Presentations/Videos

The Catholic Marketing Network International Trade Show – August 2018

See how they teach Prince George the ABCs, not A for Apple.

    

June 1, 2025 Ascension Sunday:  Presentation

Presentation At Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Montclair, NJ

I was invited to speak about the Brown Scapular during fellowship at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. The Ascension is a VERY special day for me!! As mentioned in my other blogs my presentations usually fall on a Carmelite Feast Day or one of the Feast Days of the Blessed Mother. The Feast of the Ascension is very dear to my heart because this is the day (unbeknownst to me) I received my first copy of my coloring book from my publisher in the mail. WOW!!

It brought tears to my eyes when I received it, and such a confirmation I was doing God’s Will and that He was pleased with me. 

There is another reason this day is so very special to me. This is the day I went back to confession (after my conversion) 25 years ago. Again, not planned to go on this day it just happened to be the Ascension when the GOOD LORD was calling me there. God is so good and HIS timing is always perfect and FULL of mercy!!!!

The fellowship was well attended and the parishioners were very engaged while I was speaking. Many questions were asked at the end of the presentation, and everyone received a Brown Scapular/Rosary packet that Fr. John blessed. In addition, I handed out a Rosary flyer with: The 15 promises you receive from the Blessed Mother when you pray the Rosary, WHY to pray the Rosary, and the Five First Saturday Devotion. Several of my coloring books were purchased for their CCD class, and parishioners purchased as well for family members.

Thanks be to GOD for another blessed presentation!!!!! May He always lead and guide me into HIS HOLY WILL!!

Many Blessings,
Francine

Photo taken from the Ascension Sunday Presentation
Image of Francine and Fr. John after Francine's presentation on Ascension Sunday 2025
Image from the Lenten Lecture series

April 7 & 14, 2025: Presentation

 

Presentation At Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Branchville, NJ 

Lenten Lecture Garden of Grace Marion Consecration/Brown Scapular

I was blessed to be part of Father Phil’s Lenten Lecture’s series this year. Much to my surprise I was abundantly blessed to be speaking while the Most Blessed Sacrament was exposed. What a gift!!!!

The first lecture was on April 7th.  I spoke all about the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Included in that talk was the history, benefits and promises you get when wearing the Brown Scapular, as well as some miracles.

The second lecture was on April 14th.  I spoke about the powerful Rosary. Included in that talk were the promises given by Our Lady when we pray the Rosary, history of the Rosary, Biblical symbolisms and some miracles. In addition, I spoke about the Five First Saturday devotion and how it relates to the Rosary, Brown Scapular and the Fatima Message. I ended the lecture with the attendees listening to an audio of Father Howard Rafferty, O’Carm talk about his experience when he interviewed Sister Lucia (one of the Fatima children) on August 15, 1950.

Both lectures were well attended and everyone was enrolled into the Carmelite Family Confraternity of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Holy Thursday. Another blessing!!!!!

For more information about these lectures please visit my blogs: The Brown Scapular Explained by a Secular Discalced Carmelite, OCDS, The POWERFUL ROSARY, How the Five First Saturday Devotion Relates to the Rosary, the Brown Scapular and the Fatima Message.

March 9 & 16, 2025: Presentation

Presentation At St. Mary’s Parish in Denville, NJ

I was invited to present the Brown Scapular and the Holy Rosary devotions to St. Mary’s Parish in Denville, NJ. I did two presentations on March 9th and the 16th to grades 1, 3-8. All four presentations were well attended, and parents as well as children were extremely engaged listening to my presentation about these two beautiful gifts Our Lady has given us.

Much to my surprise the Knights of Columbus were promoting the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima for families to take home and pray the Holy Rosary as a family. The Blessed Mother had this all planned. The Director of Formation did not know either that the statue was going to be at the parish at the time of my presentations. At the end of ALL my presentations I always give them a homework assignment which is to pray the Holy Rosary with their families! Remember there are NO coincidences.

