Chatting about: Pope’s Encyclical and St Francis de Sales

Judy (Guest): Hi Mother and everyone! Bet you thought that I had left this earth. No! But I had several weeks that defy description. Everything that could possible go wrong went wrong. From problems with my computer and printer, to getting soaked to the skin in a downpour as I was returning from the laundry room, to having a load of wash come out of the drier still wet, so back it went.

Judy (Guest): All of these things were preventing me from working on the initial formation presentation that I gave yesterday to our new Cooperator candidates. Now that that is done,I have to start on an ongoing formation presentation for our regulat meeting on June 16th. Whew!

Judy (Guest): Happy Mothers’ Day, Mother, and to all of you other mothers in the group!

Judy (Guest): Hello viewer! Happy to have you on board!

Judy (Guest): Shall we get going, Mother!

Judy (Guest): Well, here goes with question 1: In growing in holiness we can avoid a negative attitude toward the many things (often negative) happehing in the world around us if we keep in mind St. Paul’s words in Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.“And in vs. 31,“If God is for us, who can be against us.“

Judy (Guest): God cam take even the most tragic events and turn them into wonders. E.g. the crucifixion,an act of brutal pain and suffering led to the resurrection of jesus and ultimately to His return to His Father. This gives us the assurance that we too will return to our Father.

Judy (Guest): The question begins “At the beginning of this reflection, we are reminded of what Pope Francis said warning against becoming “querelous and disillusioned pessimists, “sourpusses.“

Judy (Guest): Hi Ruth!

Judy (Guest): Question 2: People in heaven are in eternal bliss even while knowing that others are suffering in hell, bacause the joy that comes from living in the KIngdom of God,living with and in God. cannot be diminished by anything.

Judy (Guest): This week’s.

Judy (Guest): At least I think it’s this week’s

Judy (Guest): I am using the one entitled “Holiness is not a passive state meant to make us feel comfortable; it is a call to action.

Judy (Guest): But Mary’s joy is not diminished by her concern.

Judy (Guest): Oh, you’re working on the good sense of humor one. I hope I can find it here.

Judy (Guest): That’s the one I did not have time to work on because I was embroiled in the formation presentation.

Judy (Guest): I do have the other two questions from this reflection.

Judy (Guest): Question 3: How might this topic of happiness and holiness be considered in light someone who suffers from mental health issues such and depression and anxiety. Are they not “holy enough” How does this apply to their situation.

Judy (Guest): People who suffer from mental health issues are not exempt from working for the perfection of charity. they should be seeking help from a mental health professional who can help them deal with their issues and maybe find a way to bring an end to them. they need to maintain an attitude of hope which should impart some joy. And taking strengty from that joy, use it to serve others.

Judy (Guest): Struggling with the condition and being accepting of it does not mean that one should not seek help in dealing with the problems.

Judy (Guest): Since humility is truth, we need to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses in our quest for holiness.

Judy (Guest): Funny thing is that sometimes we have more difficulty acknowledging our strengths that our weaknesses.

Judy (Guest): Than our weaknesses.

Judy (Guest): Yesterday at the formation meeting, Fr. Tom put us all on the spot by asking each of us to say what we thought our talent was.

Judy (Guest): Oddly enough, I said teaching. I should have said writing.

Judy (Guest): It’s funny, but teaching was the first thing that came to my mind, probably because I was teaching at the moment.

Judy (Guest): But that tern “orphan spirit is a good one.

Judy (Guest): I wish I could get my fingers and my brain to coordinate.

Judy (Guest): Perhaps orphan spirit resonates with me since I lost my father at such a young age.

Judy (Guest): WEll, now for the last question. Reaching out to others who are in need has the effect of aiding them in their needs (food, clothing). It can make one aware of the good things in his/her oen life and that awareness should bring some joy. Just the very act of helping others can trigger happiness in us for in doing so,k we know that we are fulfilling the will of God and that leads to happiness, to joy.

Judy (Guest): The Pope emphasizes the importance of community in seeking holiness because we come to recognize our true selves as we relate to others. We need others to bounce off of. Our reactions to others can give us a clue as to whether or not we are really growing in holiness.

Judy (Guest): In our relations with others, are we making progress in the perfection of charity.

Judy (Guest): I keep prayer cards from wakes I attend. I keep them in date order and look through them to see if I have remembered to pray for them on the anniversary of their death.

Judy (Guest): I would consider that a prayer card gallery.

Judy (Guest): Wow, this chat has really flown by. Yes Mother, as I mentioned earlier I have to begin working on the ongoing formation presentation for our regular meeting on June 16th. Also this week, on Saturday we will be celebrating the Feast of Mary Help of Christians at the Shrine. It will be an all day affair ending with the crowning of the 40 ft. tall statue of Mary. The fire dept. comes with a cherry picker and lifts up the one who is to crown Mary.

Judy (Guest): Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of all present in this chat. Give us your gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord. Lift us up above ourselves and lead us ever closer to Jesus.

Judy (Guest): Have a blessed week, everyone.

Judy (Guest): May the Holy Spirit light a fire in each of us.