Roses, roses, and more roses – about 750 to be exact! The roses were picked up

2 days before the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was on March 21, 2025 in St.

Paul, MN. There were supposed to only be bouquets of roses, but they had

many other filler flowers in the bouquets with them.

Weeks and even days earlier, the roses had been ordered, flower tubes had been

ordered. Labels had been purchased, designed, printed, and put on the rose

tubes (not without a hick-up or two… or maybe three!). The cart, which we

needed because this was a walking parade, was ordered and received and then

reordered and received because the first one had a defective wheel. Plastic

containers the roses would be in were purchased and tested to see which sizes

worked in the cart and which didn’t. Test tube holders and BBQ squeeze bottles

were purchased to help with putting the water into the flower tubes. Finally, we

had everything we needed for the roses for the parade.

Gathering a small army of people on Sunday, just one day before the parade, we

had to get the roses ready for distribution to those who would be blessed to

receive one at the parade. There were 10 of us who took the bouquets apart,

filled the flower tubes and put the tubes on the flowers. With 10 people, the

work surprisingly went quickly and a mere 3 hours later, we were finished (one

or two stayed later to decorate the platform with 5 dozen fresh roses)! We then

were able to share camaraderie and friendship along with a delicious

homemade lunch! All of us getting to know one another better, while all sharing

in the goal of giving roses to people we don’t know in a parade; and in that

small gesture, hoping that those who received a rose, would be open to know

the love of Jesus and our Blessed Mother.

Have you experienced the power of a simple act of kindness? Share your stories in the comments below! And if you were at the St. Patrick’s Day parade 2025, we would love to hear your experiences.