Sun chat Nov 10- film “light of Love: What were some of the works you saw the sisters doing in this film? In what ways did the sisters fulfill these roles in a different way than a layperson? One can see from the lives of these five sisters that community life is an essential element in the consecrated religious life. Why do you think that community life is important? One sister shared that, “There is so much joy in it that I probably did not think that way when I first entered… it’s this joy of serving Jesus and of serving the Church.” What do you think is the source of the sisters’ joy and how did you see that joy carry through in each sister during the film?
K (guest): Yes I watched the video – it was great.
Nov 10 2013, 7:26 PM
At: I have watched the video many times
SrSusan (guest): Uplifting!
A: loved it
SrSusan (guest): We hoped to do two weeks-one on each video. Do you think that’s overkill?
At: watched both. not overkill
K): No, I think videos are very good.
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SrSusan (guest): I was also taken with their “professionalism” and the work that they do.
A: I really liked that part also
SrSusan (guest): There is a real distinction in my mind between apostolic Sisters and cloistered ones in that we can be, but don’t necessarily have to be, professionals, in the cloister
SrSusan (guest): At least in this community I should add
SrSusan (guest): I appreciated their so lively spirits!
Vk: I love that there are so many different ways to be vowed religious
K (guest): There joy and fulfillment really impressed me.
A: me too
: yes K- they were so filled with love and joy!
B (guest): i would love to join the chat because I absolutely loved this film but unfortunately my uni commitments doesn’t permit the time. I pray that you have a wonderful discussion tonight. If you get a chance could you please pray for me as i have an exam tomorrow and an essay due on the 14th which is a big cross at the moment. God Bless, in the hearts of Jesus and Mary
V: And, of course, the same is true of being Visitandine. So many different ways, the same spirit, but different ways of being.
K (guest): I think one said that the giving of oneself (yielding) leads to the joy.
A: like the giving of ones self in marriage
Nov 10 2013, 7:37 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes to both- We’re blessed in the USA as Visitandines to have had the charism develop with variety, and yes, self-giving is a joy.
SrSusan (guest): They also seemed like balanced, healthy individuals too.
Nov 10 2013, 7:37 PM
K (guest): Yes,so much like marriage A.
, 7:38 PM
V: yes, SSM
A: Yes Sister. They seemed like women on a mission
K (guest): The balance stemming from the pray life as the center?
Nov 10 2013, 7:39 PM
SrSusan (guest): That’s a good insight Alice, on a mission!
SrSusan (guest): Yes they were portrayed with a solid prayer life and a balanced outreach.
V: I’m sure you are right, SSM. For depth and for variety of ways of being vowed religious.
SrSusan (guest): They were well spoken and could articulate their inner souls well in almost a matter of fact way, but very convincing; coming from the heart
A: Yes Sister, It probably would be different to view really quiet women
V: LOL
Nov 10 2013, 7:42 PM
K (guest): Videos like this are so powerful in reaching todays young people (and us too).
SrSusan (guest): Yes- I sent it to my 15 year old niece- don’t know if she’ll watch it- not for her to be a nun but to see women living their faith
A: what a difference from the strict nuns I knew in Catholic School
K (guest): I showed a couple of videos to JH students during Vocations awareness week last year and their reactions were beautiful.
Nov 10 2013, 7:43 PM
SrSusan (guest): Hmnn, interesting point
SrSusan (guest): I had strict nuns too but I always knew they loved us kids
V: interesting, too, to “compare” it to women from other faith traditions and how their faith informs their lives, too
Nov 10 2013, 7:44 PM
A: I think it is a good thing to see the Sisters as happy and fulfilled and active
K (guest): Yes, when a young mother found out that I was discerning religious life, she said “don’t be like the nuns I had in school”
I have also run across several men, who said the nuns were tough but they made a real difference for the good in their life.
A: haha K I think many people say that!
Nov 10 2013, 7:45 PM
SrSusan (guest): I think the “shine” in the faces of all people who follow their faith seriously is something to behold- in other traditions as well
V: I agree, SSM.
Nov 10 2013, 7:46 PM
A: I felt their love for Jesus
K (guest): The strictness (order) is important, but more important is the love.
Nov 10 2013, 7:46 PM
SrSusan (guest): They were right- told us education would get us “out of the neighborhood” and it did for many
A: and the discipline of keeping us quiet in church was needed
Nov 10 2013, 7:48 PM
K(guest): At one point, as a teacher, I started praying that I would come to love them more than try to control them.
Nov 10 2013, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (guest): Definitely the Sisters portrayed had a deep love for Jesus and that’s another benefit of showing this to young people- or of any age.
V: Have any of you read “Bernie Becomes a Nun”? Not about the Visitation, of course, but very interesting
Nov 10 2013, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (guest): Did not hear of it
A: have not
K (guest): no I have not
V: http://www.amazon.com/Bernie-Becomes-Nun-Maria-del/dp/B0007E2CZ0
A: thank you
V One of my fav books that I ALMOST stole from the library, I loved it so much. I didn’t but someone else did later. What a thing to do with a book about becoming a nun!
A: LOL
SrSusan (guest): Did you read it recently or years ago?
Am: Eighth grade\ great bunch of kids. I’m trying to teach them the Salve Regina for their youth mass
When I was in the March in Wash., there was a group of rough looking young men from the big city carrying a banner of Our Lady and singing it. it was wonderful
SrSusan (guest): It’s great singing the Salve Regina to our Mother in a darkened choir with just one light shining.
V: I read it years ago, SSM. Would love to read it again. I highly recommend it to any woman considering vowed life, esp as a missionary
K(guest): Singing it with other daughters of our Mother – ah!