My presentation usually falls on a Carmelite feast day or a day dedicated to the Blessed Mother. When I did a google search for Our Lady’s feast days, March 9th came up. It turns out that Our Lady of Savigny (France) in the Diocese of Avranches (in the year 1112) established a foundation called the Abbey of Savigny in honor of the Blessed Mother. This day commemorates the blessed Vitalis, hermit, who was the first abbot. During the time that blessed Vitalis was abbot of Savigny, a monk who had a deep devotion to Our Lady was saying Mass one day, in honor of Our Lady, beheld the Virgin’s hand while making the sign of the cross over the chalice at the consecration of the wine. Suddenly a sweet fragrance surrounded him. This sweet fragrance of the Blessed Mother was often present while saying Mass and numerous miracles have taken place there.

At the end of each presentation Father Stephen enrolled everyone into the Brown Scapular. Another successful presentation because of the intercession of Our Blessed Mother!!! I could not do it without her OR her son Jesus Christ!!

Please read more about this in my blog and watch my YouTube video here.

Francine and Fr. Stephen at a presentation at St. Mary’s Parish in Denville, NJ
Family Rosary poster about a pilgrim statue at St. Mary’s Parish in Denville, NJ
Francine Calabrese shares the the little brown scapular coloring book

December 15, 2024: Presentation

Presentation At Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Branchville, NJ

The children were very engaged and interested in learning about the Brown Scapular. I also spoke about the importance of praying the Holy Rosary daily, especially with their parents. I stressed that the Brown Scapular has no power in it. There are many miracles attached to the Brown Scapular. These miracles happened because people had deep faith in God and the Blessed Mother. Please read more about this in my blog and watch my YouTube video with Father Phil Tangorra here.

January 21, 2024: Presentation

Presentation At Our Lady Consolation Parish

Another blessed presentation teaching at Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Wayne, NJ about the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and all the benefits received by wearing it. The 3rd and 4th graders were very engaged and asked many questions during the presentation. As part of my presentation, I teach the children about Our Lady of Fatima’s message about doing small sacrifices in order to help others. I gave them an example of giving up a snack after school to offer a sacrifice to GOD which pleases Him so much.  Please read our blog post on this topic here!

Another presentation at our lady consolation parish
family faith formation is on the rise

December 10, 2023: Presentation on the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto & The Vigil of St. Maria Maravillas de Jesus (Carmelite Saint)

I gave a presentation to the First Holy Communicants at Our Lady of Queen of Peace Parish, Branchville, NJ – my parish. 😊

Father Phil invested the children after my presentation using my coloring book which has the investment formula in the back of The Little Brown Scapular Coloring Book. All the children received a coloring book plus a Brown Scapular and a glow in the dark Rosary.  Please visit my blog post to read more about this presentation.

November 19, 2023 Presentation

On November 19, 2023 (the Feast of St. Raphael Kalinowski) I gave a presentation to all the children at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Paterson, NJ religious education program. The grades and ages varied from 2nd through 9th which included the Confirmation candidates. You may read more on this topic in our recent blog post.

family faith formation is on the rise

Nov. 8, 2023 (the Feast of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, (1880-1906) (Carmelite Saint)

I gave a presentation to Family Faith Formation at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Lake Hopatcong, NJ on Nov. 8, 2023. In spite of all the attacks from the devil leading up to this presentation, it was a success. This was the second year I was invited back to speak. Thanks be to GOD!  Please visit this page here to read more on the presentation.

In October, the Divine Mercy Academy in Rockaway, NJ embraced the spirit of the Holy Rosary. On October 30, 2023, I had the privilege of delivering two insightful presentations to students from grades 1 to 4 and 5 to 8. Tailoring my talk to the theme of the day, I centered the discussions around the Joyful Mysteries, delving into the profound symbolism encapsulated in each decade. You can read more on this topic here.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentation given to St. Therese School, Succasunna, NJ, January 31, 2017 Pre K – 8th Grade. Father Marc Mancini enrolled 217 children and faculty into the Brown Scapular.

