Sun Chat Jan 24: The connection with Francis de Sales and our contemporary political situation is important. With the celebration of the feast day of St. Francis (January 24), how can we not just commemorate his saintly life, but live a life inspired by him so that the Gospel can transform our culture? Are there ways in your life that you can erase those “white lies”? Reflect on this: God is truth. Thus, if we lie, we are rebelling against the very nature of God. How important is truth to God? How important is truth to you?
How might the Spirit be calling you to examine your own speech?
Guest8631 (guest): Hi Sister Susan ! Happy St Francis de Sales Day ! Have a wonderful blessed trip to the Vatican and may you continue to grow closer and closer to our Lord Jesus Christ ! We will be praying for you and all who will be traveling with you ! I will ask our Kairos Men tonight to be praying for you and your community ! God Bless You and the whole community ! Have a great chat time tonight !Brian
Jan 24 2016, 5:03 PM
Judy K: Dear Mother and all of your Sisters,
Jan 24 2016, 5:09 PM
Judy K: Happy Feast of St. Francis de Sales! May he win many graces and blessings for all of you. This week, made contact with the coordinator of the de Sales Secular Institute. I had met her a number of years in my own Salesian formation. I was much saddened to learn that she is suffering from pancreatic cancer which was diagnosed last October. Perhaps that is why she has been on my mind so much lately–the Lord’s way of telling me to contact. Please keep Dana in your prayers.
Jan 24 2016, 5:11 PM
Judy K: She is seeking the intercession of Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ who was imprisoned in Russia for 25 years. His biography is entitled “With God in Russia” and I believe I read it many years ago. I have a prayer for his canonization which I will forward to you after chat. I hope that you will pray it for Dana.
Lisa C: Happy StFdS Feast Day
Jan 24 2016, 7:25 PM
Judy K: How is everyone weathering the storm?
Jan 24 2016, 7:25 PM
SrSusan (guest): Thank you quite a day!
Jan 24 2016, 7:26 PM
SrSusan (guest): No Mass yesterday and almost not today but a priest came to the rescue
Jan 24 2016, 7:26 PM
Lisa C: We had 3 feet of snow
The connection with Francis de Sales and our contemporary political situation is important. With the celebration of the feast day of St. Francis (January 24), how can we not just commemorate his saintly life, but live a life inspired by him so that the Gospel can transform our culture?Are there ways in your life that you can erase those “white lies”? Reflect on this: God is truth. Thus, if we lie, we are rebelling against the very nature of God. How important is truth to God? How important is truth to you?H
Jan 24 2016, 7:33 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Everyone, How are you a
:33 PM
Judy K: Not easy questions this week.
Jan 24 2016, 7:33 PM
SrSusan (guest): Ok just repeated the questions becaus ethey rolled away already
Jan 24 2016, 7:34 PM
Lisa C: Truth is important to God. Jesus said He is the way and the truth and the life
Jan 24 2016, 7:34 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Truth – ties in with humility also
Jan 24 2016, 7:35 PM
Dawn L: important questions this week
Jan 24 2016, 7:35 PM
Carol Ann: In some cases, I cannot tell who is telling the truth, or if all are just focusing on one aspect of a situation to the detriment of all
Jan 24 2016, 7:35 PM
Lisa C: Titus 1:2 God cannot lie
7:36 PM
Judy K: How can we live a life inspired by sfds so that the Gospel can transform our culture? One way that comes to mind is signing petitions and encouraging others to do so re: freedom of speech and religion. Also to participate in letter writing campaigns and writing letters to the editor to keep them notified about the truths which we believe.
Jan 24 2016, 7:36 PM
Dawn L: good point I think Carol Ann….pondering that
Jan 24 2016, 7:37 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I think you are right Carol Ann. But isn’t that just the problem. Truth shouldn’t be complicated.
Jan 24 2016, 7:38 PM
Judy K: But people these days are very clever and can twist things to make them look true.
