What do you think is the most important issue that needs to be discussed at this Synod?
- How do you think what the Synod says about the family would ultimately effect how the Church is represented? In other words, would people perceive the Church differently if marriage was perceived differently?
- What did you find most striking about the pope’s homily?
- How do you think (if it all) the Church and the family are related?
MSusanMarie (guest): So are you both following the Synod?
Oct 11 2015, 7:23 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Hi Carol Anne!
Oct 11 2015, 7:23 PM
Carol Ann: Hi everyone!
Oct 11 2015, 7:23 PM
Lisa C: Yes, with great trepidation
Oct 11 2015, 7:23 PM
Ann: I am trying to. No cable, so I have to find it online.
Oct 11 2015, 7:24 PM
Lisa C: Do you remember, “Lost in Space?’
Oct 11 2015, 7:24 PM
Ann: Yes, I do
Oct 11 2015, 7:24 PM
Lisa C: Danger Will Robinson
Ann: Yes
Lisa C: That is how I feel about the Synod
MSusanMarie (guest): Oh I remember Will R.
Lisa C: Re the Synod, I kept trying to see the point of even discussing the stange possibilities being deliberated upon and all it does is make me think it is miguided
Oct 11 2015, 7:26 PM
Ann: Pope Francis’ discussion about materialism today, really hit home for me.
Oct 11 2015, 7:26 PM
Judy K: Hello Viewer! You are most welcome. Folks are usually here a bit earlier, but I guess they are still getting ready. I hope you enjoy the chat.
Oct 11 2015, 7:26 PM
Lisa C: misguided
7:27 PM
Lisa C: I have been writing down reasons
Oct 11 2015, 7:27 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Reasons about misguidance?
Lisa C: Bible, Catechism, Encyclicals, St. Augustine, St T. Aquinas etc all make it seem insane to even discuss these things
Oct 11 2015, 7:28 PM
Ann: When he mentioned about people not showing each other love and care, I understood what he meant. When I was growing up, people seemed to care about each other, whether they knew each other or not. Nowadays, most who I don’t know, seem to act as if people they don’t know, are invisible.
Lisa C: The whole thing seems to be putting the sinners in a position of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Ann: It has been my experience, that many “in the world”, won’t even speak to someone, unless there is an exchange of money. I have had that experience, first hand. It seems foreign and uncomfortable to me.
MSusanMarie (guest): I was remembering back to my childhood- and the culture has changed so much both secular and Catholic culture- in this way- I remember when married folk separated but did not divorce. I do not know tho, why that was, back in the 50’s and early 60’s.
MSusanMarie (guest): Let’s start at the beginning: What do you think is the most important issue that needs to be discussed at this Synod?
Oct 11 2015, 7:31 PM
Lisa C: Divorce is forced upon Mothers to get child support
Judy K: Sadly, I have not read Pope Francis’ document and I have not been following the Synod. Right now I am up to my ears in paperwork, pulling together all the elements that I need for my apartment recertification on Tuesday.
Lisa C: Most important not offending Jesus
Carol Ann: For me, the most important issue is whether or not divorced Catholics can receive the Eucharist, which is our very life and sustenance in the journey to heaven. How can we deprive someone of it?
Oct 11 2015, 7:32 PM
Ann: I agree, Carol Ann.
Lisa C: We are not depriving them. They deprive themselves by being in a state of mortal sin without repentance
Ann: Lisa, there can be different circumstances for different situations, as to why a couple parts ways, though. My opinion. 4 PM
Carol Ann: I find that to be harsh in some cases. Not every Catholic is divorced by choice. some cannot “follow the rules” and get an annullment. They need Christ and the Eucharist as much, if not more than, we do
Lisa C: When Jesus forgave the woman who was going to be stoned he did not just forgive her…..he commanded her to sin no more
Lisa C: Also St. Paul says that to receive Communion with mortal sin brings judgement on the person
Lisa C: 1 Cor
Ann: I believe that people do not intentionally sin though. There are so many different reasons that people part ways. Safety is one.
Lisa C: Parting is not a sin…..remarriage without annulment is sin
Judy K: The most important issue for me is strengthening marriage and the family. For marriage, putting God at the center of every marriage, establishing faith practices right from the beginning, improving communication between spouses and tools for resolving conflicts.
Carol Ann: Is divorce a mortal sin now?
