- In connection with Saint Francis’ reflection, what does it mean to choose “the better part” that Jesus speaks of to Martha and Mary (see Luke 10:38-42)? Â It is merely silent prayer alone?
- How can we consider this reflection in connection with the story of Elijah meeting God, where God was not in the various forces of nature, but instead “after the fire a still small voice” was heard (see 1 Kings 19:11-18)?
- Encouraged by Saint Teresa’s words, how might we make ourselves more able to avail ourselves of the grace of quite prayer?
- How might we better hear the voice of God?
Sister Susan Marie: I hope you are all feeling in sync with prayer tonight
Feb 1 2015, 7:16 PM
KarenP (guest): I am looking forward to gaining a great deal from this chat
Sister Susan Marie: I think we each mite need to share a little on our main way of praying and then some resistance we mite have to certain forms of prayer- as a way to begin- unless you have entry questions
KarenP (guest): I am good with sharing and I don’t know that I have any questions yet other than just wanting to make sure I understand how the chat works. Do we take turns with the sharing or just type in when we want to share?
Feb 1 2015, 7:19 PM
Sister Susan Marie: A little of both probably- type what you can= it gets posted in its own sequence
For ex I first learned to pray with a Scriptural prayer group at my parish- and that’s what led me to the monastic vocation
KarenP (guest): Alright. My main way of praying is a mixed sort of conversation throughout the day interspersed with bits and pieces of prayers such as the our father. I also try to pray the rosary daily, and I think I probably average 4-5 times weekly on a regular basis. 3 PM
Anne M: seem that for the longest time I am distracted and dry. Wasn’t always like this.
Feb 1 2015, 7:24 PM
KarenP (guest): Would a scriptural prayer group be something like a study using scripture or praying particular scriptures regulary?
Sister Susan Marie: St Francis de Sales would say keep praying as the Lord appreciates your effort and there will be less self love in it-
Anne M: Morning, evening, and night prayer. Scripture reading, rosary.
Sister Susan Marie: e used the Bible and actually prayed thru the passages- what the passage meant to us or what we understood by it- different than study
Sister Susan Marie: Hi Alice
KarenP (guest): Anne – I find that I run in spurts of being very prayerful and then having times when I seem to be more distracted and less able to pray also. What I have found is that as long as I want to pray, the dryness does pass. And I trust the Holy Spirit to pray for me in the meantime.
KarenP (guest): I took part in a prayer study called Oremus that introduced us to different types of prayer. We also prayed used scripture in that and tried to meditate on the scripture. Sometimes that was very good and other times I just didnt connect with the scripture very well.
KarenP (guest): Hello everyone joining!
Anne M: I feel closest to the Lord when I stop with the vocal and just focus on the Lord. I guess let Him lead, as I should
7:29 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Prayer is a heart to heart relationship and that’s why it is hard when prayer is dry- can’t seem to hear the Lord
Anne M: Just like the Liturgy of the Hours, Karen. Sometimes it jumps out at me, other times not
KarenP (guest): I have been trying to do the Liturgy of the Hours recently. I am seeing the Psalms in a different light this way.
Judy K: I was seriously preoccupied with some financial shenanigans last week and completely forgot about the chat.
Sister Susan Marie: Do most of us here do the Liturgy of the Hours some of the time, or most of it? Some of the psalms are very powerful to our immediate concerns
Sister Susan Marie: One time I remember we had a flood in the basement and after cleaning up, when to pray the Friday Office- the first psalm was – the water has risen to my neck!!
KarenP (guest): I am just starting so some of the time for me. I don’t get to do them at the hours noted due to working, but try to read through the missed ones when evening comes.
Feb 1 2015, 7:33 PM
Anne M: LOL )
Dawn L: I began praying the Liturgy few weeks ago, usually when I first wake and before sleep
Judy K: I love the Liturgy of the Hours which I pray daily. I feel that I am really a part of the Church, united with the entire Church in this prayer. I find the Psalms so related to life. Their beauty is wonderful. And I think that they express the full range of emotions that most of us go through.
KarenP (guest): I also find that they have a wonderful range of emotion that expresses much of what I often feel.
