Sister Susan Marie: With the Thanksgiving holiday here, how can stopping and giving thanks be a way of following the advice given here by St. Francis? Often the story of Martha and Mary is interpreted by looking at Martha exclusively in a negative light. However, have you considered that the Lord’s message is that we need to find a balance between Martha and Mary? Even cloistered nuns have certain works they need to do. How can we find a balance between being Martha and Mary in our lives? In today’s world we are bomb
Sister Susan Marie: In today’s world we are bombarded with overdoing and overstimulation. How can we take time out of our busy days to “choose the better part”?
Guest4493 (guest): Hi Sister Susan ! Have a great chat ! Please pray forKairos Men tonight ! Always difficult time after holidays . Was able to speak to Harry again today . The triplets are boys ! Sorry Dawn ! Please pray for his conversion ! God Love You Alll! Brian
VisitationSiste: Now that the Advent season is here which many take for the Christmas already, how can we keep the proper spirit and nor get into the rush? Hi Judy
Dawn (guest): I am trying to think of an Advent project to do with little ones, and this will I think help my heart stay
Nov 27 2016, 7:26 PM
, 7:28 PM
Lisa C: Think about the Nativity story what we are waiting for
Lisa C: A new baby who is God and will save us
Nov 27 2016, 7:29 PM
Lisa C: How simple it is
29 PM
Lisa C: The simplicity shows us that we do not need things…like the adds want us to think we do
Nov 27 2016, 7:29 PM
Dawn (guest): thats nice Lisa, good idea. could use a little nativity scene toys
Nov 27 2016, 7:30 PM
Lisa C: When my Sister and I were little and we put up the tree we sang the Nativity set into place with hymns
Nov 27 2016, 7:30 PM
Guest7517 (guest): To keep the spirit of Advent, we need to keep focused on the idea of Advent, read the Scriptures having to do with Advent, make use of the Advent wreath as a point of focus, and concentrate on preparing our hearts to celebrate this wonderful feast. Think of what you might give to Jesus for a birthday present, and maybe even plan a birthday party for Him.
:33 PM
Dawn (guest): such joyful ideas! even for the child in us
Nov 27 2016, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: I think Advent is a perfect Martha-Mary time
Nov 27 2016, 7:33 PM
Carol Ann: Scott Hahn has a series about Mary up on his website for people to study
, 7:35 PM
Dawn (guest): thanks Carol Ann and it is perfect Martha Mary time
Nov 27 2016, 7:36 PM
Guest7517 (guest): Mother Angelica used to say that we need to keep our heads in Heaven and our feet planted firmly on the ground. That’s what we need to do during Advent. Keep our heads in the presence of the coming King, and our feet doing the myriad things that need to be done. And we need to do them with the attitude spoken of in today’s lesson.
M
Lisa C: Mothers have to be Martha to prepare everything for all the guests and their own children, but also have to keep their mind on Jesus
Guest7611 (guest): My name is Maryclare…
Nov 27 2016, 7:38 PM
Lisa C: Hi Maryclare
Nov 27 2016, 7:38 PM
Dawn (guest): Hi Maryclare
Nov 27 2016, 7:38 PM
Guest7517 (guest): Stopping and giving thanks causes us to take careful note of the things for which we are grateful. It cannot be rushed but must be done slowly and carefully so as not to forget anything. I usually begin with my parents who really wanted me. and then basically go through my life mentioning everything I can think of.
Nov 27 2016, 7:38 PM
Carol Ann: Our hearts should always be sitting at Jesus’ feet no matter what our heads are doing
Nov 27 2016, 7:38 PM
Guest7517 (guest): Hi Maryclare! Welcome to our chat circle.
VisitationSiste: Welcome MARYCLARE
, 7:40 PM
Guest7611 (guest): Hi! Are you all sisters? I have been very interested in pursuing a vocation to religious life…
Nov 27 2016, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: I think I am the only Sister here at the moment
, 7:41 PM
Carol Ann: I a m a novice
Nov 27 2016, 7:41 PM
Guest7517 (guest): Maryclare, have you begin to seriously discern a vocation? What steps have you taken?
42 PM
Ruth (guest): Welcome Maryclare.
Nov 27 2016, 7:43 PM
Guest7611 (guest): Yes, I have always had a plan of life, daily Mass, frequent confession, an hour of Adoration, Divine Office, etc. But recently, I have felt a desire to give everything to serving God. I am a lawyer, but am 48 years old. So I pray Our Lord will show me where HE wants me to serve. I have been very impressed with the Charism of the Visitation Order…
5 PM
Ruth (guest): What state do you live and work in, Maryclare?