Oct 11 2015, 7:35 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): The first important thing is the very fact that many Catholics are now in these situations vs 60 years ago. Even several of our Sisters have traveled the route of divorce and annulment. Why has it grown so and how do we talk to people about it
Lisa C: No Carol
Lisa C: The reason it has gotten this way is that women are working
Ann: But, as was said earlier, there are times when it is safer for one, to not open up the old wound, causing further damag M
Lisa C: Women should be home with kids….the family is fragmented…..men do not think they have responsibility the way they used to
Lisa C: men do not take marriage seriously anymore because of premarital sex
Carol Ann: Yes, i agree with Judy. The family needs to be strengthened and couples need help to live the sacrament they are called to
Oct 11 2015, 7:37 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): I think sitting before the Eucharist as a practice for those suffering in these situations is very important because the Lord Himself will guide their decisions
Judy K: RE the family;; helping parents to help children to fully embrace the faith and resist the mores of the current culture; help in keeping lines of communication open between parents and children; providing a sense of security so that children are able to ease into maturity.
Oct 11 2015, 7:37 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, I get my best help during adoratoin
Oct 11 2015, 7:38 PM
Ann: Mother, abuse can be one reason. I have read many situations, where a woman left an abusive marriage, and was afraid to go through the process of annulment, because she was still fearful of the man she parted ways from.
015, 7:38 PM
Judy K: Perhaps the Church needs to provide homes for such women with adequate protection for them. PM
Ann: Yes I agree, Judy. A more anonymous process for annulment would be helpful too, I’m sure.
Oct 11 2015, 7:39 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): That might help and some do exist but usually run by a congregation
Carol Ann: that would be a corporal work of mercy. i;m all for that! 0 PM
Lisa C: Ann, a woman does not need an annulment unless she wants to get married again …divorce by itself does not keep her away from sacraments
Ann: Yes, Lisa. I have had some friends though, that even though they didn’t want to remarry, they felt annulment would make them right with God.
Lisa C: kids are bombarded by the culture which is getting worse and worse 2 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Trying to show people how to grow in holiness- would that help PM
Lisa C: Mother it would help people who want to be holy
Oct 11 2015, 7:42 PM
Carol Ann: A friend has called and I must go early/ please pray foe me and I will pray for you!
Oct 11 2015, 7:42 PM
Judy K: There are some women who do not know that divorce in and of itself does not set up an impediment to receiving the Eucharist. Only if one has remarried without benefit of an annulment are they excluded from Communion.
Oct 11 2015, 7:42 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): OK good to be with you!
Oct 11 2015, 7:43 PM
Ann: Take care, Carol Ann. Yes, I will keep you in my prayers.
7:43 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): So education about what the Church really teaches in critical 7:44 PM
Lisa C: I think priests are becoming afraid to offend people at mass by discussing what is and is not a sin
Oct 11 2015, 7:44 PM
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MSusanMarie (guest): Brian- you’re a family man- how do you see things about the Synod
Oct 11 2015, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: I am not so sure people are misunderstanding, I think it is mostly disagreeing
Oct 11 2015, 7:46 PM
Judy K: Certainly homilies on sin and sins, would be a great help. People do not know, or do not remember the classifications of sin and what constitutes them.
Oct 11 2015, 7:46 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Disagreement is not walking with the Church- so how do we get people to want to walk with the Church
Oct 11 2015, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: People seem to ignore what they think is difficult
7 PM
Lisa C: Mother, I think so many people do not see God clearly, they see the struggle of life and miss Him
Oct 11 2015, 7:47 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): How can we make what is difficult a challenge that people want to meet, spiritually and morally?
Oct 11 2015, 7:47 PM
Lisa C: So they cannot see why the rules are what they are
7:47 PM
Lisa C: Mother, we can pray first
Oct 11 2015, 7:48 PM
Judy K: I think you are right there, Lisa, people are indeed disagreeing with the Church. Mother, I think that the first thing to do to get people to walk with the Church is to help them to all in love with Jesus first. If they do not have a real personal relationship with Jesus, the Church and its rules will have no meaning for them.
Oct 11 2015, 7:48 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes that’s so!
Oct 11 2015, 7:48 PM
Lisa C: Mother, I also think that we desperately need youth groups
Oct 11 2015, 7:48 PM
Guest6987 (guest): Small groups where people can share and apply Gods word to their daily lives helps a lot !!!!
Oct 11 2015, 7:48 PM
Lisa C: Catholic youth groups disappear
Lisa C: Mother, there were none when Margaret was growing up only Protestant ones
Oct 11 2015, 7:49 PM
Lisa C: I think part of it was the abuse crisis
Oct 11 2015, 7:49 PM
Guest6987 (guest): Hi Lisa ! My sisters CYO has middle school dances with 400 kids amazing !
