Why do you think it is so important to emphasize to people about the importance of “the small things”? Think of it this way: Imagine someone who does heroic spiritual and charitable deeds but who never smiles and is never friendly and has a foul mouth. What good are those heroid deeds? Is Saint Francis belittling small deads and telling people that if they don’t want to be holy in a big way, at least they have something? What does it mean to give God “your hair”?
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) i want to start the first question by coming in the back door. You know how you seem to get through something really big with no big trouble, but along come a whole bunch of little things and you nearly flip out? That’s how important little things are. No matter how wonderful the deed is, a sour and foul mouthed person detracts from the deeds themselves. One would certainly question the motive from which the deeds were done. Lack of positive attitude could bring about a negarive result in the task PM
SrSusan (Guest): Back door worked well Judy!
May 7, 7:30 PM
Lisa C: Somehow the little things are most important. Little things matter to children, and Jesus says we must be like children to enter heaven.
May 7, 7:30 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy)Maybe I should use it more often.
May 7, 7:30 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think mostly we only have small things most days so they become big and important
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Lisa C: I remember all the little things people did for me more than the big things.
May 7, 7:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Children have much to teach if we watch and listen to them
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Carol Ann: The Little Way of St. There’s
May 7, 7:31 PM
Lisa C: For example my Grandparents did not have much, but everything they did was wonderful.
May 7, 7:31 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Remember the old Kitty Kallen song “Little Things Mean a Lot?
May 7, 7:31 PM
SrSusan (Guest): True-
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Lisa C: They did things with me and everything was done with love and everything was very special and specific.
May 7, 7:32 PM
SrSusan (Guest): In the sight of God I suspect no thing is too small for His grace or love to embellish
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Dawn (Guest): example. my grand dtr found a little rock while we were out on a walk. she handed it to me with such love in her eyes…I thought this is what she has to give and she is giving with it with love.
May 7, 7:32 PM
Lisa C: St. Francis even cared about bugs
SrSusan (Guest): That reminds me Dawn of a sweet thing like you just mentioned. In Bklyn where I lived, very few flowers grew. So a 2 yera old found a weed springing up between the cracks in the sidewalk and gave it to her grandma
:34 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It’s the Love that matters
May 7, 7:34 PM
Lisa C: No matter how small a thing is, if it is accompanied by love it is magnificent
, 7:34 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) When I was recovering from surgery a number of years ago, I remember a friend who did my laundry for me, and some other friends who came and cleaned my apartment. Some may think those are little things, but to me they were huge and I am forever grateful for them. Also, my friend who is a nurse came to give me a bath one day. That was really big!
May 7, 7:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): ah! yes, to her it was a beautiful gift. that is so sweet
Carol Ann: These are the acts of community, of family
May 7, 7:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes! and that’s why the poor can be happy
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Lisa C: Once I wrote a note to my father on a tiny scrap of paper and said he was my hero, and he still has it
May 7, 7:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): wow- how beautiful his heart is too
7, 7:36 PM
Lisa C: It was maybe an inch by an ince
May 7, 7:36 PM
Dawn (Guest): maybe even happier, Mother
May 7, 7:36 PM
Lisa C: inch
, 7:37 PM
Dawn (Guest): that is precious Lisa, and that he saved it PM
Lisa C: Mother, I hope my parents can come to the Fatima Mass next week, they said they will try
May 7, 7:38 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) When I was a teacher, I took a class to Flushing Meadow Park for a day of retreat. While we were there, I noticed a little boy, maybe about 2 years old, run up to who appeared to be his grandfather and went to put the bunch of dandelions he was holding into the man’s hand. The man brushed them away rather curtly. I wanted to cry. The little one thought he was doing something nice and saw the dandelions as beautiful.
May 7, 7:38 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I would be so happy if they do Lisa!
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Lisa C: So that is another little thing we can do, go to a Mass and say Rosaries, like Blessed Mother asked, and it helps save souls. So tiny a things helps God with His work.
