This is very much a continuation of last week’s lesson. Did you find this reflection shed light on anything from last week’s discussion? If so, how? How do we make the distinction between loving God and loving the pleasure found in God? How do we begin to love the beauty of God (as Saint Francis tells us)? Certainly the consolations and signal graces from God are a great means to lead us deeper into loving God above all else. If we have experienced a lot of consolation in our spiritual life how VisitationSiste: how can we direct our love towards God?
Connected with question 4: How can we prepare ourselves in advance for when our faith journey is not as consoling (opposed to being caught off guard and being stuck in a “desolate” place, spiritually speaking)?
Apr 11, 10:11 AM
VisitationSiste: Sun chat Palm Sun April 14 730pm est
Apr 14, 7:19 PM
VisitationSiste: hello viewer
Apr 14, 7:22 PM
VisitationSiste: Blessed Palm Sunday and Holy Week!
Apr 14, 7:24 PM
VisitationSiste: hello Carroll
Apr 14, 7:24 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hello
Apr 14, 7:25 PM
VisitationSiste: I am thinking that on Easter we won’t have a formal chat- what do you think?
Apr 14, 7:25 PM
Apr 14, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s great- it being Palm Sun I wonder how many can be here
Apr 14, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: Did you fnd this topic too repetitious from last weel
Apr 14, 7:29 PM
VisitationSiste: week
Apr 14, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Carroll you are listed twice!
Apr 14, 7:31 PM
Carroll (Guest): Computer froze and has to restart. Trying this from my phone…
Apr 14, 7:31 PM
Carroll (Guest): No chat on Easter is ok with me.
Apr 14, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: ok
Apr 14, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: I guess we can start!
Apr 14, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: LET’S JUMP TO THIS QUESTION FIRST: How do we begin to love the beauty of God
Apr 14, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: I think early on for many people the beauty of God is seen in the beauty of nature- and in the people around them, esp those they love
Apr 14, 7:34 PM
Carroll (Guest): Ahhh… By considering all of the wonder that comes from Him, His Love, Mercy, Creation
Apr 14, 7:35 PM
VisitationSiste: In a majestic place we sense the majesty of God
Apr 14, 7:35 PM
Carroll (Guest): I also see His beauty when reflecting on past trials and the good He has brought from them…
Apr 14, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s more intense perhaps
Apr 14, 7:36 PM
Carroll (Guest): And, sometimes even in the midst of tribulation… believing that He is giving me a tiny glimpse of His own Passion
Apr 14, 7:37 PM
Carroll (Guest): Actually, my experience of that now is hopeful…
Apr 14, 7:37 PM
VisitationSiste: This week and other weeks in the past often develop into a true sharing- yes
Apr 14, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: You have been prepared for something yet unseen perhaps, in your life
Apr 14, 7:39 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hopeful that I am growing towards really embracing His Will as my own.
Apr 14, 7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: To know His Will is not easy
Apr 14, 7:40 PM
Carroll (Guest): Isn’t this process of preparation and of coming to know Him true for us all?
Apr 14, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: Oh yes
Apr 14, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: Consolations help us to know and love God but you point out that tribulations do as well Not all see that right away
Apr 14, 7:42 PM
Carroll (Guest): My role as a caregiver over the past 1 1/2 yes and the privilege of accompanying Ginny we’re certainly unseen and unknown.
Apr 14, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: Are you at a crossroads now?
Apr 14, 7:43 PM
Carroll (Guest): Potentially… I have some major decisions to make.
Apr 14, 7:44 PM
Apr 14, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Will this help you towards your future
Apr 14, 7:45 PM
Carroll (Guest): I am praying Our Lord will make clear to me whether this is a situation in which…
Apr 14, 7:45 PM
Carroll (Guest): 1) I need to continue in order to grow in diligence and perserverance…
Apr 14, 7:46 PM
Carroll (Guest): 2) I need to learn to negotiate more assertively in order to prevent burn out…
Apr 14, 7:47 PM
VisitationSiste: You might need a vacation or retreat too
Apr 14, 7:47 PM
Carroll (Guest): Or, 3) I need to acknowledge the magnitude of his needs and my own limitations and move on to whatever comes next.
Apr 14, 7:48 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes that is very imporatnt to determine
Apr 14, 7:48 PM
Carroll (Guest): A retreat, absolutely!
Apr 14, 7:48 PM
Carroll (Guest): I am still unable to imagine any future other than pursuing religious life
Apr 14, 7:48 PM
Carroll (Guest): However, thus far no doors are opening.