Jan 24 2016, 7:38 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Sometimes in work I find people aren’t truthful and very accepting of ‘white lies”. When you question them further, it doesn’t seem to bother them that they weren’t completely truthful
Jan 24 2016, 7:39 PM
Lisa C: With relativism truth is becoming something other than important. I have heard people say the truth is different for different people. I find that impossible. Truth is absolute. God knows everything so what He knows is the truth. There can only be one truth.
Jan 24 2016, 7:39 PM
Judy K: This is why we need to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves.
Jan 24 2016, 7:39 PM
Carol Ann: True, Kathleen. The situation I am thinking of is the refugee crisis in the Middle East. There are those who call for caution and scrutiny, because terrorists have slipped in among the refugees. Others say they are all terrorist because of their interpretation of Islam (the speaker, not the refugee). Who is speaking the truth?
Jan 24 2016, 7:39 PM
Dawn L: its always easy to look at what others are doing. I took this question to mean self reflection?
Jan 24 2016, 7:40 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I think culturally we are increasingly accepting of the little white lie. But to me that is one of the really wonderful things about Salesian spirituality. It does bring it back to the virtues we can practice
Jan 24 2016, 7:42 PM
Judy K: Because God is truth, truth is of paramount importance to Him. Jesus said that you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. So if we desire true freedom, we must be people of truth. Living with untruth in one’s life is a form of imprisonment. e.g. those who support abortion, and have had abortions and not repented are imprisoned in sin caused by accepting the lie that abortion is all right.
Jan 24 2016, 7:43 PM
Judy K: The same with same sex marriage and contraception. Truth is important to because in order to live in the will of God, I must act and think in accordance with truth.
Jan 24 2016, 7:43 PM
Carol Ann: So, Judy, the first question seems to be, are we telling the truth to ourselves?
Jan 24 2016, 7:44 PM
Lisa C: Judy do you think that the people who support abortion and do not know it is wrong have sinned? Do you think that there are people who were born after it was legal and do not know it is wrong?
:44 PM
Judy K: That probably is true. And how can we know that we are following the truth, by following the Commandments, the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the Church.
Jan 24 2016, 7:44 PM
Dawn L: to the expent we understand our own sinfullness, and repent, then we can see others. somehow compassion is all a big part of this…if God is merciful to forgive us, then gently we can speak to others with the mercy and compassion of Love himself
Jan 24 2016, 7:45 PM
Amy Cochran: that’s an interesting thought, Lisa. if someone was born to liberal parents after it was legalized they could say women have a right to choose
Jan 24 2016, 7:45 PM
Lisa C: I am not excusing them just saying they have to know it is wrong to actually sin.
Jan 24 2016, 7:45 PM
Judy K: The Church has spoken out forcefully about the evil of abortion. I believe that such people do not want to admit that it is evil.
Jan 24 2016, 7:45 PM
Lisa C: I think if we speak the truth to people who do not know and do it gently they could learn and repent.
Jan 24 2016, 7:46 PM
Amy Cochran: it’s amazing how our past can influence our beliefs. but only the grace of God can cause a change of heart
Jan 24 2016, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: Judy there are actually people raised by atheists
Jan 24 2016, 7:46 PM
SrSusan (guest): One of our Sisters was teaching the 8th grade the other day and 2 girls out of the class said they were pro choice!
Jan 24 2016, 7:46 PM
Amy Cochran: that’s why Mary at Fatima said something that if you want conversions you have to do penace
Lisa C: Mother, what did the sister do?
Jan 24 2016, 7:46 PM
Dawn L: Hi Amy….yes, only grace does these things
Jan 24 2016, 7:46 PM
SrSusan (guest): But Sister tried to show them the truth by saying would you take a knife to a child in a crib?
SrSusan (guest): Well she said, the womb is like a crib
Lisa C: Nice answer
SrSusan (guest): There is so much cultural influence today
Amy Cochran: I agree, nice answer
SrSusan (guest): We just have to keep repeating truth and have people spend time with Jesus
Jan 24 2016, 7:47 PM
Guest167 (guest): Carol Ann, you are saying exactly what I’ve been struggling with… For issues such as Judy has mentioned, the Church clearly defines truth for us, but there are so many areas that seem to require more discernment… which is tricky, if I have “blind spots” in my level of truth with myself.