7:50 PM
Lisa C: Catholic sports, games, dances, prayer groups
Lisa C: No more shake hands with the priest and goodbye until next week or even until Easter
Oct 11 2015, 7:51 PM
Ann: I think that more pre-marital classes, followed by supportive classes and groups for married people, and intervention when necessary, would help. Pope Francis said something along the lines of that, people have forgotten how to love each other. I think he is so right about that! Love needs to be made a priority again.
Oct 11 2015, 7:51 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Visitation schools are very strong in service projects
Oct 11 2015, 7:51 PM
Lisa C: We don’t have enough priests and nuns
Oct 11 2015, 7:51 PM
Ann: Welcome, guest 9724
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Guest6987 (guest): CYO should be a priority in America in the next ten years !!!
Oct 11 2015, 7:52 PM
Judy K: Las Thursday, I attended the closing of a Youth Leadership retreat held here at the retreat house by the Salesian Youth Ministry office. The young people were amazing and felt that the week was “awesome.” One young lady learned that she was loved for the first time. Another learned that God is really with us, and another learned that the Holy Spirit is really active today. Those with whom I spoke felt that their faith had grown as a result of the week.
Lisa C: Judy that is great we need more of it
4 PM
Judy K: The young people came from the Salesian high schools throughout the country. They very quickly become a very cohesive group, much to their own surprise. I am really impressed! PM
Guest9724 (guest): That is beautiful, Judy K. I see more and more youth that appear to be spiritually alive and vibrant. Our youth group is hosting a dinner and then a 30 hour fast (separately of course) to raise money to go to March for Life
Oct 11 2015, 7:54 PM
Guest6987 (guest): Awesome Judy !
Oct 11 2015, 7:55 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Sounds like what happens when our students get together at Vistory or salesian Leadership Camp
Guest9724 (guest): The youth group create a cardboard city and sleep in boxes on the school/church yard
Oct 11 2015, 7:56 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): So perhaps the job of this synod is much more basic than I thought- since the very basics need to be learned- like one is loved, as you mentioned above
Judy K: The question about the perception of the Church relative to the perception of marriage. Marriage should not be perceived differently from a Catholic perspective. If the perception were changed, people would assume that the Church was in error about its perception. It would weaken the Church’s ability to teach ad govern.
Ann: Yes, Mother. So many times in this world, I see love, replaced by materialism, just as Pope Francis said.
Guest9724 (guest): Yes, it is sometimes not known, because, as some in the Synod have said, the tone is negative.
MSusanMarie (guest): Almost like approaching our own Catholics the way a missionary might approach a non-Christian culture – or something like that- that is clearly new evangelization
Oct 11 2015, 7:58 PM
Guest6987 (guest): Wonderful 9724 ! My sons High School is attending March For Life Again this year last year was an amazing encouragement for all the kids amazing number of youth their !
Guest9724 (guest): If you are always viewing the negative in yourself, is it not hard to feel loved?
Judy K: I think that some parents think that giving the children things means that they love them. What the children really need is more time with their parents. :58 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): The Synod could adress that Judy
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Lisa C: The third world needs to evangelize Europe and the US
Judy K: And if that negativity is reinforced by others, parents especially, it is even harder to feel loved.
MSusanMarie (guest): The family is the domestic Church and both family and Church have to be loving
Oct 11 2015, 8:00 PM
Guest9724 (guest): this is what they want to remove from the synod
Guest9724 (guest): negative
Guest6987 (guest): American families are addicted to the busyness of life The Lord Jesus warns us to avoid !!!
Ann: Yes, Mother.
Ann: You are so right, Brian!
Guest9724 (guest): yes, 6987.. they also know more about pop stars… than Salvation History
Guest6987 (guest): Pope Francis encouraged families to have a warm meal together great advice that is a struggle at times to attain !
Oct 11 2015, 8:02 PM
Lisa C: The Church is under attack, but it will not lose in the end. Blessed Mother is our advocate
Oct 11 2015, 8:03 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): What do you think about this question- too misleading: How do you think what the Synod says about the family would ultimately effect how the Church is represented? In other words, would people perceive the Church differently if marriage was perceived differently?
3 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I got my Synod Father to pray for: Archbishop Atanga of Bertua in Cameroon. It’s nice to be able to pray for him in a special way.
Oct 11 2015, 8:03 PM
Judy K: Mother, I began the answer to question 4 with the statement “Some people are calling the family a domestic Church.” Within the family, worship/prayer, reconciliation, faith formation takes place. The same is true for the Church on a larger and sacramental scale. From its inception, grounded in a marriage centered in the faith, the family should be the place of introductory preparation for the sacramental life of the Church.