Feb 1 2015, 7:34 PM
Dawn L: I agree Judy
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I pray the liturgy of the hours daily for years now but only morning evening and night prayer
KarenP (guest): When you pray the liturgy, do you find one of the Psalms that stands out and then think about it or mostly read through them from start to finish? I sometimes feel like when I just read through that I am not really prayfully praying.
Feb 1 2015, 7:38 PM
Sister Susan Marie: That is what I do on retreat when praying privately- but in the monastery here we just keep on going. In our Minn Monastery they pause to share after each one
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I know what you mean about a part standing out or speaking to you. Happens regularly. I read it all
Anne M: I read them slowly, then pause briefly afterwa
Dawn L: but sometimes it will just be very still. same when praying rosary, sometimes a stillness
Guest1829 (guest): I read through it all, too.
Judy K: My favorite Psalm is 63, the first Psalm in Morning Prayer, Sunday, Week 1. “O God You are my God, for You I long, for You my soul is thirsting.” That best expresses my relationship with the Lord. Karen, I agree about reading through the Psalms and feeling that you are not really praying. You might try praying at least one of the Psalms very slowly and reflectively.
KarenP (guest): I find that sometimes I have a hard time getting still in prayer. I can get caught up in getting through. So rereading and thinking about why one might be speaking more to me might be a good way to focus more on praying it.
Judy K: I notice that most of you use the word “read” when speaking about the Liturgy of the Hours. Maybe that is where the trouble comes in. Are you (we) reading the hours, or praying them. In praying, we need to put our whole selves into the words and thoughts. Reading them can mean just virtually skimming over the Psalms and not really attending to them.
Feb 1 2015, 7:43 PM
Ruth Cassin: Sometimes the psalms are just what we need to say. Sometimes not so much.
Ruth Cassin: Good point Judy
Sister Susan Marie: Hi Carol Anne
Ruth Cassin: I am a very slow reader, almost always, no matter what.
Sister Susan Marie: Yes praying them mite mean staying with just one word or phrase- but again can’t do that in community prayer
Sister Susan Marie: We become one in community prayer and it is for the people in the world- the intention that is
Ruth Cassin: Yes, Sr. Susan, that is something I’ve noticed — especially in my experience with Venio — Benedictines in Munich.
KarenP (guest): I think that I find it easier to be in conversation with God more through my thinking and feeling like we are talking together. When I read something already prepared, it can pull me in, but not always. That seems to be when I feel like I am just reading them. I know that when we do these in a group we have to go along with the printed, but I think for meditating on them, maybe I should read less and focus more on that which speaks to me.
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: And wouldn’t you need to eventually pray the whole psalm to get the full meaning?
Guest1829 (guest): Hi, Carol Ann
Anne M: In response to your question, Sister, I find that leaving the vocal behind helps during prayer. Feel much closer to the Lord. Even not saying anything at all
Sister Susan Marie: St Jane de Chantal always said that the Visitandine prayer ultimately was a simple gaze on God
Sister Susan Marie: Hi Amy!
Dawn L: beautiful
Amy Cochran: Hi Sister
Anne M: Sometimes I feel guilty doing that, as we cannot neglect certain vocal prayers, right?
Judy K: I really thought about “choosing the better part.” We have tended to think of it as that silent prayer we all desire. But I am wondering if it is not more “living in union with the will of God.” For that is truly the better part. We might choose the silent prayer, but the Lord might prefer another type of prayer for us. Imagine of one were to attempt to dwell in that silent prayer all the time. That could mean that food is not prepared, laundry not done, the house not cleaned, etc.
Feb 1 2015, 7:48 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes the whole psalm gives the fuller meaning Alice
Sister Susan Marie: Yes thats so Judy!!
Ruth Cassin: wow, I love that Sr. Susan. Remindes me of that little bird that makes it’s nest on the sea, with an opening only to the sky.
Feb 1 2015, 7:48 PM
KarenP (guest): I like the idea of a simple gaze on God. I think that says what I think of when I think of Mary sitting and listening to the Lord. Just sitting, listening, and gazing at him. Feeling his presence and love with or without words.
Judy K: The silent prayer could be a form of avoidance behavior. Who really likes to clean and cook and all of that good stuff!
Ruth Cassin: St. FdS wrote about it in a letter.
Carol Ann: But you can keep silence in your heart as you go about your duties, and so pray always
Amy Cochran: st. Paul said to pray unceasingly.