Jan 24 2016, 7:47 PM
SrSusan (guest): in the Blessed Sacrament
7:48 PM
Amy Cochran: i agree, Sister, when you sit in front of Jesus, the truth seems obvious after awhile
Jan 24 2016, 7:48 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Yes, it is the power of prayer and intercession that can change peoples hearts.
16, 7:48 PM
Lisa C: The current culture is so infested with bad influences16, 7:49 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, Guest 1167, that is what I am trying to say. Caution and prudence are good things, especially in this situation, but is it true and just that all are guilty because of the actions of some?
Jan 24 2016, 7:49 PM
Amy Cochran: yes, the media has an important role in shaping thoughts
6, 7:49 PM
Kathleen Diamond: It does7:49 PM
Judy K: And many people seem more willing to listen to the errors than to the truth.
Jan 24 2016, 7:49 PM
Kathleen Diamond: It is very sad to think that young people, with access to media and without the church don’t necessarily have any moral compass.
Jan 24 2016, 7:49 PM
Judy K: Hi Kathy!
2016, 7:50 PM
Michelle P Olivier: For some it is easier than to be accountable16, 7:50 PM
Kathy Tierney: Hi. I’m the newbie. Just now figured out how to type a post.
Jan 24 2016, 7:50 PM
SrSusan (guest): That is why we have a year of mercy I think
Jan 24 2016, 7:50 PM
Amy Cochran: yes, and public schools don’t provide any direct moral guidelines for fear of offending any special group
Jan 24 2016, 7:50 PM
Lisa C: I think most people who have had abortions even if they think it was ok are very upset about it. When I take medical histories I can tell it is painful for them to admit it.
Jan 24 2016, 7:50 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Kathy!
7:51 PM
Judy K: Perhaps only after having had an abortion do they become fully aware of what they have done.
Jan 24 2016, 7:51 PM
Dawn L: sometimes people, esp young people, have had painful life experiences. when this is mixed with the influences of the world there can be a spiraling down away from God. it is by grace he will reach into your darkness and pull you out
Jan 24 2016, 7:52 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I’m a newbie too Kathy
7:52 PM
Judy K: The needs to continue to be vocal about the truth and we need to help others to come to know the truth.
Guest167 (guest): (Carroll) Kathleen and Kathy, Me, too 54 PM
SrSusan (guest): I don’t think TRUTH is a priority for many- it’s what they FEEl that they think is important
Judy K: Right you are Mother!
Jan 24 2016, 7:54 PM
Kathleen Diamond: So, as a newcomer here, I think the challenge is to balance the need for mercy and compassion with the need for truth.
Jan 24 2016, 7:54 PM
SrSusan (guest): Emotions dominate the young in particular
Ruth (guest): I’ve been signing in as a guest most of the time for a year or so, so that FaceBook won’t intrude.
SrSusan (guest): Well phrased Kathleen. A balance. Just what St Francis de Sales might have said
Jan 24 2016, 7:55 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Truth is not a priority, mostly the thinking is “me” what works for “me”.
SrSusan (guest): So how do we move people from one place to the other. What works for “me” has to be seen as not “truly” working!
Jan 24 2016, 7:56 PM
Kathy Tierney: When I reviewed the questions for tonight I was thinking more in terms of how I need to see where I fail to live or speak the truth. I try very hard, consiously, not to lie. But when I examine my conscience at the end of the day, and can’t think of a sin, certainly I must be blind to ways I may be living little lies.
Jan 24 2016, 7:56 PM
Dawn L: yes Mother. worldly truth is defined by how one feels. that is a stronghold on many
Jan 24 2016, 7:56 PM
Lisa C: Speaking of young people feelings and truth. On the news they said there was a school that sent a note home to parents of kids who had failed classes asking if they wanted them to make a false report card with better grades so they would not feel bad.
