus on the very real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and will feature the lives of saints who were touched by the gift of the stigmata and had special Eucharistic devotions.<br />
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This presentation will leave students with an appreciation and an understanding of who Jesus is and why we show Him reverence.<br />
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Watch for details coming soon!<br />
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<br />Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-69887317575313197982008-11-01T13:16:00.000-07:002019-07-04T04:35:55.090-07:00Places I've Been<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342664012732668210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3qT4ifbvk8OuoXfSNChagf7D_ri_U9G1lSGAAn6ORVpUPvm7SxNzLcvuDJn6_I1TgZqXZ6NC7-kZjLXajRhxL5HC-tOhCXjW6oHhgqoNIthZnQaiSgCwyKyFkpWYfmYGXq8yWO7Ao5Y/s320/puppets2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 211px;" /><br />
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<strong>"Lord, take me where You want me to go.</strong></div>
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<strong>Let me meet who You want me to meet.</strong></div>
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<strong>Tell me what You want me to say.</strong></div>
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<strong>And keep me out of your way."</strong></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">~Father Mychal Judge</span></em></div>
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I have enjoyed visiting and speaking at churches, schools, clubs and CCD/PSR classes sharing God's message of love with children, teens, Catholic school teachers and adults. Below is a list of the places I have visited so far ... I look forward to seeing where God takes me next.<br />
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<strong>NEW JERSEY</strong><br />
Our Lady of the Assumption Church and School - Wood Ridge<br />
Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church - Little Falls<br />
St. Gregory the Great School - Hamilton Square<br />
St. Joseph’s School - East Rutherford<br />
St. Paul’s School - Ramsey<br />
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<b>NEW MEXICO</b><br />
St. Bonaventure Indian Mission School - Thoreau<br />
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<strong>NEW YORK</strong><br />
Barnes & Noble (Park Slope) - Brooklyn<br />
Malverne Public Library - Malverne (Long Island)<br />
St. Francis of Assisi Church - Manhattan<br />
St. Paul's Chapel - Manhattan<br />
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<strong>OHIO</strong><br />
St. Brendan School - North Olmsted<br />
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<strong>PENNSYLVANIA</strong>Barnes & Noble - Lancaster<br />
Borders - Lancaster<br />
Dutch Wonderland for Readers Jamboree Weekend - Lancaster<br />
Holy Name of Jesus School - Harrisburg<br />
Home School Group - Carlisle<br />
Kids for Christ Club, Our Lady of Lourdes Church - New Holland<br />
Lancaster Catholic High School - Lancaster<br />
Our Mother of Perpetual Help School -Ephrata<br />
Resurrection School - Lancaster<br />
Sacred Heart Church - Lancaster<br />
Sacred Heart Church (VBS) - Lancaster<br />
St. Anne School - Lancaster<br />
St. Columba School - Bloomsburg<br />
St. Francis Xavier School - Gettysburg<br />
St. Joseph School - Hanover<br />
St. Joseph School - Mechanicsburg<br />
St. Joseph the Worker School - Orefield<br />
St. Leo the Great PSR (Parish School of Religion) - Lancaster<br />
St. Leo the Great School - Lancaster<br />
St. Margaret Mary School - Harrisburg<br />
St. Patrick Church Religious Ed - York<br />
St. Patrick School -York<br />
St. Peter School - Elizabethtown<br />
St. Philip the Apostle Church - Lancaster<br />
St. Rose of Lima School - Thomasville<br />
St. Theresa School - New Cumberland<br />
Trinity Methodist Church - Lancaster<br />
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<strong>SOUTH CAROLINA</strong><br />