May 7, 7:39 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): Hello 4322! Is that you Brian?
May 7, 7:39 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Hi CarolAnn, Lisa ,Judy ,Dawn , Sister Susan , and Guest ! God Bless You ! Brian
1 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think families as you mentioned Carol, are places where little things can bring sanctit PM
SrSusan (Guest): All is from God. BRB
May 7, 7:43 PM
Carol Ann: It is from our families that we learn values and what is important
May 7, 7:43 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Think of the Christmas Eve incident in the life of St. Therese when the family came home from Mass and the girls’ shoes were not out and filled with goodies as they had been in past years. This was a rather little thing, but large in Therese’s eyes. Her reaction was quite strong, but she prayed and overcame her hurt and was never the same.
May 7, 7:44 PM
Dawn (Guest): or the adults around us , the family community
May 7, 7:45 PM
Carol Ann: I remember that incident ans how young she was to have such an awareness
May 7, 7:45 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, family can be extended or nuclear
May 7, 7:45 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) I think she might have been twelve or 13.
May 7, 7:46 PM
Carol Ann: Whoever is with us when we are younces
May 7, 7:46 PM
Carol Ann: I think she was younger, Judy
May 7, 7:49 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): God is always teaching us that everyone is family ! I try to treat everyone as if they were already a part of God’s family even if they don’t know God yet or have rejected Him in some way !
May 7, 7:49 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Brian! that is the truth and what we are called to do. thank you
May 7, 7:51 PM
Carol Ann: It is a countercultural thing, to see all as famoly in a time when we are told to cut the cha llenging f r om our lives
May 7, 7:52 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) I checked–Therese was born in 1873 and the event happened in 1886, so she was 13.
May 7, 7:53 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) that’s paying attention to a small thing.
May 7, 7:54 PM
Carol Ann: And not letting a small thing get to you
May 7, 7:55 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Re: question 2– Was St. Francis belittling the little things. No, he was not making light of small things. He sees success in small matters as the pecursor to greater success in larger matters.
May 7, 7:56 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) In that he is imitating His Divine Master.
May 7, 7:59 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): We had a beautiful 20th Anniversary of Recpient Associate Managers at the Buffalo Psychiatric Hospital . This is the peer movement where people who have mental illness or family member with mental illness have taken on positions in hospital and community to lead and support those who are recovering . It is an amazing family of people who have started a movement which has changed mental health treatment in soo many ways .
May 7, 8:00 PM
Dawn (Guest): Ruth is that you?
May 7, 8:01 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) 4492 is Judy and 4322 is Brian.
May 7, 8:01 PM
Dawn (Guest): thanks
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Guest4322 (Guest): Countless stories of how peers small acts of love and understanding have jump started people into an amazing recovery ! Praise God !
May 7, 8:03 PM
May 7, 8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): Love is powerful
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Lisa C: Another thing that seems small, but is huge is prayer.
May 7, 8:04 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Powerful- even the smallest prayer
May 7, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann: That was odd. I was just logged off and when I logged back in the whole conversation is gone
4 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) I remember a story from long ago of how a small brother sang to his younger sibling, perhaps in utero, or in a neo-natal unit and helped his to stay alive. PM
Guest4322 (Guest): When we go through a difficult trial and then can help another person walk through that same trial that is truly God’s Love in Action !
May 7, 8:05 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Do you see it now Carol?
8:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Even one prayer can change one’s heart M
Lisa C: Our tiny sacrifice of bringing bread and wine to the altar, God transforms into Himself for us.
May 7, 8:06 PM
Carol Ann: No, it is all gone. I can try to pick up where we are
7, 8:08 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Wonderful interview on Ewtn with Ann G. Sister Susan !
May 7, 8:08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think as you said before the Little Way of St Therese is a good model for what we have been discussingm, and she was influenced thru her family and St Francis de Sales
May 7, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Glad you saw it!