Jan 24 2016, 7:56 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I think we have to be very aware of the need for truth in our lives and in our conscience but how do we communicate our truth, and moral truth, to others.
Jan 24 2016, 7:56 PM
Ruth (guest): But what seems to work, when divorced from truth seeking can and often does cause deep inner wounds.
Judy K: And I think that St. Francis de Sales would want us to be gentle in attempting to correct the erroneous thinking of others. Approach them with love and patience.
Jan 24 2016, 7:57 PM
Lisa C: Pope Benedict said that the culture of relativism is a huge problem.
Jan 24 2016, 7:57 PM
Kathleen Diamond: It would seem to me that we have to be careful and gentle but without offering up a false report card 58 PM
Carol Ann: I think that in shielding the young from failures, such as low grades on a report card, teaches them that it’s okay to lie. Instead of finding a way to help people improve, or see a limitation they might have to work hard on, we shield them, make exceptions and stunt growth
Jan 24 2016, 7:58 PM
Lisa C: He always spoke the truth, and that made him unpopular with people who had agendas to change what the church knows to be sin.
Jan 24 2016, 7:57 PM
SrSusan (guest): I think the personal perspective is as important as the cultural for ultimately we need first to change one person, ourselves
6, 7:58 PM
Dawn L: Hi Kathy, I too understood questions to be more examining ourself. when we do this, and grow more, can we then be of more help to others59 PM
Amy Cochran: I agree about young people. they need to learn from failures.
Jan 24 2016, 7:59 PM
Lisa C: It’s like giving participation trophies
Judy K: Yes, Kathleen, we do need to be aware of the need for truth in our own lives. The Holy Spirit might be calling me to examine my speech by becoming aware of the speech of others which might e vulgar, obscene, blasphemous or hurtful. This does cause me to look at my wen speech and to work at eliminating such talk from by mind and mouth
Jan 24 2016, 8:00 PM
SrSusan (guest): Grace wins souls. That’s also why we who have been blessed to understand need to suffer for others too, as well as pray but only as God leads us
Jan 24 2016, 8:00 PM
Judy K: My own speecj.
6, 8:00 PM
Carol Ann: And then, hopefully, others will notice that we are different
Jan 24 2016, 8:00 PM
Judy K: Speech
, 8:01 PM
Michelle P Olivier: By changing ourselves through grace – our examples may impact others to do the same
Jan 24 2016, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: I think I tend to say the truth, but sometimes it comes out too blunt. Now I think that rather than always say what is true it is better to sometimes pray and say nothing.
Jan 24 2016, 8:01 PM
SrSusan (guest): There is a dynamic, or maybe two: one is that some people will try to learn from other’s examples, but another dynamic simply relegates that example to “that’s your thing” and this is “my thing”
Jan 24 2016, 8:01 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I think I want a participation trophy for showing up for my spiritual journey. It is difficult to look at ourselves
8:02 PM
Guest167 (guest): (Carroll) I am fortunate to have opportunities in my work to speak the truth, even to share how wrong I was about particular “truths” prior to my conversion to Catholicism… I often find myself struggling for the courage to speak the whole truth, though, because I don’t want to alienate the other person.
Jan 24 2016, 8:02 PM
Lisa C: Kathleen Grace is your trophy for your spiritual journey
Jan 24 2016, 8:02 PM
Amy Cochran: it is difficult to review our own personal lives honestly. it can be very painful
2 PM
Carol Ann: That makes me smile, Kathleen, Jesus may actually give us one as He rolls up His sleeves and goes to work on us.
Jan 24 2016, 8:03 PM
Kathy Tierney: In trying to better myself, I find myself trying to find the middle between being scrupulous and being to lax. Sometimes I feel I may have committed a sin, but then I think, we’ll that wasn’t that bad because you’re intentions were good. So is that a white lie?
Jan 24 2016, 8:03 PM
SrSusan (guest): But unless we can do that we can’t really expect others to change because they have to do that too and they have less development perhaps spiritually than we have and we find it hard.