St. Anthony Church - GreenvilleKelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-80596082060810528302008-11-01T11:33:00.000-07:002010-02-08T12:09:14.251-08:00About Kelly Ann Lynch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPGofz95P9GsyE93HUwY3Lf2DBpcLBRmHJsauRwiGq9SYWBYSi348CCupSLCwtjmr908fz0Er4872_3jvcPFXhQwotK3620BbxpdCzxgHfCpVjX6bgdBb_NeN1tGGeB6LR-ZojMBfg6A/s1600-h/KellyGreen.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300886907778369570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPGofz95P9GsyE93HUwY3Lf2DBpcLBRmHJsauRwiGq9SYWBYSi348CCupSLCwtjmr908fz0Er4872_3jvcPFXhQwotK3620BbxpdCzxgHfCpVjX6bgdBb_NeN1tGGeB6LR-ZojMBfg6A/s320/KellyGreen.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#333333;">"The greatest gift I ever received was the gift of my faith."</span></strong><br /></span><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div>Kelly Ann Lynch was born, baptized and raised in the Catholic church. It is the place where she received her sacraments and the place she sought peace in times of great sorrow or joy. Kelly was fortunate to have loving parents who were her first teachers of the faith. Inspired by their love and commitment to God, each other, their family and others, Kelly received the founding principles for her own life. "Be grateful for all that you have been given," her parents taught her, "and be aware of the needs of others, seeking Christ in everyone you meet."<br /><br />The nearness of God's presence became very clear to Kelly as a young child. "God made even the tiniest seahorse in this sea," she told her sister one summer day. At that moment, a live seahorse appeared in the shallow ocean water in front of her. Today, Kelly shares that story with children, teens and adults in an effort to allow them to sense the very real presence of God in their own lives. </div><br /><div>Blessed with a Franciscan priest as a family friend, Kelly grew up aware of God's presence and learned to hear His voice in the stirring of her own heart.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy0hnWQbnpJLnU5D8ajPU0ER84luBZeFCoELclwknJMc9SzEOw1-naf-k3K_fCugv5vNvUJuhrLe4Nyyq8l-fcTIQgEHjpNpPUQqaIi2eS9qCpqvzqleLvQsVjsU6Ev2ZNCHfd1klDtU/s1600-h/Picture+002.jpg"></a><br />After attending her first retreat, entitled AWARE, Kelly became more aware of the gifts she had been given. She then began speaking to other teens on retreats where she assisted the Youth Minister. In talks entitled “Why am I afraid to tell you who I am?” and “Love is a decision,” Kelly opened her heart and soul, offering teens an opportunity to grow, share and unlock the barriers that prevented them from becoming all they were called to be. Her closest friend today is one she met on that first retreat.<br /><br />Whether she was walking door to door collecting money for baby harp seals, the March of Dimes, or the National Right to Life Foundation, Kelly found her calling in speaking on behalf of the needs of others. And when she learned of a nearby nursing home with residents who rarely received visitors, Kelly began a project to fill stockings for them at Christmas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW6da0lG22fuOwcab_hqeNnuyt6bbVJKx6_seDsib7Q5mkT-2X-Ap8TR15q3C_3ZiZ5LE1vgEI9Bc6N1R_EXtXDZccyxDOgAKmiMMR2S0cufxQVZGXlnF98Yli9_ekLIQl8g9uWgCG3c/s1600-h/ClownCloseUp.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJUUCypx-BeTX6RvtW6nbtDthnHtCiaYws0ozdaYZLykucXRpwkcCsKqZTNm620CQibnATjNQvxeL_FxDcU5R3oNBLJlEbTbb-024nyk5jdZ9DQY4bmvwxCLcdJcradGxVfzt5cWxm5s/s1600-h/ClownCloseUp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 251px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300888938222565138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJUUCypx-BeTX6RvtW6nbtDthnHtCiaYws0ozdaYZLykucXRpwkcCsKqZTNm620CQibnATjNQvxeL_FxDcU5R3oNBLJlEbTbb-024nyk5jdZ9DQY4bmvwxCLcdJcradGxVfzt5cWxm5s/s320/ClownCloseUp.jpg" /></a><br />As a candy striper at a local hospital, Kelly discovered how a simple smile could change someone's day. A stirring in her heart inspired a "Clown Ministry." As "Kelby the Klown," Kelly visited nursing homes and hospitals offering smiles, balloons, love and cheer.<br /><br />Kelly's lifelong love for children was evident by a calendar filled with scheduled babysitting dates up to a year in advance! She spent much of her time surrounded by children. When her parish priest allowed her to teach CCD (as the youngest teacher he'd ever had), she was elated. "Jesus loves people through people who care," she taught her first grade students, who decorated cups to collect money for the poor.