Brown Scapular and Rosary presentations were given to the 2nd and 3rd grade Faith Formation classes on Feb. 9, 2020. Father Philip-Michael Tangorra, pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Branchville, NJ enrolled twenty children into the Scapular Confraternity during the Children’s Mass.

The children’s names were sent to the Carmelite Monastery of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Morristown, NJ and will be prayed for by the nuns.

Twenty of The little Brown Scapular coloring books plus Brown Scapulars and Glow in the Dark Rosaries were donated to the children from The little Brown Scapular Apostolate.

Brown Scapular presentation was given to the 9th and 10th grade Confirmation Faith Formation classes and their parents on Feb. 23, 2020 at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church, Cedar Knolls, NJ.

The little Brown Scapular Apostolate donated 162 Brown Scapulars and The Knights of Columbus, New Haven, CT donated Rosary beads. Father Jhon Madrid, Parochial Vicar enrolled 162 attendees into the Brown Scapular Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel, Morristown, NJ and will be prayed for by the nuns.

The Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary Presentations were given to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Wayne, NJ – January 26-28, 2020 to the 2nd – 5th Grade Faith Formation classes. The parish provided 118 coloring books with Scapulars to the children. The little Brown Scapular Apostolate donated Glow in the Dark Rosaries to the children.

Brown Scapular presentation given to Our Lady Queen of Peace, Branchville, NJ, February 10, 2018 – 2nd Grade Faith Formation Class. Deacon Dulibber Gonzalez enrolled 12 children into the Brown Scapular and the coloring books were donated to the children.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentations given to Regina Angelorum Academy, Admore, PA, October 15, 2018 (Feast of St. Teresa of Avila). The Academy provided the coloring books to the children.

Brown Scapular presentations given to Faith Formation classes at St. James of the Marches Parish, Totowa, NJ, on April 28, 2019 (Divine Mercy Sunday) and to the 2nd Grade Class at the Academy of St. James of the Marches on April 29, 2019. Fifty-five Brown Scapulars of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel were donated to the children.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentations given to St. Elizabeth Nursery and Montessori School, Parsippany, NJ, on June 6, 2019 Grade 1st-6th. Father Francis Kelly enrolled 90 children and 14 teachers into the Brown Scapular. Brown Scapulars of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Rosaries were donated to the children and the faculty.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentation given to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, Verona, NJ, to the 2nd Grade class on June 3, 2019. Eighteen Brown Scapulars of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Rosaries were donated to the children.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentation given to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Wayne, NJ, March 27, 2017 and January 22, 2018 4th and 5th Grade Faith Formation classes. The parish provided the coloring books to the children.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentation given to Divine Mercy Academy, Rockaway, NJ, May 22, 2017 Pre K-8th Grade. Father Marcin Michalowski enrolled 247 students and faculty into the Brown Scapular.

Brown Scapular presentation given to Our Lady Queen of Peace, Branchville, NJ, August 2016 – Summer Catholic Camp. Father Ed Rama enrolled 15 children and adults into the Brown Scapular.

Brown Scapular presentation given to the Roses Club for Young Women of Grace, St. Therese Parish, Succasunna, NJ, November 16, 2016. Father Marc Mancini enrolled 13 children and many adults into the Brown Scapular and parents purchased the coloring books for children.

Brown Scapular presentation given to Our Lady Queen of Peace, Branchville, NJ, November 5, 2016 3rd Grade Faith Formation class. Father Ed Rama enrolled 8 children and many adults into the Brown Scapular and the coloring books were donated to children.

Brown Scapular and Holy Rosary presentation given to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Wayne, NJ, January 7 and 8, 2019 4th-6th Grade Faith Formation classes. The parish provided the coloring books to the children.