Jan 24 2016, 8:03 PM
Judy K: Maybe we need to think of the words of St. James who spoke about the tongue as being a little organ but capable of setting a great fire. And also Jesus’ words about that it is out of the mouth that contamination can issue.
Jan 24 2016, 8:03 PM
SrSusan (guest): But it’s not hopeless. It is hope that will win out
Jan 24 2016, 8:03 PM
Amy Cochran: speaking the truth about one’s own conversion from sin to God can be purifying but also opens you up to repercussions due to becoming vulnerable’
Jan 24 2016, 8:04 PM
Amy Cochran: Yes, hope is where it is at
Jan 24 2016, 8:04 PM
Ruth (guest): What kind of work do you do guest 167 *Caroll?
Jan 24 2016, 8:04 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hello from snowbound DC! Anyone else from a snowbound place?
Jan 24 2016, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Sr Mary Roberta
Jan 24 2016, 8:04 PM
Amy Cochran: pretty snowless in vermont
Jan 24 2016, 8:04 PM
Lisa C: Sister, I am snowbound just north of you
16, 8:05 PM
Judy K: That is something for which I am particularly grateful.
Jan 24 2016, 8:05 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: no school for the next 2 days as we dig out…
Jan 24 2016, 8:05 PM
SrSusan (guest): It’s a lively discussion tonight and some new members are here very immersed it seems to me
Jan 24 2016, 8:05 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I’m all the way out in Montana. It is warm here by comparison.
Jan 24 2016, 8:06 PM
Carol Ann: I hope you will be all dug out in tie to go to Rome
Amy Cochran: big storms are enlightening to the power of God. too often people think He’s a buddy, and forget exactly who He is
6 PM
Dawn L: N Cal mountains…we are in between snow storms
Jan 24 2016, 8:06 PM
Lisa C: I still think He is my buddy. If He is not I do not know who is.
Jan 24 2016, 8:07 PM
Carol Ann: So Cal Coast, wondering where our El Nino rains went
Jan 24 2016, 8:07 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: true, Amy…lots of beauty under today’s sun, but also great power…people forget and then have heart attacks as they attack the snow!
6, 8:07 PM
Dawn L: Sr Mary Roberta, are you also going to Rome?
Jan 24 2016, 8:07 PM
Amy Cochran: He is a friend, but His power makes him also in a position of King
PM
Mary Roberta Viano: no, wish I could, Dawn, to practice my Italian!
Jan 24 2016, 8:08 PM
Ruth (guest): In the northern Adirondack Park — sunny, clear and cold today and yesterday. Full or nearly full moon. Pretty. Lots of snow on the ground, but not nearly as much as “normally” this time of year.
Jan 24 2016, 8:08 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: we got your share, Ruth!
Jan 24 2016, 8:08 PM
SrSusan (guest): No one who is going speaks Italian but Sr M Roberta does. !
:08 PM
Judy K: He is the best of all friends, but we must always remember that He is Lord of Lords.
Jan 24 2016, 8:08 PM
Lisa C: We got a whole season of snow in one weekend.
M
SrSusan (guest): He is FRiend and Spouse and God
Jan 24 2016, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (guest): And we are His image
Jan 24 2016, 8:09 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It should be a great end of the Year for Consecrated Life and also Fr. Corignan’s gathering of 75 Visitation sisters from around the world.
Jan 24 2016, 8:09 PM
Lisa C: He is everything
6, 8:09 PM
Carol Ann: Counselor, Savior, Heart of Hearts 0 PM
Dawn L: praying EWTN may cover some
Jan 24 2016, 8:10 PM
SrSusan (guest): Ultimately Yes ALL
Jan 24 2016, 8:10 PM
SrSusan (guest): God Alone as St Louis de Montfort always said
Jan 24 2016, 8:10 PM
Judy K: He is all of the virtues in their perfection.
16, 8:10 PM
Lisa C: His life is all we have
Jan 24 2016, 8:10 PM
Ruth (guest): Maybe you can get by with latin.