Apr 14, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: You have a director?
Apr 14, 7:50 PM
Carroll (Guest): Yes. Fr. Bernie likens this to all of the ” no” s Saint Faustina and others experienced.
Apr 14, 7:51 PM
Carroll (Guest): I have considered what Holy Father writes about God’s inspired Will and declared Will
Apr 14, 7:51 PM
Carroll (Guest): If I am remembering the terms correctly
Apr 14, 7:52 PM
Carroll (Guest): No open doors could be His declared Will… Or, my just not being ready yet.
Apr 14, 7:52 PM
VisitationSiste: yes- will of God’s Good pleasure and His direct will but that is not the term- can’t remember it
Apr 14, 7:52 PM
Carroll (Guest): Are you familiar with the work of Dr GC Dilsaver?
Apr 14, 7:53 PM
VisitationSiste: no
Apr 14, 7:54 PM
Carroll (Guest): Long story short, he is a published author and his work has the endorsement of a few Bishops… He was interviewed several times on Women of Grace.
Apr 14, 7:55 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Hi Sister Susan and Carroll ! God Bless You ! Brian
Apr 14, 7:55 PM
VisitationSiste: HI Brian!
Apr 14, 7:55 PM
VisitationSiste: What are the topics of this author
Apr 14, 7:56 PM
Carroll (Guest): He was a Clinical Psychologist who has abandoned the modern mental health system in exchange for a more thoroughly traditionally Catholic, Thomistic approach…
Apr 14, 7:56 PM
Carroll (Guest): The roles of God given gender,…
Apr 14, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: Brian can you follow along
Apr 14, 7:57 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Yes Sister !
Apr 14, 7:57 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi Brian!
Apr 14, 7:58 PM
Carroll (Guest): He has an institute called the Imago Dei Institute.
Apr 14, 7:59 PM
Carroll (Guest): With short and long term retreats for Priests and lay men and women
Apr 14, 7:59 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Where are they located Caroll
Apr 14, 8:00 PM
Carroll (Guest): Actually, the first womens’ retreat will be in June. I believe he is in Montana. I need to look at the website. I have a friend who will enter Carmel in August and she is going to sound a month there first.
Apr 14, 8:01 PM
VisitationSiste: Thanks for this information!
Apr 14, 8:01 PM
VisitationSiste: Maybe we should continue the last 2 questions:
Apr 14, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: If
we have experienced a lot of consolation in our spiritual life how can we
direct our love towards God?
Connected with question 4: How can we prepare ourselves in advance for when our
faith journey is not as consoling (opposed to being caught off guard and being
stuck in a “desolate” place, spiritually speaking)?
Apr 14, 8:02 PM
Carroll (Guest): Dr Dilsaver focuses a lot on embracing the redemptive and restorative power of Christ’s Passion, … seeing the beauty of God in all things and circumstances.
Apr 14, 8:03 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): When it comes to a calling from God we just need to make ourselves available to Him and He will guide us where He wants us to go . We can have our plans and miss out on what God really wants us to do .
Apr 14, 8:03 PM
Carroll (Guest): Good point, Brian!
Apr 14, 8:05 PM
Carroll (Guest): My ” theme song” right now is trying to direct my live towards God by acting lovingly towards others… I often think of Sr. Mary Dolores saying, ” You are taking care of Jesus.”
Apr 14, 8:05 PM
VisitationSiste: beautiful
Apr 14, 8:05 PM
Carroll (Guest): love towards God
Apr 14, 8:06 PM
Carroll (Guest): Brian- You are such a vibrant example of doing so as a lay person!
Apr 14, 8:06 PM
VisitationSiste: I think of St Jane de Chantal who lived with inner darkness or dryness for many years- or Mother Theresa and yet they kept clinging to Him and serving
Apr 14, 8:06 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): I never even thought about Prison Ministry ! I was afraid of Prison . God tugged at my heart when I heard talk at Church . I signed up to pray for Ministry and now 13years later I can’t imagine all that I would have missed and all the people I never would have met had I said no to God !!!!
Apr 14, 8:07 PM
Carroll (Guest): Amen.
Apr 14, 8:08 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Have you ever been missionary Caroll !
Apr 14, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: Courageous trust Brian
Apr 14, 8:09 PM
Carroll (Guest): No Brian, but you are not the first person to ask me that.
Apr 14, 8:10 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s a great gift!
Apr 14, 8:12 PM
VisitationSiste: How do we develop evangelical gifts- it is my weakness
Apr 14, 8:12 PM
Carroll (Guest): In a sense I have been… When I was working as a massage therapist in the midst of new age practitioners and I was working with the Laboure Society to pursue religious vocation…. I did a lot of evangelization and re- evangelization during that time.