Guest1829 (guest): Duties can be a prayer, as well
Ruth Cassin: Judy, it could be. I think that is why the regulated — a time for everything — life of the convent or monastery could be a good thing.
KarenP (guest): I pray as I do the daily tasks that are not much fun. That is when I pray that I am grateful for having dishes to wash and then I pray for those who have need of dishes. I think praying unceasingly means to continue to think and pray throughout our activities.
.
Feb 1 2015, 7:50 PM
KarenP (guest): But I also agree that when we pray vocal prays in group or even at home alone, that is when I think about being part of the universal church in prayer.
Feb 1 2015, 7:51 PM
Judy K: That simple gaze of God is something I always find during Eucharistic Adoration. Something else that I really try to do during the time of adoration is to remain in adoration the entire time. No petition, rosary, Liturgy of the Hours or anything else. Just prayers of praise.
Feb 1 2015, 7:51 PM
Dawn L: Deacon James Keating from Communion With Christ says…prayer is not our search for meaning- thats not prayer. Prayer is a response to a presense that has already entered our reality, to someone who is already there.”
Feb 1 2015, 7:52 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes and the spiritual Directory advises to ask for grace for each of these actions, doing dishes etc- so that’s a prayer too
Feb 1 2015, 7:52 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Beautiful idea Dawn
Feb 1 2015, 7:52 PM
KarenP (guest): I love the wording of that Dawn. Thank you for sharing that!
Dawn L: it is beautiful. Perhaps Deacon Keatings gift was his series on Communion With Christ
Feb 1 2015, 7:53 PM
Judy K: I have always amused when someone begins a prayer session or prayer service by saying “Let us enter into God’s presence.” We are already in God’s presence and are in His presence every moment of every day. What we need to do is to become aware of His presence.
KarenP (guest): So do the sisters who pray together regularly and privately also have dry times as we mentioned earlier? I have always thought this to be natural to humans, but wondered if it gets less frequent for those who pray in community.
Feb 1 2015, 7:55 PM
Ruth Cassin: Tasks that don’t engage the mind intensively are well suited to be times of prayer.
Feb 1 2015, 7:55 PM
Sister Susan Marie: I think most individuals go thru it- but in community the beauty of say a chant in harmony can stir the soul
Feb 1 2015, 7:55 PM
KarenP (guest): Good point, Judy.
Feb 1 2015, 7:56 PM
Ruth Cassin: At Venio, we still SANG — in Latin — most of the prayers.
M
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I pray the rosary when I clean and when I drive
Feb 1 2015, 7:56 PM
Judy K: I think that everyone experiences dryness in prayer. Therese of Lisieux and Teresa of Avila both experienced great aridity in prayer.
Carol Ann: Do you think that aridity is a test meant to bring us closer to God?
Feb 1 2015, 7:57 PM
Anne M: I like to go to sit in the chapel with the Carmelites, because it does help stir my soul to hear community prayer
Feb 1 2015, 7:58 PM
KarenP (guest): I also pray the rosary in the car when I am on the way to work or starting on a road trip. I like to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet then also. Makes me feel that I am more aware of God’s presence as I begin my day or trip.
Feb 1 2015, 7:58 PM
Sister Susan Marie: The Rosary can be very meditative and soothing as well. Yes aridity, even St Jane had 40 years of it and Bl Theresa of Calcutta I
Feb 1 2015, 7:58 PM
Amy Cochran: I think when you first get to know God, you get many consolations, but as love grows, like any relationship, God doesn’t give you as much because you love Him for Himself, not for what He gives
Feb 1 2015, 7:58 PM
Judy K: I had one more thought about silent prayer. One could actually spend much time in the prayer of silence but not really emptying oneself. I think that I tend to look for the Lord to make Himself known to me, to give me some assurance of His presence, rather than waiting on Him to do whatever He wills in my prayer.
Feb 1 2015, 7:58 PM
Sister Susan Marie: It brings us to truer prayer in the sense of fewer consolations so we are generous in a different way in sticking with it when we don’t feel anything
Feb 1 2015, 7:58 PM
Dawn L: Did St Jane experience that continually or just at times?
Feb 1 2015, 7:59 PM
Anne M: holy numbness ?
Feb 1 2015, 7:59 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Most of the time as I understand it-I’ll check with Sr Roberta when she signs in!