Jan 24 2016, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: and our own SFdS, whose feast day we just finished celebrating today, said the same thing
Jan 24 2016, 8:11 PM
Amy Cochran: Learning to detach from things makes you focus on God alone, but it’s amazing how many attachments we do have
Jan 24 2016, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: so true, Amy!
PM
Amy Cochran: sometimes i think i love my dog and belonging to social groups more than God, to be truthful. I think how difficult it is to put everything into perspective
Jan 24 2016, 8:12 PM
Judy K: When we focus on the love of the Lord, sit looking at a crucifix for even 5 minutes should make us fully aware of how much He loves us. That should make it easier for us to detach.
Jan 24 2016, 8:13 PM
Amy Cochran: when Jesus turned to His apostles and said “follow me”. they did. they didn’t discern, they just dropped it all and went
Jan 24 2016, 8:13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: He goes on: Keep your hearts in this state of holy indifference, ready to receive all that shall be given you and desire nothing that shall not be given you.
8:13 PM
Lisa C: God gave you your wonderful dog
Jan 24 2016, 8:13 PM
Dawn L: so a gift can be having things you are attached to, taken away
Jan 24 2016, 8:13 PM
Amy Cochran: he’s not so wonderful; he bites
Jan 24 2016, 8:14 PM
Carol Ann: Everything comes from Him, all is for our good But we mst not misuse it
Jan 24 2016, 8:14 PM
Judy K: Yes, the dog is a gift, but he is not above the Giver.
Jan 24 2016, 8:14 PM
Amy Cochran: yes, Judy, you are correc
:15 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m amazed by these words of Holy Father: Perfection does not consist in not seeing the world, but in not relishing and savoring it.
Jan 24 2016, 8:15 PM
Amy Cochran: how about children, or close friends? if God said today, come follow me, how many would hesitate and say ok, but let me call my kids and tell them I’m leaving
PM
Mary Roberta Viano: He goes on: Everything conveyed to us by sight is to some extent dangerous, for seeing a thing puts us in peril of loving it…
Jan 24 2016, 8:15 PM
Carol Ann: But that does not mean don’t enjoy the gifts?
:16 PM
Lisa C: Amy God would not ask you to leave your kids. Taking care of them is a vocation
Jan 24 2016, 8:16 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: but if we have really made up our mind, what we see does us no harm…a perfect life is the perfection of charity
Jan 24 2016, 8:17 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Our first Christians belonged to the world in body but not in heart and were nonetheless perfect.
Jan 24 2016, 8:17 PM
Lisa C: We can give up possessions without giving up joy in the world that was made by God
Jan 24 2016, 8:17 PM
Amy Cochran: Great answer, Lisa
Jan 24 2016, 8:17 PM
Judy K: I think that not enjoying gifts is kind of throwing them back in the face of the Lord. The trick is to avoid overattachment .
M
Michelle P Olivier: We can enjoy but never prefer it above Christ. Benedict of Nursia “Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ”
Jan 24 2016, 8:18 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: right, Lisa, we don’t let the possessions possess us
Jan 24 2016, 8:18 PM
Carol Ann: The place of art and literature is to raise minds and hearts to God. Talents given to us to use
6, 8:19 PM
Amy Cochran: we can enjoy possessions but with the same time have a detachment, that if they go, they go.
Jan 24 2016, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann: that also bring pleasure, but cannot replace God
Jan 24 2016, 8:19 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes and that relates to truth because these reflect who we are and what God has gifted us with
15 online
Ruth (guest): Amy, glad you are back with us, and sort of surprised you are still in Vermont. I told the priest I know in Yonkers that you would call him, looking for help to find a room to rent. His parish and he are are largely, I think, Hispanic.
Jan 24 2016, 8:20 PM
Judy K: When God created, He said that everything was good. But along came the serpent and lied to Eve and thus the innate goodness or neutrality of things was tainted by sinful intentions.
Jan 24 2016, 8:20 PM
Ruth (guest): I’m not confusing you with someone else, am I?
