THE COLUMBIAN SQUIRE ROSES…………………………
 
The Columbian Squire Roses program was begun in order to give young women a better opportunity in life -- a chance to receive the leadership training and the spiritual and moral guidance they will need in order to succeed in current and future choices and goals. The following information will provide you with information on the Squire Roses, a national and international award recognized Circle
 
Our meetings are once a month (usually the third Sunday) except for December, July and August. Our membership comes from a variety of grade school, junior high schools and senior high schools. Members are active in high school and travel sport teams, national honor society, various high school music and theater activities, debate teams, and other school and outside activities. Some are or have been in Girl Scouts, Youth Ministry, and other church programs. Yes their plates are full but somehow they can handle the Squire Roses activities and the projects they lead. They are college bound. Some of the universities they have or are attending are: UVA, James Madison, Virginia Tech, Mary Washington U, GMU, William and Mary, American U, GWU, Duke U, VMI, U of Villanova, Wellesley U, Amherst C, Wellesley U., Northwestern U, U of Notre Dame, U of North Carolina, etc.
 
First, the Squire Roses is Catholic young women's organization that is patterned after the Columbian Squires and college sororities. Membership is restricted to young Catholic women ages 10 to 19 years of age.
 
Second, a Squire Roses Circle is designed to run both by and for young women. If a Squire Rose is to be a leader, she must, to the degree that she is able, be given the opportunity to lead. Therefore, each Squire Rose will be an officer or Chair or Co Chair of a program and are expected to run at least one program or event each year. In the Squire Roses, she is given this and other LEADERSHIP opportunities.
 
Third, the purpose of the Squire Roses program is to develop young women as Catholic leaders who understand their religion, who have a strong commitment to the church and who are ready, willing and capable of living their lives in the manner of the youth Christ.
 
Fourth, the Squire Roses Circle is a service and civic organization that provides for over 1000 hours per year to support local, national and international programs and projects for prolife, children, people in need, those in military service, church organizations and others in need. Squire Roses Circles raise funds and donated from $1000 to over $5000 to charities and church (local and foreign) each year. The St. Mary's Squire Roses Circle in conjunction with the Squires' Circle has donated $500 to a specific seminarian each of the past five years. The also assist the Knights of Columbus Councils in their programs each year. We always welcome others who wish to support us in this effort.
 
Fifth, the Squire Roses Circle is an athletic team, a youth group, a social club, a cultural and civic improvement association, a management training program, and a spiritual awareness course all rolled into one. The Columbian Squire Roses program is well rounded, because our Church and nation need well-rounded women who can lead.
 
Sixth, Our Counselors are Catholic women who wish to act as mentors and advisors as requested by our Officers and Committee Chairs and Co Chairs.  Each year a woman is assigned as the Chief Squire Rose Counselor or Co Counselor.  A priest from our local church is our Father Prior and a member of the Knights of Columbus is the interface between the Squire Roses and Knights and represents the Squire Roses and Squires at the Knights meetings.
 
ORIGIN OF THE COLUMBIAN SQUIRE ROSES
 
The following is how we arrived at our name. A name was needed to attract young women that they could relate to in a positive way. No one saint or famous woman of the church emerged. The one word that came up in a great number of discussions with young and older women and even men was the word ROSE. It was a part of many women's investitures and the one flower that is given to a special person or for a special occasion. It is a symbol of womanhood in many countries and is our country's national flower. Two masses each year are given in recognition of the Rose. In 1960 in "Operation Rose" a sterling silver rose was brought from Canada through out the United States of America to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadeloupe and given to Pope John XXVIII. It was a "spiritual Bouquet" promoting the cause of sainthood and was permanently ensconced. Since then many other references are made to the Rose. There is even a Squire Rose shrub, a species of the Knight Rose family. The name of the young women's Catholic leadership circle was born.
 
The Squire Roses have their own Guides, medallion, formal jewels (red), installation and investiture material, shirts and hats, and other material and certificates. Knights of Columbus protocol is followed as it is with the Squires. The Squire Roses have other Circles in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Circles starting in California and New Jersey. Similar organizations are located in Canada, Mexico, Philippines, and Missouri.
 
If you wish additional information on joining the Columbian Squire Roses or starting a Columbian Squire Roses Circle contact Mr. Russell DeRose, Knights of Columbus interface and Squire Rose Counselor, (telephone 703-743-1171 and email address, jardr@comcast.net). 

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