Sister Susan Marie: I’m fine. We had quite a week last week with some of our chatters meeting here in Brooklyn on retreat!
Oct 27 2013, 7:06 PM
B (guest): yes that is so exciting!
Oct 27 2013, 7:06 PM
Sister Susan Marie: 4 women at once, each with a beautiful soul. So enriching for us!
Sister Susan Marie: I was hoping one of them might want to share post-retreat thoughts! PM
B(guest): they have subsided, but 300 people have lost their homes or they are damaged. umm I haven’t heard that. But it has been declared a natural disaster
Oct 27 2013, 7:08 PM
B (guest): oh yes that would be good to hear
Oct 27 2013, 7:08 PM
B(guest): they came from all parts of US too?
Oct 27 2013, 7:08 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes. Idaho, Tennessee, upper NY and one from NYC
Oct 27 2013, 7:09 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Then I had a call from California the other night
:09 PM
B(guest): wow that would have been interesting with the different accents.
Sister Susan Marie: But one of them had a good insight from a priest for discernment
Oct 27 2013, 7:11 PM
Sister Susan Marie: He said: in a life like this it has to fit you like a glove
11 PM
Oct 27 2013, 7:11 PM
B (guest): oh thats fantastic. wow thats incredible
Sister Susan Marie: Not to put you too much on the spot L, but what would be the difference in your image of the Monastery before you came here and then after?
Oct 27 2013, 7:28 PM
V: great question,SSM!
Oct 27 2013, 7:29 PM
Sister Susan Marie: We can prepare the others!
7:30 PM
l: I think I was not terribly surprised although I saw the Sisters as real human beings and not as something above all of us! It was delightful to get to know them and see the humbleness of everyone!
l: I spent a lot of time alone, reading, meditating, in chapel for prayers and that sort of thing. I really needed that!
l I had a type of Marian experience while there showing me that I must take what
Oct 27 2013, 7:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie: If we had a Visitation out west that would be ideal but we don’t
l: God has shown me and ponder them in my heart!
l: Beautiful grounds to walk and you can hear the ship horns from the harbor! 2013, 7:35 PM
V: oh, I like that, L!
Oct 27 2013, 7:35 PM
A: sounds awesome L
:35 PM
l: I didn’t realize how busy the monastery was!
Oct 27 2013, 7:35 PM
A: how so?
V: L, how did you feel about the chanting? I love Visitandine chant!
Oct 27 2013, 7:36 PM
l: I loved the chant!
V: lol, that’s like the Benedictine Priory where I’m an Oblate1
013, 7:37 PM
A: it all sounds interesting
l: There is always the sound of the doorbell or the rings for the different Sisters
V: How many floors are there at the Monastery?
Oct 27 2013, 7:39 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Regular floors, 4, not counting basement and attic
Oct 27 2013, 7:39 PM
Sister Susan Marie: But the elevator does not go to the top floor where I live
Oct 27 2013, 7:39 PM
V: Is the Chapel on the first floor?
Oct 27 2013, 7:39 PM
V: Is it warmer on the top floor, SSM?
Oct 27 2013, 7:39 PM
Guest397 (guest): What time is daily mass?
Oct 27 2013, 7:39 PM
Sister Susan Marie: yes, main floor BUT in a different building so it is connected by Stairs- 5 or 6- but there;s an elevette and a chair lift
Sister Susan Marie: 730AM Mass Mon-Fri; Sat 8A Sun 9A
V so it is easy for the elderly sisters to get to the chapel?
Oct 27 2013, 7:40 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes warmer in the attic and the top floor!
Sister Susan Marie: With the chair lift and elevette, yes, but it does contribute to the “sound effects”
PM
Guest397 (guest): Me too. It looks like the beginning of January. Actually that might be perfect with the change in my original plan to go in November. I realize now how much I want to go
Guest397 (guest): Maybe just talking about discernment. I’m excited about the retreat, but what about after? I’ve been praying a lot on this
Sister Susan Marie: After? I think you might want to continue discernment based on your retreat OR become more familiar with Salesian Spirituality wherever you are
V: I love the Visitation of Mary to Elizbeth!
1 PM
Sister Susan Marie: very multi leveled passage and event
Oct 27 2013, 8:01 PM
Guest397 (guest): I never appreciated that mystery until lately, in fact this past week
PM
A: Multi leveled?
Oct 27 2013, 8:01 PM
V: so rich, SSM! God is good!
Oct 27 2013, 8:01 PM
Guest397 (guest): Explain multi leveled
Oct 27 2013, 8:02 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes- on one level it is Blessed Mother’s act of charity; on another it is a very pro life statement; on another elderly and the young- a generational sharing; then again a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit in the passage like charismatic
, 8:03 PM
At: wow!
Oct 27 2013, 8:03 PM
V: it is such a rich passage, worthy of a life-time of contemplation!