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May 7, 8:10 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yet sometimes we fail in those little things; He lets us live out what we believe but we don’t always rise to the occsion
2 PM
SrSusan (Guest): So we need to turn to Him in repentance- also maybe a seemingly small action but writ large in eternity
May 7, 8:12 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Those works of Art must really be powerful to see in person you could see the impact they had on Jim and Joy ! Ann is a bright light for Jesus in the art community !
May 7, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): thats interesting Sr Susan….what you just wrote. that he lets us live out what we believe…
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Guest4322 (Guest): Those works of Art must really be powerful to see in person you could see the impact they had on Jim and Joy ! Ann is a bright light for Jesus in the art community !
May 7, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): thats interesting Sr Susan….what you just wrote. that he lets us live out what we believe…
May 7, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): there is much I don’t understand!
May 7, 8:12 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Brian- they are fabulous in person When it goes to Toledo I will let you know
May 7, 8:13 PM
Lisa C: Yes, Mother, I was listening to Concita Gonzalez, one of the Mystics from Garabandal, Spain, who said that we would all get a warning showing us all the things we did wrong and all the times we didn’t do things we could.
May 7, 8:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Dawn when I left the chat a few min ago- that was my experience
:13 PM
Lisa C: When it happens we would see how awful the omissions were
May 7, 8:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I had to handle a situation between a home care aide and a Sister
4 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Now for question 3- What does it mean to give God your hair? It is to give Him the small, unimportant things in your life. Little things we can do in day-to-day life to seek holiness–strive not to just do the job, but to do the job well; offer Him small sacrifices–passing up dessert; no sugar in coffee or tea or on cereal not complaining about a slight headache but offering it to the Lord; not complaining about the weather; accepting criticism quietly; bearing quietly the quirks of others;
May 7, 8:14 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) back criticism of others.
May 7, 8:14 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Thank You Sister Susan I would love to see them !
May 7, 8:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Started off ok but then I missed out on an opportunity of love
8:15 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Just like the Fatima children, Judy- they did so many little sacrifices 6 PM
Carol Ann: Judy I think accepting criticism is very difficult if the person feels it is unjustified. Sometimes critic u sm IS unjustified
May 7, 8:16 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Re learning about them gives me a bit more strength to try harder
May 7, 8:16 PM
Lisa C: Yes, the Fatima children would wait to drink when they were thirsty and give that to God
16 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) I am thrilled that they will be canonized and that Fr. Solanus Casey will be beatified. Such wonderful members of that cloud of witnesses. :18 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): When we direct our small actions throughout the day we truly become God’s instruments of peace !
May 7, 8:18 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Bon voyage ma soeur!
May 7, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: Mother, have a Blessed and safe trip
May 7, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann: What fun, Sr!
4 PM
Lisa C: I wonder about how an Order that is primarily praying needs to update
May 7, 8:24 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Perhaps kind of like Mayor Koch who used to ask “How am I doing?”
May 7, 8:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Mother ,and all sisters, for all you do. and for your prayers
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SrSusan (Guest): Next Sunday I will be in France so I will not be at chat. I hope to be here the following Sun thw 21st
May 7, 8:18 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): When we direct our small actions throughout the day we truly become God’s instruments of peace !
May 7, 8:18 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Bon voyage ma soeur!
May 7, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: Mother, have a Blessed and safe trip
May 7, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann: What fun, Sr!
May 7, 8:19 PM
Dawn (Guest): sounds wonderful Mother, have a blessed and joyful time. I imagine it is beautiful there at this time of year. maybe any time
May 7, 8:19 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It is a planning meeting for our General Assembly in Sept
May 7, 8:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Foothills of the Alps- yes, beautiful but no doubt busy and my French is poor
May 7, 8:20 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Watch out for the French pastries. I found the Belgian ones even better. I hope you have a glorious and blessed time preparing for your General Assembly. That’s a huge task!