V: That’s how I remember singing it at the Federal Way Visitation. <3
Nov 10 2013, 7:57 PM
Am: I told them how it was written by Blessed Herman the Cripple. They loved that
Nov 10 2013, 7:58 PM
Am: He also wrote the Alma Redemptoris Mater
Nov 10 2013, 7:59 PM
K (guest): Oh, I’m so sorry. The Salva Regina of course.
Am: Are we talking about the Sacred Heart?
Nov 10 2013, 8:01 PM
K (guest): Always!
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V: I finally got Wendy Wright’s book HEART SPEAKS TO HEART. Has/is anyone else reading that?
Am: I’d love to
V: what did the nunabes think of Light of Love, SSM?
A: it was interesting to me how the Sisters all had different jobs- healthcare, teaching and the food bank
Nov 10 2013, 8:05 PM
SrSusan (guest): It will be good to compare the 2
Am: THank you. I actually have two girls in particular that have a look like maybe they should think about a vocation
Nov 10 2013, 8:06 PM
K (guest): I heard that the lady who stared “Imagine Sisters”, was once discerning religious life – found that she was not called and because of her love for religious life, decided to do something to help encourage vocations.
Nov 10 2013, 8:06 PM
SrSusan (guest): Let them watch it then- it will inspire and maybe convince them to think about the vocation!
We could do the Heart to Heart chat if a few of us read the book
SrSusan (guest): There’s a reader’s guide to it on line someplace- the Oblates I think
K (guest): I will try to get the book. Hello R
V: I would like that, SSM! As for the Intro course, I think I might have gotten lost in it. Are you doing that course, Alice?
__R__: good, I have news
Valerie Kolárik: I would like that, SSM! As for the Intro course, I think I might have gotten lost in it. Are you doing that course, Alice?
Nov 10 2013, 8:08 PM
__Rachel__: good, I have news
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
V: what’s your news>
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
__R__: Ok, I was accepted, I enter in Feb
SrSusan (guest): Yay!!!!!!!!
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
V: Congratulations!!!!
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
K(guest): Praised be Jesus Christ!
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
__R_: I found out last Sunday, Mother told me
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
Am: Congratulations
V: tell us more, please
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (guest): Many blessings!!!!
Nov 10 2013, 8:09 PM
__R__: I’ve been trying to go through all my “stuff” and give it all away lol
K (guest): Where are you entering
Nov 10 2013, 8:11 PM
__R: but it’s one of the more strict ones.. no tv, no internet, stuff like that
Nov 10 2013, 8:12 PM
__R_: I raced home from Benediction to get in the chat fast enough to share since I didn’t make it last week fast enough
Nov 10 2013, 8:12 PM
SrSusan (guest): We will always stay in touch thru our hearts’ prayer- closer than the internet!
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS: “Everything conveyed to us by sight is to some extent dangerous, for seeing a thing puts us in peril of loving it; but if we have really made up our mind, what we see does us no harm.” So, just close your eyes, Rachel. es, I told our Lord that if I couldn’t find somewhere for Lucky to go then He needs to just take him bc I know I can’t put him down without feeling really guilty
Nov 10 2013, 8:21 PM
__R_: I still find it hard to believe that God would choose me for this.. I’m like probably the last person I’d choose if I were God lol
Nov 10 2013, 8:22 PM
K (guest): Do you mind sharing how your family is handling your entering religious life R?
A: good questions
Mary Roberta Viano: And that makes you the first in His eyes!
K (guest): All the more reason He would chose you.
Nov 10 2013, 8:23 PM
__R_: oh, you guys probably don’t know, I have 4 adult children
Nov 10 2013, 8:24 PM
K (guest): That’s wonderful.
Nov 10 2013, 8:24 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Will they be able to visit you?
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V: how do they feel about it, Rachel? Big stuff going on, hey? “\
Nov 10 2013, 8:24 PM
A: oh my gosh thats such an encouragement to me and all of us thank you!
A: Rmay I ask your age? I am 56
Nov 10 2013, 8:25 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Are all four OK with your being totally cloistered?
__R they are very supportive. As a matter of fact, my oldest son and oldest daughter are sharing taking care of stuff after I go in.. like my son is going to be in charge of the money I leave behind, and daughter is going to contact him if any bills happen to come in that I forgot, and they are taking care of my taxes too
Nov 10 2013, 8:26 PM
A wow
Nov 10 2013, 8:26 PM
__R__: and yes, they are all ok with me being cloistered.. my youngest daughter when I told her said “when do I get the car” lol
__R_: I’m 45 (will be 46 in Dec)
__R_: Are you all discerning?
Nov 10 2013, 8:27 PM
A: yes
Nov 10 2013, 8:27 PM
K (guest): Yes
Nov 10 2013, 8:27 PM
Am: yes
V: yes
Nov 10 2013, 8:28 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: In our cloistered house in Toledo three sisters have grandchildren who love visiting their grandmoms.
A: what happens if there is an emergency in a cloistered community- outside in ones family i mean
Mary Roberta Viano: An appeal to the Mother Superior usually comes up with a satisfactory compromise.
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__R__: I think it depends on the situation (at least in ours). I know that there have been Sr’s that have been allowed out for emergencies0 PM
Nov 10 2013, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: The rules are not totally unbendable when it’s a question of compassion for loved ones.
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__R_: this is one of the very strict Carmel’s
Nov 10 2013, 8:36 PM
Kguest): I had the opportunity to visit strict cloistered Carmelite sisters in Buffalo and they were so full of joy!