Feb 1 2015, 8:00 PM
Judy K: Ooo, Anne, I like that.
Mary Roberta Viano: I haven’t read enough of her life to know.
Feb 1 2015, 8:00 PM
Ruth Cassin: Judy, I think that is why it must be really helpful to make ones presence in a group of people praying an important part of ones prayer life.
Feb 1 2015, 8:00 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Whatever she experienced, she certainly didn’t let it stop her from founding 80 Visitation houses by the time she died.
Feb 1 2015, 8:00 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Hi Sister! Oh ok
Feb 1 2015, 8:00 PM
Anne M: Hi Sister M Roberta
Feb 1 2015, 8:00 PM
Dawn L: what is happening when it becomes dry? Does God test us, I did not think he did
KarenP (guest): I am thinking that prayer is the way we show God that we want to build a closer relationship with him and so it is up to us to continue this even when we are not feeling the response. And I wonder if we don’t feel the response because as St. Theresa noted there is something in us blocking it. God may be responding all along?
Feb 1 2015, 8:02 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: For me, feeling dryness means not praying as willingly and in as focused a way as I should.
Feb 1 2015, 8:02 PM
Dawn L: Can we become to attached to seeking an experience in prayer that is consoling, just for itself?
Judy K: I don’t think that God so much tests us as challenges us. What will we do with the dryness, the frustration, the emptiness. Will we persevere in prayer, or allow ourselves to turn away because of the difficulties. The dryness can be an opportunity to practice trust in the Lord, to trust that He is faithful even if we feel lost, abandoned, or worn out.
Feb 1 2015, 8:04 PM
Ruth Cassin: Funny, everyone seems to be thinking of prayer as mostly something people do sitting down.
Feb 1 2015, 8:04 PM
Dawn L: ST Theresa …something blocking us, because God is always there
irection: “although our taste and self-esteem finds sweetness and tenderness more pleasing, dryness is more profitable, more to God’s taste and to His love.”
Feb 1 2015, 8:05 PM
Guest1829 (guest): St Therese wrote prayer is an aspiration of the heart,a simple glance directed toward Heaven,a cry of gratitude in the midst of trial as well as joy
Feb 1 2015, 8:05 PM
Dawn L: Ah! thank you Sr Mary Roberta
Feb 1 2015, 8:05 PM
Ruth Cassin: David danced or lept before the Arch of the Covenant. John lept in his mother’s womb when Mary, as Arch of the new Covenant entered the room.
Feb 1 2015, 8:05 PM
Anne M: Thank you M Roberta. That is a consolation to hear.
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, that’s why I like ejaculatory prayer so much – just a quick word or glance toward God.
Feb 1 2015, 8:06 PM
Anne M: yes
Feb 1 2015, 8:06 PM
Amy Cochran: i have heard that also, Sister, that dryness is a time of spiritual growth
Feb 1 2015, 8:06 PM
KarenP (guest): ejaculatory prayer is a new one to me!
Feb 1 2015, 8:07 PM
KarenP (guest): I know when I am having that dryness, I find I cry out to the Holy Spirit to help me more in the praying by praying for me what I should until I can do so again. PM
Ruth Cassin: Yes Sr. M Roberta. How often “Oh God HELP!” has been an important prayer.
Feb 1 2015, 8:08 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I like what SFdS wrote in another letter on the subject, too: “Lord, I want no more joy in my faithe, nor in my hope, nor in my charity, than to be able to say in very truth although without tasting or feeling it, that I would rather die than give up my fair, my hope, my charity.”
Feb 1 2015, 8:08 PM
KarenP (guest): Well then I do that a lot!
Feb 1 2015, 8:09 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: oops! faith, not faith and faith, not fair1
Feb 1 2015, 8:09 PM
Amy Cochran: that’s beautiful
s anyone here ever wake up praying or singing hymns.
Feb 1 2015, 8:11 PM
Ruth Cassin: And the Holy Spirit can pray in and through you.
Feb 1 2015, 8:11 PM
Anne M: I love that!
Feb 1 2015, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Funny how we long so much for consolation in prayer…Holy Father SFdS says: “God does not want you to feel you faith, your hope and your charity, nor does He want you to have the enjoyment or use of them except what is needed for your bare existence and on occasions of absolute need.” (to SJdC)
Feb 1 2015, 8:11 PM
Judy K: Yes Anne. I do occasionally wake up praying or singing a hymn.