Oct 11 2015, 8:04 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: especially since the African prelates are the ones who are the strongest defenders of the Church’s teachings on morality.
8:04 PM
Lisa C: Mother, Marriage represents the bond of the Church with Jesus. The bond is eternal and singular. It cannot be perceived differently. It was instituted by God 05 PM
Judy K: As I said earlier, to change the perception would cause people to thing that was in error about its perception. It would weaken the Church’s ability to teach and govern.
Oct 11 2015, 8:05 PM
Judy K: to think
Oct 11 2015, 8:06 PM
Lisa C: Letting people think that marriage is a flexible thing that can be discarded and exchanged puts us in danger of thinking that our relationship with God is arbitrary
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Mary Roberta Viano: I’m so puzzled by the Fathers’ consideration of blessing “same-sex marriage,” which is so clearly contrary to the Church’s teaching.
Oct 11 2015, 8:06 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Oh I agree
Oct 11 2015, 8:07 PM
Ann: yes, I agree too
Oct 11 2015, 8:07 PM
Lisa C: We then worship idols
Beautiful 5, 8:07 PM
Lisa C: We worship pleasure and things
Oct 11 2015, 8:07 PM
Guest6987 (guest): We had my mother and father-in laws 60th wedding anniversary party this afternoon what a testimony too all the kids in the family beautiful day ! Praise God !!!!
Oct 11 2015, 8:07 PM
Lisa C: Oh my parents will have their 60th Wedding Anniversary on Thursday
Oct 11 2015, 8:07 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, God be praised! My parents were married 63 years. What a blessing and testimony1
Oct 11 2015, 8:08 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): That’s why I think that the basics need to be emphasized- we are educating people who are perhaps only cultural Catholics and they do need to meet Jesus in a personal way. The Synod could emphasize that
Oct 11 2015, 8:08 PM
Guest6987 (guest): Wow that’s great Lisa !!!
Oct 11 2015, 8:08 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Beautiful
Ann: But what about marriage, where one partner is dangerously abusive, and adulterous? I have had several friends in that situation.
Lisa C: Ann that is not a real marriage
Ann: their lives were in danger
Lisa C: That would likely be annulled
Mary Roberta Viano: True on the basics: Once Jesus becomes the center of our lives, everything falls into its proper place.
9 PM
Judy K: It would also give the impression that anything can be changed and that hard and fast truths are mutable and there is no objective morality.
Oct 11 2015, 8:09 PM
Lisa C: Sister how do we get Jesus to be the center of everyone’s life?
Ann: I agree, but they had their weddings in the church. My friends are afraid of the annulment process, one in particular, because she is afraid he would find her, if she had to notify him.
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s the “relativity” the last few popes have talked about.
Ann: In one case, it was severe enough for her to go to a shelter.
Mary Roberta Viano: Now a person’s gender is even up for grabs. Scary!
Lisa C: Ann she should talk to a priest and discuss the fears
Ann: that is scary!
Lisa C: Sister only in their minds!
Oct 11 2015, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, but they’re trying to make it a physical reality, too, Lisa.
Oct 11 2015, 8:11 PM
Ann: I told them that, but her priest said he would still have to be contacted. She is frightened of that. My other friend in a similar situation, is not quite as fearful, but would rather not open old wounds.
Oct 11 2015, 8:11 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Good question Lisa- I think the Lord guides the process- but if all of us already in love with the Lord could influence just one other person to get to know Him how it might spread
Oct 11 2015, 8:12 PM
Lisa C: Sister, their DNA stays the same and it is just a game of hormones
Lisa C: and maybe surgery
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s what we sisters are hoping as we interact daily with our girls
Mary Roberta Viano: We’ve been having open houses so that all 490 students can learn more about our lives in the monastery. 3 PM
Guest6987 (guest): It’s good to see that we live in a generation that their is help available for those caught in abusive relationships to find safety I don’t think that ever existed in the past ! Absolutely an abusive relatioship is not a true marriage to God !!!
Oct 11 2015, 8:13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: so true!
Oct 11 2015, 8:13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: whether it’s with spouses or kids
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Lisa C: If we trust God, I think that He has it planned. He will save everyone in the end. The thing that is important is to help people know that and still behave without offending Him.
Oct 11 2015, 8:14 PM
Ann: I agree. My friend who was in the worst situation though, was afraid to leave it for the longest time, for fear of sinning against God. Even her priest said to go, but she stayed and endured, until she had to leave, for her own safety.