<br /><br />Though life took her many places, Kelly was always aware of God's presence. When her own daughter was born and needed a liver transplant to survive, Kelly shared her story with others in an effort to raise awareness for organ donation and the ongoing shortage of organ donors. She appeared on TV shows and spoke at conventions, shari<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMBLUIxwtlwKI04XeeBowE557U_BjqYjooGV0-gkTdmnGIJMp3nDPzgS6Gw7DZ81OuScJk0kdGWF2XaGwYmjrJES1Q0qb2gxTg-sL-AzRpoy4x1kTtktryf14T8oT1OWsvGL9poH5O5Y/s1600-h/Picture.jpg"></a>ng the difficult story of her daughter's illness and the events that followed. Kelly's husband left her the day after her daughter's surgery, and it was her faith in God that sustained her. After returning home, Kelly's parish priest assisted her with an annulment. She remained a single mother for several years before meeting her new husband. And life took them to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they still live today, and where Kelly runs a children's rosary group to teach children how important their prayers are to God.<br /><br />After losing close family friend, Father Mychal Judge, on September 11, 2001, Kelly was inspired to share his story with others. By the grace of God and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Kelly became the author of the best-selling and award-winning book, He Said Yes. Upon the book's release in September 2007, Kelly began speaking to students all over New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Sharing her own personal stories, using puppets, skits, songs and activities, Kelly developed a unique, spirit-driven, biblically-based presentation that today delights students from pre-school through high-school and adults of all denominations. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>On October 11, 2009, Kelly was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order where she lives out her Catholic faith and strives to bring life to the gospel and the gospel to life. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-69849089769958531662008-11-01T08:05:00.000-07:002009-01-12T15:17:57.050-08:00Just for Teens<strong><span style="color:#993399;">Teens ~</span></strong> <span style="color:#993399;">If you could name or rename one thing after you, what would it be? Life is good, but it isn't always easy, especially for teens today. Think about what you would like named after you. A beach house? A clothing line? A planet? A national park? You'll be surprised what your answers tell about you! Click "Post a Comment" below to share your ideas. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Living with the Holy Spirit as your guide ~ </strong>begin each day with the Holy Spirit at your side. Ask Him to walk with you, think with you, be with you, guide you. Give Him a special name. I call upon my friend, Holy every day. "Holy," I say, "help me find the right words," or "Holy, guide me to the right people," or "Holy, help me to make the right decision." It's amazing when you let the Holy Spirit be your guide! Try it ... you have nothing to lose (and everything to gain)!</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Think about it ~ </strong>It isn't easy to put others before ourselves, but I always ask myself this question: "What if it were me?" <strong> </strong></span> <br /><p><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>What will you do today?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iA8zvMmZ5F73oKLykQ4hFN7f_A48yP9SrLFYySpZl7tm-m2gI0DWsw-ci5o9Vf4Uxq878t19kUHt22Ecntqx7nQLML886WuQvm154LJ0BpHFGYM4OHlekAyjlB4AERBeSBtCGG6Ve2c/s1600-h/Mural+190.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290548741484651426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iA8zvMmZ5F73oKLykQ4hFN7f_A48yP9SrLFYySpZl7tm-m2gI0DWsw-ci5o9Vf4Uxq878t19kUHt22Ecntqx7nQLML886WuQvm154LJ0BpHFGYM4OHlekAyjlB4AERBeSBtCGG6Ve2c/s200/Mural+190.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>"Charity begins today. Today somebody is suffering, today somebody is in the street, today somebody is hungry. Our work is for today, yesterday has gone, tomorrow has not yet come - today we have only today to make Jesus known, loved, served, fed, clothed, sheltered. Today - do not wait for for tomorrow. Tomorrow might not come. Tomorrow we will not have them if we do not feed them today." ~ Bl. Mother Teresa</em></span></p><br /><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>Here's what other teens are saying ...