Jan 24 2016, 8:20 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS says, in religion, one office or one work is as pleasing to God as another, since it is obedience which give value to all the exercises of religion
Jan 24 2016, 8:20 PM
SrSusan (guest): St. Francis de Sales wrote in the Introduction to the Devout Life:
Let your language be mild, open, sincere, frank, unaffected, and honest. Guard against equivocation, artifice, or dissimulation. Although it may not always be advisable to say all that is true, yet it is never allowable to speak against the truth
Jan 24 2016, 8:21 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I love that Sister Susan!
Jan 24 2016, 8:21 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: and he adds: If the choice were given to us, then the meanest would be the most desirable and to be embraced the most lovingly – not the one we can do best…
6, 8:22 PM
Ruth (guest): Sr. Mary Robert, I am surprised, too. Somehow that doesn’t sound right to me. Enjoy God’s creation. But not more than we rejoice in HIM>
Jan 24 2016, 8:22 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I was so moved by that when I read it
2 PM
SrSusan (guest): St Francis just gave you a grace- or rather interceded for it- it is still his Feast day and his words
Jan 24 2016, 8:22 PM
Judy K: What an awful thought that we might desire the meanest rather than the loving.
8:23 PM
Guest167 (guest): “Holy indifference” … It seems like deciding on and verbalizing my intent for this based on my confidence in Our Lord is one thing, but to truly achieve it will only, ultimately, come through His grace… as much as I want only to want what is God’s Will, that “lower” sense of feeling like my heart is flayed open alive can really knaw sometimes…
Jan 24 2016, 8:23 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I think by meanest we are talking about the smallest
Jan 24 2016, 8:23 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: meanest, meaning the most humble, not the nastiest
2016, 8:23 PM
Amy Cochran: meanest, yes, like most despised
Judy K: Ah, the trouble with words. They have so many different meanings. 24 PM
Amy Cochran: Jesus hung out with the meanest, the tax collector, the lepers, the prostitutes
Jan 24 2016, 8:24 PM
SrSusan (guest): But that encourages conversation and interaction and discussion at least!
Jan 24 2016, 8:24 PM
Carol Ann: and they all depend on context
4 2016, 8:25 PM
Ruth (guest): Judy, that makes sense to me. PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS writes in the Intro: To speak a little, a practice so much recommended by the ancient sages, does not consist in uttering few words but in uttering none that are unprofitable – maybe meaning unloving?
Jan 24 2016, 8:26 PM
Dawn L: a good reply to last question then may be to read and meditate on Intro
26 PM
Dawn L: a good reply to last question then may be to read and meditate on Intro
Jan 24 2016, 8:27 PM
Amy Cochran: i think I’m ready to review the intro
Jan 24 2016, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes and perhaps we can do some sections here sometime
Jan 24 2016, 8:27 PM
Carol Ann: I think you are right there, Sr.
, 8:28 PM
Dawn L: would be helpful to do that PM
Ruth (guest): Sr. Roberta, that’s kinda like what the reading from Paul said today, too — one body, many parts.
Jan 24 2016, 8:28 PM
Judy K: I just went back and reread the quote. If by meanest we do mean the smallest or most humble, they are desireable and therefore worth of “love.”
Jan 24 2016, 8:28 PM
Amy Cochran: i think I’d like to look at some of the sections in detail
Jan 24 2016, 8:28 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: In the Intro he says: they who have honesty and chastity which is the angelical virtue , in their hearts, have their words always modest and chaste…so maybe as my heart is, so are my words…
Jan 24 2016, 8:28 PM
Judy K: worthy of love.
Jan 24 2016, 8:29 PM
Carol Ann: It would be wonderful if we could study the intro together
Jan 24 2016, 8:29 PM
Judy K: Out of the mouth the heart speaks.
8:29 PM
Judy K: Out of the mouth the heart speaks.