Oct 11 2015, 8:14 PM
Lisa C: When they offend Him they also hurt themselves.
:15 PM
Judy K: Eucharistic Adoration seems to be a great influence on the relationship with the Lord. Even people who are not Catholic are affected by it. The Lord seems to reach out from His Eucharistic presence and embrace those who are present and changing some lives. Perhaps we need to provide more opportunities for Adoration.
Oct 11 2015, 8:15 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): I agree wholeheartedly
PM
Lisa C: When I am with Jesus I ask Him to go to everyone
Oct 11 2015, 8:15 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS says in the INTRO: “Honeybees cannot stay in a place where there are echos, loud sounds and resounding voices, nor can the Holy Spirit remain in a house where there are disputes, recriminations, and the re-echoings of scoldings and strife.”
Oct 11 2015, 8:15 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): The Synod could be encouraging that as a practice for families
Oct 11 2015, 8:15 PM
Judy K: Nope, 3889.
Oct 11 2015, 8:16 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): No not all here are nuns
Lisa C: No one has mentioned pennance
Lisa C: I do not mean confession
Lisa C: I mean us doing things to try to convert people
Guest3889 (guest): evangelization?
Lisa C: I mean giving things up, fasting, etc.
Oct 11 2015, 8:18 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Any sacrifice we make can be lifted up for a particular intention – like the Synod.
Lisa C: Joining suffering to Jesus’ suffering
Lisa C: We can save people that way
Guest6987 (guest): At George Mason University night before March For Life they have Eucharistic Adoration For 15000 Youth I have never experienced anthing like this the kids were overwelmed with Jesus s Love !!!
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Lisa C: The work that Jesus left undone
Lisa C: I think God is going to use the existing faithful to save the rest
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, the only hand Jesus has now are our hands.
Guest6987 (guest): We must respond to today’s culture with more organized prayer groups that target specific concerns and people ! God wants to save everyone !!!
Oct 11 2015, 8:22 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Like Pope Francis is reaching out and praying with people of all faiths.
Lisa C: Reading it now it strikes me that the Pope thinks solitude is necessarily bad
Lisa C: Solitude is impossible with God
MSusanMarie (guest): I think loneliness hurts, not solitude
Oct 11 2015, 8:23 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It’s the importance of RELATIONSHIP that he’s stressing, I think.
Oct 11 2015, 8:24 PM
Lisa C: Solitude is good for contemplatio
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Guest6987 (guest): We have a Great Army that must be engaged and to challenge our enemy at every level ! Jesus won the victory it is our job to bring everyone to Him !!!
Oct 11 2015, 8:24 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: That was my first question from Mother Philomena 13 years ago: What is the Salesian charism, she asked me. RELATIONSHIP, she said.
Oct 11 2015, 8:24 PM
Judy K: I think that solitude is necessary for contemplation.
Oct 11 2015, 8:25 PM
Lisa C: Onward Catholic Soldiers
5 PM
Judy K: I think that we are going to have to fight harder as time progresses.
Oct 11 2015, 8:25 PM
Lisa C: Who is Mother Philomena
Oct 11 2015, 8:25 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): I agree
:27 PM
Ann: What I found striking, was how much his words resonated with me. When he spoke of the lack of love and warmth, it reminded me of the many times when I would reach out for help to someone, and their first interest was what was in it for them, rather than how they could help. What they could offer. There are so many closed hearts in this world, and I pray that somehow, we can all come together, and help Jesus with our hands and hearts, to open those hearts and rekindle love, tenderness, compassion and care.
Oct 11 2015, 8:27 PM
Guest6987 (guest): The battle is won in the prayer closets across this great land !!!! Praise be to God !!!
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS described himself as “a good-natured lump of a fellow,…so fond is he of peace.” That was evident in his successful work to re-convert in the Chablais. 5, 8:28 PM
Ann: Ah. What I was saying was, random acts of kindness and love. :29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I think Pope Francis is a strong witness to that warmth you refer to, Ann.
Oct 11 2015, 8:29 PM
Ann: Thank you, Sister.
Guest6987 (guest): Soo true Ann !!’
Ann: His message really resonated with me.
Oct 11 2015, 8:29 PM
Guest3889 (guest): Now and forever, 6987
Ann: Thank you, Brian.
Mary Roberta Viano: especially now with so many random acts of violence happening almost daily!
Oct 11 2015, 8:30 PM
Ann: Yes, it’s horrible how the world has changed since I was little.
Judy K: He does appear to have great warmth. I love to see him with children. He always looks as if he wants to get down on the ground and play with him