</strong><br /><br />"I think a color named after me would be really cool." ~ Kristen<br /><br />"I would like a university named after me." ~ David<br /><br />"I think it would be neat to have a fabulous make-up collection with my name on it consisting of bright eye-catching colors." ~ Faith<br /><br />"If I were to have something named after me, it would be a baseball field." ~ Ryan<br /><br />“Your stories inspire me to keep going in life even when things get hard.” ~ Kristen<br /><br />“Your sincerity and compassion for others was truly inspirational. I really want to try to take your advice to let the Holy Spirit work through me! ~ Tom<br /><br />“My favorite part of your story was the seahorse story. Another one of my favorite parts was the foot and hand trick!” ~ Madeline<br /><br />“I really enjoyed hearing your stories about God showing His signs to people and just watching you passionately talk about Him. I hope that one day God will want to show me a sign and change me the way He changed you when He showed you yours.” ~ Faith<br /><br />“One thing that you talked about was how you made an effort to be nice to that girl who was an outcast at your school. That really spoke to me because I often see people that are loners and seem like they need a friend. I’m never brave enough to actually approach them, but your speech inspired me to try and make a difference in someone’s life.” ~ Samantha<br /><br />“Please continue telling your stories to high school students around the area!” ~ Rebecca<br /><br />“I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you. I can really relate to how you said that some people are different, but in a good way. I think I can see some of that in myself as well as some other people around me. I hope that by hearing your story I will be inspired to do good with my life in the future.” ~ Ray </span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#993399;"></p></span>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-34831338897576857192008-11-01T06:42:00.000-07:002017-07-04T04:05:12.511-07:00Marian Program<div align="center">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Sandal Steps of Mary</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340929931418759362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek_Z-9DUrCkzuQTcjJ5lNlVkkvQB2VMoUjd_YOkTKoXUG2jPntp9SFVvUrcfyvvV03PQSg6B5ybtcln6EICOOYz13q64KSQrWMizAn867VnVD5FuztEehQ0ojdIj30nPud05EjCBRK2k/s200/Photo+002.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /><br />A special Marian program, entitled "Sandal Steps of Mary," will offer students the opportunity to learn about Our Blessed Mother, her apparitions, and her important role in the church today. It will also explain the power of the rosary in language children can understand.<br /><br />Mary said, "Yes," when she was asked to be the Mother of God, and saying "Yes" is the foundation for this program. By learning about others who said, "Yes," children will be encouraged to say "Yes" to God in their own lives.<br /><br />Using puppets, Kelly will share stories of Our Lady's visits to Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima, detailing how Juan Diego, Bernadette and the three children of Fatima (Lucia, Jacinta and Francesco) all said, "Yes" when they were visited by the mother of God. Showing a picture of Juan Diego's tilma and holy water from Lourdes, she will challenge the students to believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Mary has appeared on earth.<br /><br />Kelly will tell the children, "There are three things I will never be without," before showing them a rosary, a brown scapular and a miraculous medal. She will then share the stories of how these special gifts came to us through Sts. Dominic, Simon Stock, and Catherine Laboure.<br /><br />Sharing the story of a prayer answered by her 5 year-old daughter and the beliefs of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Kelly will ensure the children that their prayers are very powerful to God the Father.<br /><br />Kelly will talk to the children about what it means to consecrate their lives to the Blessed Mother and will offer a special prayer of consecration with them. She will also teach them the poem, "Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue," with special hand motions.<br /><br />All children will receive a holy card and a handout (4 pages of fun, ready-to-do activities). Children in upper grades (5th or 6th through 8th) will participate in an interactive and fun wedding skit. At the program's conclusion, Kelly will bless each of the children with holy water from Lourdes, France, while encouraging them to present their personal petition at that moment to Jesus, through Mary.</span><br />
<strong>Sandal Steps of Mary Puppet Friends</strong><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388688772732796258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgIO87erishJQBssUZfXvmKK5vMONz4SBtdPgj-bfMgHqDY4sPGT3TLda1xgGhsLejxDUc1q3NLcmwCWDl4dQvdU4mJ-59q9ELtIKrdP6tzkZ4JozMvnYzGjaakVg8w7sFa6qn9g_vI8/s320/006.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> <br />
