SrSusan (guest): Hi everyone!
Sep 29 2013, 7:28 PM
K (guest): Hello Sister.
Sep 29 2013, 7:28 PM
SrSusan (guest): Cool here too!
Sep 29 2013, 7:28 PM
A: Hi Sister Susan
Sep 29 2013, 7:29 PM
SrSusan (guest): Hi A Saw you became a member!
SrSusan (guest): We had 4 women here this week at different times for discernment retreat
SrSusan (guest): So I wondered if you would like to have a chat on what that might be like on a discernment retraet
K (guest): wonderful to hear to hear so many are discerning. Yes the topic of discernment retreat sound great.
Sep 29 2013, 7:30 PM
l: I would like that!
Sep 29 2013, 7:31 PM
Vk: yes, please
Sep 29 2013, 7:31 PM
SrSusan (guest): Sometimes discerners are both pleased and disappointed at the same time during the retreat
Sep 29 2013, 7:32 PM
SrSusan (guest): The prayer life and solitude as well as community recreations match expectations but then
S
Sep 29 2013, 7:32 PM
Vk: it’s easy to get caught up in incidentals
Sep 29 2013, 7:33 PM
SrSusan (guest): what do you think might be happening here
Sep 29 2013, 7:33 PM
l: I’m trying not to have expectations!
Sep 29 2013, 7:33 PM
SrSusan (guest): You said it Valerie
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V: I’m learning the hard way, SSM
Sep 29 2013, 7:33 PM
K (guest): discovering that we must give up some personal preferences
Sep 29 2013, 7:34 PM
SrSusan (guest): The independence of a mature woman discerning is greater than you even think and community life is based very much on sharing and in fact, permissions
Sep 29 2013, 7:34 PM
V: none of it matters if GOD is calling you, but it’s hard to let go even for Him.
Sep 29 2013, 7:34 PM
SrSusan (guest): not some, but many more than some
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A I was just thinking that the idea of the retreat was to learn about your way
SrSusan (guest): It is to learn about a whole new way of life and sometimes values, depending on the person of course
Sep 29 2013, 7:36 PM
l: Can I bring a portable hair dryer?
Sep 29 2013, 7:36 PM
SrSusan (guest): If you have an assigment it is important to do it well, say, but more important is how you relate with the person you are working with
SrSusan (guest): Yes, hair dryer ok
K (guest): to abandon all to the perfect will of God for the community and each individual?
Sep 29 2013, 7:37 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes that would express it well
Sep 29 2013, 7:37 PM
l: Is one of the Sisters assigned to us as a guide?
Sep 29 2013, 7:37 PM
At: weird question but i wear makeup is that permitted on retreat?
Sep 29 2013, 7:37 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes for makeup on retreat
Sep 29 2013, 7:38 PM
l: No perfume here!
Sep 29 2013, 7:38 PM
At: thank you for the tip!
Sep 29 2013, 7:38 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes I and the ass’t novice mistress guide you and the novices also spend time with you alone
SrSusan (guest): For ex we had the novices share a walk, take one of the discerners to class, with the children, also they attended a formation class to see what that is like
Sep 29 2013, 7:40 PM
K (guest): Good, I would really like to talk and get advise from someone.
Sep 29 2013, 7:40 PM
SrSusan (guest): Can’t help with the plane but I will pray! I can give you more details about the program; the experience is up to you and the Lord
Sep 29 2013, 7:39 PM
SrSusan (guest): For ex we had the novices share a walk, take one of the discerners to class, with the children, also they attended a formation class to see what that is like
Sep 29 2013, 7:40 PM
Sep 29 2013, 7:40 PM
SrSusan (guest): The Superior may also take you for a conference if you wish and she has the time
Sep 29 2013, 7:40 PM
l: I’m coming from Idaho; long trip!
Sep 29 2013, 7:41 PM
A: I am in Maine, originally from NY
Sep 29 2013, 7:41 PM
SrSusan (guest): I spent an hour or more with each more than once and so there will be time to get feedback. Also Sr Gail the assistant can dio that for you
Sep 29 2013, 7:43 PM
SrSusan (guest): The other advantage was each discerner was there when another was also discerning so they had the companionship and ability to compare notes and experiences
Sep 29 2013, 7:43 PM
SrSusan (guest): I mean speak with you and discern with you or just caht
Sep 29 2013, 7:44 PM
SrSusan (guest): chat
Sep 29 2013, 7:44 PM
A that would seem beneficial to have others there too
PM
Kim (guest): Yes that sounds good.
Sep 29 2013, 7:44 PM
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SrSusan (guest): The day will begin with meditation if you can get up that early! otherwise, morning prayer, chanted
Sep 29 2013, 7:47 PM
A: what time is early sister?
SrSusan (guest): 6AM for meditation
47 PM
A: I am an early riser also
I
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
K(guest): Do all Visitation communities use the same chant?
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
Valerie Kolárik: I rise at 4am every morning
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (guest): Morning prayer is at 7 weekdays; 730 Sat
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes we all use the one Abbot Marcel Rooney created for us
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
V I LOVE the Visitation Chant!
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (guest): in the USA
Sep 29 2013, 7:48 PM
Sep 29 2013, 7:49 PM
V: I love the silence
Sep 29 2013, 7:49 PM
K (guest): I am a morning person, yes I love the silence too.
Sep 29 2013, 7:50 PM
SrSusan (guest): The choir is so silent in the morning and the Lord just fills it and us.
Sep 29 2013, 7:50 PM
K (guest): BEAUTIFUL!
SrSusan (guest): Then as the sun dawns it shines thru the golden/red Sacred Heart stained glass window and it seems as if throbbing with Love
:51 PM
V: wow!
Sep 29 2013, 7:51 PM
A I can picture it
Ki(guest): Oh, my heart!
Sep 29 2013, 7:52 PM
SrSusan (guest): It really is extraordinary. Holy Mass follows and we have a number of good priests who offer the Mass for us
A: I feel like something is missing just out of my grasp
K (guest): I feel unsettled and restless.
Sep 29 2013, 7:55 PM
SrSusan (guest): Well it wasn’t so peaceful really. When everyone is getting married and you feel you should not but don’t know why not- very confusing
Sep 29 2013, 7:55 PM
l: I know these feelings
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A: that too
l: People and their many opinions don’t help either!
Sep 29 2013, 7:56 PM
SrSusan (guest): The prayer centered me and then I said why can’t I do this for the rest of my life- pray. And I knew they prayed alot in monasteries so I figured I should visit one
Sep 29 2013, 7:56 PM
V Do you have a support group, Lois?
Sep 29 2013, 7:58 PM
A: My sister has known for a long time how i feel but said she would die if she saw me as a nun…I assume die laughing
SrSusan (guest): My dear friends, as Sr Roberta is here I am going to sign off