Feb 1 2015, 8:11 PM
Ruth Cassin: Praying in tongues is said to be yielding to the Holy Spirit, who’s a whole lot better at prayer than we are.
Feb 1 2015, 8:11 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, Anne, I do, all the time
Feb 1 2015, 8:12 PM
KarenP (guest): I try to begin a prayer when I first wake up.
Feb 1 2015, 8:12 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Once or twice I did
Anne M: The Lord must find He can get through to me better when i’m sleepin’. LOL
Feb 1 2015, 8:12 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I say thank you for this day!
Feb 1 2015, 8:13 PM
KarenP (guest): I also try to be praying as I fall asleep. I like to think that I am focusing my thoughts on him first and last thing.
Feb 1 2015, 8:13 PM
Amy Cochran: i keep a psalter next to my bed and start with a psalm
Feb 1 2015, 8:13 PM
Ruth Cassin: Anne M, Yes, the Lord gives to his own in their sleep.
n in their sleep.
Feb 1 2015, 8:14 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Parents love their children even when sleeping-St Therese
Feb 1 2015, 8:14 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Can taht be the still small voice, an expression of it? in sleep?
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Carol Ann: He likes to wake me up at three am so we can chat
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Amy Cochran: Didn’t St. Therese fall asleep in Adoration?
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes!
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Anne M: I think it is, Sister.
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Ruth Cassin: Yes, Guest 1829. Sometimes they even love ’em better when they are asleep — less annoying!
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I think so Sister!
Feb 1 2015, 8:15 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Yes, but she didn’t let it bother her
Judy K: Elijah met God in the small whispering sound rather than in the earthquake, or the fire. Perhaps we look for God in the mighty works (loudness, if you will) rather than in the quiet mundane acts of daily living. Perhaps we think that God should make a big show, rather speaking in the small tasks of every day.
Feb 1 2015, 8:17 PM
KarenP (guest): I am thinking about the quote that Sr. Mary Roberta shared last – is not wanting us to feel the faith hope and charity to keep us humble and know that it is God who works in us rather than ourselves?
Feb 1 2015, 8:17 PM
Judy K: Welcome guest 6606!
Feb 1 2015, 8:17 PM
PM
Guest6606 (guest): Thank you!
Feb 1 2015, 8:17 PM
Guest6606 (guest): I’m glad to join
Feb 1 2015, 8:18 PM
Guest6606 (guest): I’m from Oregon
Feb 1 2015, 8:18 PM
Ruth Cassin: We are from all across the US
Feb 1 2015, 8:18 PM
KarenP (guest): Welcome guest 6606 and any others I may have missed. This is my first time also. It seems to be a nice way to share!
Feb 1 2015, 8:18 PM
Judy K: I think that there are several of us here in NY.
Carol Ann: A couple of Californians
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Amy Cochran: a vermonter
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Coloradan
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Ruth Cassin: I’m in NY — way upstate, almost to the Canadian border, in the Adirondack Park/
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Anne M: a Michigander
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
KarenP (guest): I’m in florida
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: There’s no distance between those who love God and are called according to His purpose!
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Sister Susan Marie: DC too
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Brooklyn NY for me
Feb 1 2015, 8:19 PM
Guest6606 (guest): I’m a Catholic, and I’m hoping to embrace the fellowship of Christ
Feb 1 2015, 8:20 PM
Ruth Cassin: It kinda helps having the internet to help bridge the distance too.
Feb 1 2015, 8:20 PM
Judy K: Though we may be scattered geographically, we seem to be close in spirituality and enjoy sharing it with one another.
KarenP (guest): Technology can be a positive thing if that is what we choose to use it for!
Feb 1 2015, 8:20 PM
Guest6606 (guest): and to learn more about Religious vocation
Feb 1 2015, 8:20 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Back to prayer difficulties, I think it’s like the discomfort an athlete has to suffer to succeed: “In time of dryyness our will forces us to the service of God as if by violence.” (SFdS)
Feb 1 2015, 8:20 PM
Anne M: Not to change the subject, but my pastor’s interiews on Women of Grace will air this week! I love my pastor!