Nov 27 2016, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Have you gone on a retreat at Visitation anywhere
Nov 27 2016, 7:46 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Do you have a spiritual director? That is one of the first steps to take. And since you seem to be attracted to the Visitation, perhaps Mother Susan might be able to help yu, especially if you live in Hew York.
Nov 27 2016, 7:46 PM
Guest7611 (guest): I live and work on Cape Cod. I am hoping to visit the Sisters in Georgetown this December!! So excited!
Nov 27 2016, 7:47 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s wonderful!
Nov 27 2016, 7:47 PM
VisitationSiste: I hope you are working with Sr Anne Francis
5 PMM
Guest7611 (guest): I do have a Spiritual Director….A wonderful Holy Priest…He did encourage me to first visit the Visitation Sisters…I am also going to visit the Poor Clares. Yes, Sister Anne Francis is such a wonderful friend! I can’t wait to meet her!
Nov 27 2016, 7:49 PM
Guest7611 (guest): Is there also a Convent in the Bronx?
Nov 27 2016, 7:50 PM
Ruth (guest): I think I’d like to visit the Georgetown Monastery, too. But I doubt that I could do it this December. I’m also interested in Toledo — mostly because I lived and worked there at one time, made new friends quickly back then, but I did not know about the Visitation Monastery.
Nov 27 2016, 7:51 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) the Visitation Monastery where Mother Susan is located is in Brooklyn, NY.
Nov 27 2016, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: Not any longer in Upper Manhattan neaR THE bRONX
PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Getting back to Martha and Mary– Without Martha’s busyness, there might not have been a meal to serve the guests. And Mary’s attentiveness to Jesus was important so that He was not ignored or left alone. Perhaps Martha could have chosen a less complicated menu and done most of preparation beforehand so as to have some time to be present to and with her guests.
Nov 27 2016, 7:55 PM
Guest7611 (guest): What is your charism? Are you active and cloistered?
Nov 27 2016, 7:56 PM
Guest7517 (guest): And Mary might have offered a hand from time to time so that her sister wouldn’t be so frazzled. Our lives need to be a combination of activity done in peace so as to complete the job as perfectly as possible, and of thoughtful prsence so as to be a good host or hostess.
2016, 7:58 PM
Lisa C: Brooklyn has a grammar school and Georgetown has a high school. The Nuns teach religion and at Georgetown they also have homeroom
Nov 27 2016, 7:58 PM
Lisa C: Yes, Ruth it is annoying
6, 8:03 PM
Carol Ann: I like to sing Carol’s in the car driving between appointments
Nov 27 2016, 8:03 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Probably the best thing most of us could do is to turn off the TV and all forms of media, including games, to come to a place of quiet and stillness and solitude so as to give our full attention to the Lord.
Nov 27 2016, 8:04 PM
Dawn (guest): During the day even if busy trying to bring the Lord into my mind…like Sr Mary Roberta said once ejaculatory prayer
Nov 27 2016, 8:04 PM
Lisa C: I think we need to have certain disciplines set up or we might forget to pray. I have places and times and then spontaneous times too…
Nov 27 2016, 8:04 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) And put the answer machine on so you will not be interrupted by the need to answer the phone. Turn the volume off so that you will be completely undesturbed.
Nov 27 2016, 8:04 PM
Lisa C: If I forget somehow Jesus and Mary will remind me
Nov 27 2016, 8:05 PM
Ruth (guest): When I was in med school I worked an hour of adoration into my schedule — sometimes in a hospital chapel, sometimes in a church; I had the open times of all the churches memorized. . . Here it is harder . . .
Nov 27 2016, 8:05 PM
Lisa C: I have rosaries in most places I sit and holy pictures on the walls so it is hard to forget if I am home
16, 8:06 PM
Carol Ann: I have the hours to say, and we say t g e Angelus at noon 7 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) I sometimes think that if anyone comes into my home, they will think that I am a religious fanatic. I have pictures and statues everywhere. Just as people have family pictures throughout their homes, so I have images of my Heavenly family throughout my home.
Nov 27 2016, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: What I notice is that the moment my horarium gets intterrupted I miss some one of the prayers be it ofice or a chaplet or a rosary
8:08 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) I also have the Liturgy of the Hours to pray and the Rosary daily.
Nov 27 2016, 8:08 PM
Carol Ann: Me too, Judy. I inherited my father’s divine mercy image-one if the first in the States
Nov 27 2016, 8:09 PM
Dawn (guest): Our younger priest showed me to download Divine Office, so it is easy to pray with others during the day
Nov 27 2016, 8:09 PM
Lisa C: I feel like Mary reminds me if I happen to forget. I will not be able to go to sleep if I have not said a rosary that day. So I pray to be able to stay awake for it, and I am able no matter how tired I am.