May 7, 8:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But they are so kind
May 7, 8:20 PM
Lisa C: Is the General Assembly also there?
May 7, 8:20 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Have a wonderful trip Sister Susan ! Lian is Graduating from St Bonaventure next weekend !
May 7, 8:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes in Annecy in Sept
May 7, 8:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Wonderful Congrats to her for me and my prayers
May 7, 8:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): congratulation to Lian
May 7, 8:21 PM
Carol Ann: Blessed & safe journey
May 7, 8:21 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) ?What generally happens at a general assembly?
May 7, 8:21 PM
Carol Ann: Good job Lian!
May 7, 8:22 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Congratulations and many blessings, Lian!!
May 7, 8:23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I have never been at one= its por first in 25 years. But we will work with the new norms from the Pope and our Constitutions and how we can be a presence to people today
May 7, 8:24 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Brian- which day next weekend is Lian’s graduation
May 7, 8:24 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Thank You we are very proud of Lian she worked very hard at school and learned a lot about journalism ! Praise God !
May 7, 8:24 PM
Lisa C: I wonder about how an Order that is primarily praying needs to update
May 7, 8:24 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) Perhaps kind of like Mayor Koch who used to ask “How am I doing?”
May 7, 8:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Mother ,and all sisters, for all you do. and for your prayers
May 7, 8:26 PM
SrSusan (Guest): The Holy Father wants all contemplatives to hasve Eucharistic adoration and invite people in for it, for ex
May 7, 8:26 PM
Lisa C: That is good
May 7, 8:26 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): Candlelight ceremony Friday Night , Honors Award LunchbSaturdayv113O am Graduation Mass Saturday evening, and Graduation Sunday Morning1000am
May 7, 8:26 PM
SrSusan (Guest): 9 years instead of six before finsal vows and such
May 7, 8:26 PM
Carol Ann: Longer for final vows ?
May 7, 8:27 PM
Dawn (Guest): that is a good thing!
May 7, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Wow that is some schedule Brian!! Beautiful
May 7, 8:27 PM
Lisa C: Maybe teaching public school kids religion
May 7, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): No teaching is not a part of the contemplative norms
May 7, 8:28 PM
Carol Ann: Why is the time for final vows being extended?
May 7, 8:28 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) I imagine that there could be an addition to, or deletions from the prayer life, perhaps an adjustment in the Liturgy of the Hours, which ones are prayed. Yes, a Eucharistic Holy Hour is just wonderful!
May 7, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes longer for final vows- too many leave after final profession
May 7, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I’ll let you know after the meeting
May 7, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: I thank God for my VA teachers
29 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): A lot of great traditions at St Bonaventure ! Wonderful family all the Alumni , Lian will shed many tears !
May 7, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: Travel safely in God’s hands
May 7, 8:29 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I guess you recommend the Unversity then?
May 7, 8:26 PM
Carol Ann: Longer for final vows ?
May 7, 8:27 PM
Dawn (Guest): that is a good thing!
May 7, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Wow that is some schedule Brian!! Beautiful
May 7, 8:27 PM
Lisa C: Maybe teaching public school kids religion
May 7, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): No teaching is not a part of the contemplative norms
May 7, 8:28 PM
Carol Ann: Why is the time for final vows being extended?
May 7, 8:28 PM
Guest4492 (Guest): (Judy) I imagine that there could be an addition to, or deletions from the prayer life, perhaps an adjustment in the Liturgy of the Hours, which ones are prayed. Yes, a Eucharistic Holy Hour is just wonderful!
May 7, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes longer for final vows- too many leave after final profession
May 7, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I’ll let you know after the meeting
May 7, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: I thank God for my VA teachers
29 PM
Guest4322 (Guest): A lot of great traditions at St Bonaventure ! Wonderful family all the Alumni , Lian will shed many tears !
May 7, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: Travel safely in God’s hands
May 7, 8:29 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I guess you recommend the Unversity then?
May 7, 8:30 PM