Feb 1 2015, 8:21 PM
Anne M: Interviews
Feb 1 2015, 8:21 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: This is a wonderful spot for that 6606
KarenP (guest): That is an interesting way to look at it Sr. Mary Roberta. I guess anytime we want to get better at something we have to expect to go through some difficulty.
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Guest6606 (guest): So, is there a special topic that we are discussing tonight?
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Anne M: EWTN – Women of Grace with Johnette B
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Sister Susan Marie: 6606, some here are discerning others not but all are spiritual and committed
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Judy K: EWTN 11:00 AM daily.
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Here’s the newsletter 6606
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Carol Ann: That’s so cool, Anne
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: so, in dryness, our will “must be more vigorous and constant (stronger) than in the time of consolation,” S.Francis says.
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Sister Susan Marie: In a minute!
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Anne M: He’s also written a number of pretty great books
Feb 1 2015, 8:22 PM
Guest6606 (guest): Oh, I love listening to the EWTN
Feb 1 2015, 8:23 PM
Ruth Cassin: Some EWTN programs you can get through your computer, live streaming.
Welcome to our Living Jesus Chat Room. Just sign in, using any of the methods below.
Feb 1 2015, 8:23 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: That makes sense sister mary roberta
Feb 1 2015, 8:23 PM
Sister Susan Marie: http://www.icontact-archive.com/R5nWYuGBvcgNJcUfuX92aF-FzOT1WC7i?w=3
Feb 1 2015, 8:23 PM
Sister Susan Marie: On prayer
Feb 1 2015, 8:23 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I love EWTN’s Journey Home because I’m a convert.
Feb 1 2015, 8:24 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Monday’s at 8PM
Feb 1 2015, 8:24 PM
KarenP (guest): So we must continue to seek God in spite of our dryness and not use this as a reason to fall away. It is not because God is not there any longer, and we should continue to pray in the faith that he is still listening.
Feb 1 2015, 8:24 PM
Dawn L: is it possible, at the end of our session, to continue chat on prayer another time? if others would like
12 online
Sister Susan Marie 4 PM
Dawn L: is it possible, at the end of our session, to continue chat on prayer another time? if others would like
Feb 1 2015, 8:24 PM
KarenP (guest): I am also a convert and also discerning.
Feb 1 2015, 8:25 PM
Guest1829 (guest): I’m a convert, too
Feb 1 2015, 8:25 PM
Guest6606 (guest): I get lots of inspirations from Ms.Johnnette Benkovic
Feb 1 2015, 8:25 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I am a cradle Catholic also discerning
Feb 1 2015, 8:25 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Johnette is great!
Feb 1 2015, 8:25 PM
Guest6606 (guest): I have spoken to her quite a few times over the phone while she was on the air
Feb 1 2015, 8:26 PM
Ruth Cassin: I don’t watch TV, except occasionally at the hospital or someone else’s house.
Feb 1 2015, 8:26 PM
Guest6606 (guest): I love her radio program. I listen to it most mornings
Feb 1 2015, 8:26 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: No tv here either
Feb 1 2015, 8:26 PM
Anne M: I don’t have a tv. Sometimes I watch live streaming on the internet
Feb 1 2015, 8:26 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Like you, Ruth, I generally stay away from TV – was delighted when I could get rid of mine.
Feb 1 2015, 8:27 PM
Dawn L: thank you for link on prayer
Mary Roberta Viano: But EWTN can be watched online – streaming video.
Feb 1 2015, 8:27 PM
Anne M: i’ll watch Fr. Joe this week, though.
Feb 1 2015, 8:27 PM
Judy K: We are so far down from where this comment was made, but someone mentioned being restless during prayer. One thing that comes to mind is not to rush into prayer. We need to quiet our bodies and our minds before we can enter into prayer. Perhaps listening to some quiet music can help us to quiet down and become more prepared to pray. Perhaps engaging in something active can help to quell the restlessness and then opening to prayer might be easier.
Feb 1 2015, 8:27 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: I am wondering how I would find a group of discerners or a prayer group close to home
Feb 1 2015, 8:27 PM
Ruth Cassin: FB keeps blocking out part of our chat.
Feb 1 2015, 8:27 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: East end LI
Feb 1 2015, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Dawn did you mean continuee prayer discussion tonite? Or another formal session. You are all welcome to use this chat at any time.