8:09 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) But I am beginning to set aside a time every day to just spend with the Lord, with no agenda other that to spend time with Him.
Nov 27 2016, 8:10 PM
VisitationSiste: All beautiful ways
8:10 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Other than
Nov 27 2016, 8:10 PM
Dawn (guest): when possible, the first thing in the morning!
2 PM
Ruth (guest): But I am referring to being with the Sacramental presence of Our Lord. A little over ten years ago, I found that it seemed to me that the Lord wanted me to be aware of his Presence always and everywhere — since I couldn’t get to an open church or get permission to reserve the Blessed Sacrament at home. It is kind of like that, now. I have a room full of spiritual books with a desk — and now even a futon “bed” — and that helps with focused being-with but it seems that we are in conversation practically 16 PM
VisitationSiste: What other ways can we find to be before Jesus if we can’t stay in church. I always think of the Enthronement or as Carol said the Divine Mercy picture
Nov 27 2016, 8:17 PM
Lisa C: Yes, Jesus (Sacred Heart) is enthroned here
Nov 27 2016, 8:17 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Ruth, I am kind of like you. Right above my computer, I have three pictures of Jesus, one of the Sacred Heart, one entitled “Come to Me” by Charles Bosserson Chambers, and a beautiful one by one of the Hooks (I can’t remember which one).
Nov 27 2016, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: Jesus is also enthroned in people and helping them is being with Him
Nov 27 2016, 8:18 PM
Dawn (guest): I have been looking for a image of Jesus, the shroud of Turin where they create more of an image of him.
Nov 27 2016, 8:18 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Since I do most of my praying in the living room, I have a beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart in the room. Looking at it certainly helps me to focus on Him.
Nov 27 2016, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann: So many beautiful pictures of Jesus. I wonder if people realize how much like icons they are
PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Dawn, have you ever tried to Google “Images of Jesus”? There are many images on the net and some of them can be copied for your own use.
Nov 27 2016, 8:20 PM
Ruth (guest): Miriam is sooooo into her Orthodox Jewish religious practices. She’s Irish, was raised Catholic. We met at St. John’s University, both of us studying philosophy. We chat by phone more than once per week. But JESUS and the Catholic Faith are sort of “taboo” topics. I sent her a DVD from the Barron CATHOLICISM series — beautiful! — but I don’t think she’s even watched it — after having it for about three years.
Nov 27 2016, 8:20 PM
Dawn (guest): above my bed I framed ornate certificate of my First Communion. Jesus is standing behind the rail and offering Himself….it is such a beautiful picture!
Nov 27 2016, 8:21 PM
What do You Say to a Homeless Person? Advice from Catholic
16, 8:22 PM
Ruth (guest): My passwords — all are S.Scripture verses, Saints names, some deceased friends names — reminders each time I sign into a site.
Nov 27 2016, 8:22 PM
VisitationSiste: Lisa that is powerful I still think we need a religious congregation specifically geared to helping homeless
:23 PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) Above my bed, I have a crucifix and a wall rosary. On one side is a picture of Our Lady of the Millenium and on the other side a cross filled with icons from the life of Jesus.
Nov 27 2016, 8:23 PM
Lisa C: The Friars of the Renewal do that in the Bronx
Nov 27 2016, 8:23 PM
Lisa C: They have a free medical clinic and a shelter
Nov 27 2016, 8:23 PM
Lisa C: I used to volunteer there when I was in NY
16, 8:24 PM
Ruth (guest): I have a “gallery” of priests ordination, anniversary, or death cards under the crucifix in my prayer room — reminders to pray for them and for all priests, and for vocations to the priesthood.
Nov 27 2016, 8:24 PM
Carol Ann: I also have an icon of St Michael and angels. I do most of my collecting on pinterest.com these days!
6
Lisa C: I also think my scapula helps focus me
Nov 27 2016, 8:25 PM
Lisa C: It protects me too
Nov 27 2016, 8:25 PM
Lisa C: Wearing it is very powerful
PM
Guest7517 (guest): (Judy) We all seem to have more than enough of what Mother Angelica called “Holy Reminders.” None of us should ever be very far from contact with the Lord. And then there is that old question, “If God seems far away, who moved.” Always a good one to consider. , 8:27 PM
Dawn (guest): On left on my bed, Crucifix and state of Blessed Virgin….across the room, all rosaries and Sacred Heart of Jesus. Was just thinking… how BLESSED to have a warm home and walls!! yes a ministry to care for homeless even just to pray for them everynight