<strong>What Others Are Saying About Sandal Steps of Mary</strong><br />
"I was inspired by all the things I learned about miracles. I liked hearing about how Mary appeared to Bernadette and told her to dig in the dirt, and then a spring formed." <em>- Rebecca, 8 years old (student)</em><br />
"I really liked how we learned about the miracle of Fatima. Mrs. Lynch chose students to act out the story with cute puppets." <em>- Rosalee, 10 years old (student)</em><br />
"I was reminded of three very important tools Mary gave me to help keep me close to Christ ... my rosary, my scapular, and my miraculous medal. What an excellent message for children and adults alike!" <em>- Jen, 37 years old (parent, St. Patrick's School, York, PA)</em><br />
"Wonderful presentation! A message students truly need to hear." <em>- Teacher, St. Gregory the Great School, Hamilton, NJ</em>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372262213914562199.post-21340297830026524472008-11-01T04:42:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:38:30.934-07:00Home Sweet Home Retreat<div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Where one man's cardboard box is another man's "Home Sweet Home"</strong></span></em><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340930461755893858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNMHBx-OlgmiwOHfhSUf9-Cr2Fa8k2f5cizbj6yxUsvb36ZvuFm84ke2-tQ1B5FRwBRUEbC8-c0P1W0mytUV5nD4XwPT2f3-a7LiPAdruid8byqOuGnXi88v2E59b_rMfX060pyacGGQ/s200/HomeSweetHome+419.jpg" border="0" /><br />This retreat is currently being offered as an all day retreat for <strong>high school students only (grades 9-12). </strong>In a world where so many are focused inward, this retreat encourages students to focus outward to the needs of those in their midst. By becoming aware of the needs of others ~ such as parents, siblings or friends ~ students will see how simple it is to make a difference. "In every moment of your life, an opportunity awaits you to make a difference in the life of another," Kelly Ann Lynch will tell them after sharing stories from her own teen years and the lives she touched and those that touched hers.<br /><br />Kelly will explain how losing lifelong family friend, Father Mychal Judge, in the September 11 terrorist attacks changed her life forever. She will go on to tell how her 11 year-old daughter, Shannon, discovered a unique way to remember Father Mychal ~ by collecting socks for the homeless. In a simple project, Kelly's daughter found a way for her family to grieve ~ by helping others. Kelly will share some of the special stories of men, women and children she met in shelters, soup kitchens, and on the St. Francis of Assisi Breadline in New York City. She will show the students a picture of a man sleeping in a cardboard box and challenge them to respond and to act ~ "What would you do if that were your father or brother?"<br /><br />Members from the National Coalition for the Homeless (Washington, DC) will present top speakers from their Speakers Panel at this retreat and will captivate the teens with their heartwarming, sad, funny and very practical stories.<br /><br />Students will participate in small group sharing, the "Anita Home Flat Friend Project" (creating a man or woman, giving him/her an identity and a story) and walk on a Breadline for lunch. The retreat will conclude with a special prayer service focusing on twelve men and women who have answered God's call to service and will encourage the teens to do the same.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Chaperones and Fees</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Chaperones (1 per 10 students) and a team of adults (6-8) from your school or parish are needed for this retreat. In addition to Kelly Ann Lynch's fees, please note that this <strong>retreat has additional fees</strong> [National Coalition for the Homeless speakers' stipends ($300), travel expenses and hotel if needed (from Washington DC), Breadline lunch supplies, "Anita Home Flat Friend Project" supplies].<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Created by Shannon Hickey, "Home Sweet Home" began in 2005 as an overnight retreat. Students in grades 9-12 slept outside in cardboard boxes to raise funds and awareness for the plight of the homeless and poor. "Home Sweet Home" (overnight retreat) is offered annually at St. Leo the Great, Lancaster, PA.</span></em>Kelly Ann Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653614472164355283noreply@blogger.com0