Feb 1 2015, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Just arrange however you want. I am limited to Sun evenings
Feb 1 2015, 8:28 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: Fb stopped me altogether before
Feb 1 2015, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Sign in as guest
Feb 1 2015, 8:28 PM
KarenP (guest): Judy, I also think that if we have been distracted with work or issues during the day that it can be necessary to somehow prepare to go into prayer.
Feb 1 2015, 8:28 PM
Ruth Cassin: Thank you Sr. Susan Marie. We have, on occasion.
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hopefully, some of your parishioners or neighbors would join you in a prayer group, Alice.
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Carol Ann: Alice, Can you find other people in your parish who might want to form a contemplative prayer group?
Ruth Cassin: Thank you Sr. Susan Marie. We have, on occasion.
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hopefully, some of your parishioners or neighbors would join you in a prayer group, Alice.
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Carol Ann: Alice, Can you find other people in your parish who might want to form a contemplative prayer group?
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Anne M: Hi Janie
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: even one or two others
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
KarenP (guest): I think having another formal session on prayer would be nice as well. But I am interested in any topic that is brought up here.
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Dawn L: was thinking continue next week. but also good to know we can drop in other times
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: Hi. I’m very late.. sorry.
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Welcome Janie
Feb 1 2015, 8:29 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Hi, Janie
Feb 1 2015, 8:30 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: thanks, sister.
Feb 1 2015, 8:30 PM
Judy K: Hi Janie!
Feb 1 2015, 8:30 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: Karen I know when I was a stay at home mom it was easier than now when I need to work outside the home
Feb 1 2015, 8:30 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: Hi all, sorry so late. ….
Feb 1 2015, 8:30 PM
Guest6606 (guest): Hi Janie
Sister Susan Marie: Janie did you have any questions
Feb 1 2015, 8:31 PM
Anne M: night sister
Feb 1 2015, 8:31 PM
KarenP (guest): Yes, I am a school teacher and I find that I have to stop my brain and focus on the fact that it is time to pray if I want to be able to connect with the Lord during that time. That is also why I think I feel that I read the prayers rather than pray them, sometimes I am trying to get into the prayerful mindset and just haven’t let go of the day.
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Guest6606 (guest): Sometimes, I wonder why some of my prayers do not get answered
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: Well this is my first night here, even though I signed up ages ago…I’ll just give it a week and soak it up!!
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Sister Susan Marie: ok!
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Judy K: For those of us here in the East, tomorrow might be a good day to “work” on our prayer life. There is a forecast for heavy snow followed by sleet and freezing rain. I don’t think that we will be going anywhere tomorrow so perhaps we could spend more time with the Lord.
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Guest6606 (guest): how many more minutes for the chat room?
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
KarenP (guest): Good night Sr. Mary – thanks for the quotes!
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Prayers are answered in the Lord’s time, not necessarily ours
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Amy Cochran: Good night, all! 6606, God does answer your prayers, but maybe not how you expect Him to.
Feb 1 2015, 8:32 PM
Alice Lewis-Eckardt: Good night
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Carol Ann: He always hears!
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Sometimes God says no
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Anne M: Judy, we’re getting the heavy snow today. 8″ by am
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
KarenP (guest): I agree that sometimes we don’t realize
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: I’m in nebraska. had heavy snow….
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
KarenP (guest): that God has answered prayer.
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie: you can all go on as long as you are able- in community here we have “rules” so I can only stay a little longer
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Judy K: Aha, so you sent the snow to us, Janie!
Feb 1 2015, 8:33 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: that’s right!!! I want you to have a day off!!!
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
Guest1829 (guest): We had some snow here in Denver last night
Ruth Cassin: Judy, I have an important appointment 50 miles from here 100 miles round trip. Please pray for me.
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
Janie McCarthy-Cheney: Sister before you go… i forget.. from where are you writing..
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
Anne M: Snow is so deep here my dog wont go out. he’ll sink past his lil neck
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
KarenP (guest): I have to prepare for school tomorrow and want to have some time to pray before bed so I will be saying good night here also. I hope to come in next week. I will pray for all, and please pray for me.
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Blessings to each of you, and prayer!
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
Carol Ann: I will pray for you!
Feb 1 2015, 8:34 PM
Guest1829 (guest): Me, too
Feb 1 2015, 8:35 PM
Anne M: good night all