Jan 24 2016, 8:29 PM
Amy Cochran: i would like to study it with a group
Jan 24 2016, 8:29 PM
Michelle P Olivier: I would like that too
8:29 PM
Kathleen Diamond: But don’t you think it can go the other way too. We can reform our hearts by being careful with our speech
Jan 24 2016, 8:29 PM
Judy K: Me three.
016, 8:29 PM
Kathleen Diamond: I would too 16, 8:30 PM
SrSusan (guest): Is it do-able Sr M Roberta? I think we can try
Jan 24 2016, 8:30 PM
Guest167 (guest): (Carroll)
:30 PM
Amy Cochran: i think we should try
Jan 24 2016, 8:30 PM
Judy K: I have been looking for my copy of the Introduction all week and I can’t find it. I wonder if I loaned it to someone who did not return it and I do not recall who it is.
Jan 24 2016, 8:30 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: hopefully, yes, Kathleen…that’s how I felt about devotionals when I converted to Catholicism..they’d help me worship better deep down
1 viewer
PM
Mary Roberta Viano: hopefully, yes, Kathleen…that’s how I felt about devotionals when I converted to Catholicism..they’d help me worship better deep down
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We can always send you one, Judy.
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
SrSusan (guest): Intro’s also on line
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
SrSusan (guest): But not all like to read it that way
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
Amy Cochran: it’s online also?
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
SrSusan (guest): yes
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
Ruth (guest): My grandmother had a saying: The wise old owl the less he spoke, the more he heard, . . . why can’t we be like that old bird.
1 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: true, but we can underline it online
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
Judy K: Ah yes, I forget about the internet at times.
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
SrSusan (guest): that’s good point
Jan 24 2016, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: can’t underline, that is
:32 PM
Judy K: I will try to get a copy as soon as possible.
Jan 24 2016, 8:32 PM
Michelle P Olivier: Yes, you can get a free download
Jan 24 2016, 8:32 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We can print it and underline it, though
6, 8:32 PM
Lisa C: You can modify a PDF file if you have the software. PM
Lisa C: Yes, you can print it
Jan 24 2016, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: in my itinerant life, the internet allows me to study what I can’t purchase and put somewhere
Jan 24 2016, 8:32 PM
Judy K: That’s a lot of printing and could get expensive.
Jan 24 2016, 8:32 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: we might need to decide on the translation to use
6, 8:33 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: that’s the classic one
Jan 24 2016, 8:33 PM
Michelle P Olivier: I have that one
M
Ruth (guest): Don’t forget about the course — free — at Saletian College — on line.
Jan 24 2016, 8:34 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Mother B. uses Holy Father’s letters in her Salesian group.
Jan 24 2016, 8:34 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, that MOOC started today
Jan 24 2016, 8:35 PM
Judy K: Maybe the section to be considered could be announced beforehand, we could peruse the internet and make notes if you provide discussion questions.
35 PM
Amy Cochran: salesian college?
Jan 24 2016, 8:35 PM
Guest167 (guest): ty
Jan 24 2016, 8:36 PM
Michelle P Olivier: What is the address for the online course
Jan 24 2016, 8:36 PM
Lisa C: http://visitationspirit.org/2015/12/first-time-ever-international-free-on-line-salesian-course/
First Time Ever-International, Free On Line Salesian Course | Visitation Spirit
Jan 24 2016, 8:36 PM
Michelle P Olivier: thank you
Jan 24 2016, 8:36 PM
Ruth (guest): Today? I thought the MOOC starts with Lent.
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes,
Kathleen Diamond: Thank you.
Lisa C: Mother,
Michelle P Olivier: Good night –
Amy Cochran: good night!
Guest167 (guest): Thank you,
Ruth (guest): Thank you Sr.
Kathy Tierney: Good night!
Carol Ann: God bless us every one this week
Amy Cochran: Thank you,
Lisa C: God be praised!
Dawn L: Good night all.
Dawn L: yes,
Ruth (guest): I will/
Judy K: Good night Mother and have a safe trip.
Judy K: Good night everyone.
Dawn L: amen.
Ruth (guest): “
Ruth (guest): Good night,
Ruth (guest): God bless all of you.