Apr 14, 8:13 PM
Carroll (Guest): My approach is very quiet… Attracting, rather than promoting now…
Apr 14, 8:13 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): You dont have to travel to be Missionary . A friend of mine retired Tire Executive . He joined a Group that goes to University of Buffalo every Wed afternoon . They serve cookies and treats and give Students a chance to share . Many are increasing their Faith or beginning to look closer to God !
Apr 14, 8:13 PM
Carroll (Guest): Today, at the dog park, I was praying Stations o the Cross
Apr 14, 8:14 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Awesome Carroll !!!
Apr 14, 8:15 PM
Carroll (Guest): … just being a quiet presence and witness… I still haven’t stopped wearing my postulant dress, so people tend to ask me questions…
Apr 14, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: So simple sharing can qualify as evangeluization?
Apr 14, 8:15 PM
Carroll (Guest): I hope so
Apr 14, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: That is good news!
Apr 14, 8:17 PM
Carroll (Guest): I know it might be time to go get regular clothes again and focus on internal acts if fidelity, rather than external… But, I never would have met Sr Mary Dolores if I hadn’t been wearing this dress.
Apr 14, 8:18 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): The Lord put it on my Heart to carry my Bible with me everywhere . It has been incredible to see God encouraging others just by the presence of His Word in ordinary life and to quietly read God’s Word everywhere !!! Even in the White House !!!
Apr 14, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: If you don’t mind my asking who does the postulant dress belong to?
Apr 14, 8:19 PM
Carroll (Guest): In Mobile, postulants simply wear their own black and white clothing. A friend had these dresses made for me before I entered.
Apr 14, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: so it is your own
Apr 14, 8:19 PM
Carroll (Guest): Yes.
Apr 14, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: last question: How can we prepare ourselves in advance for when our faith journey is not as consoling (opposed to being caught off guard and being stuck in a “desolate” place, spiritually speaking)?
Apr 14, 8:22 PM
Carroll (Guest): By staying ” connected” to the body of Christ through Mass, Adoration, and service work
Apr 14, 8:22 PM
Carroll (Guest): …And by participation in groups like this one.
Apr 14, 8:22 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Building a Strong Relationship with God and with a Community of Christians . An isolated Christian is a paralysed Christian !!!
Apr 14, 8:22 PM
VisitationSiste: Except for hermits!
Apr 14, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: but they are united by prayer
Apr 14, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Believing and being convicted of the TRUTH despite interior dryness keeps us on track
Apr 14, 8:24 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): The Lord Jesus wants us to build relationships with everybody !!! When we fail , they will help us out !
Apr 14, 8:25 PM
Carroll (Guest): I am learning that being in ” the desert” is not the same as being isolated…
Apr 14, 8:25 PM
Carroll (Guest): Is the Visitation considered a eremetic or a cenobitic community?
Apr 14, 8:25 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): We know that God is with us reguardless of our feelings !
Apr 14, 8:26 PM
VisitationSiste: cenobitic
Apr 14, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: monasticism has a desert quality about it but even desert dwellers often lived near each other
Apr 14, 8:27 PM
Carroll (Guest): I was mixed up about that… Trying so hard to tell on God alone…
Apr 14, 8:27 PM
Carroll (Guest): Not tell- rely
Apr 14, 8:28 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): We talked about at our meeting how many many people come closer to God when they see us walk through great difficulties and continue to Trust God !!!!
Apr 14, 8:29 PM
Carroll (Guest): Community is important for us all… God gives us opportunities to experience that in different ways at different times.
Apr 14, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes!!
Apr 14, 8:30 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Your inspiring many souls to come to our Lord Jesus with your Great Faithfulness !!!
Apr 14, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: I hope this wek brings you into deep praying community in your Churches and have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
Apr 14, 8:31 PM
Carroll (Guest): I pray so.
Apr 14, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: I think we will not have a formal chat on Easter BUT if anyone needs to talk just sign in and do so!!
Apr 14, 8:31 PM
Carroll (Guest): Thank you, Mother Susan Marie. Same to you!
Apr 14, 8:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Blessings to all!
Apr 14, 8:32 PM
Carroll (Guest): Thank you for being here tonight, Brian and viewers. Have a Blessed Holy Week!
Apr 14, 8:33 PM
Carroll (Guest): Goodnight.
Apr 14, 8:33 PM
Guest5655 (Guest): Thank You Sister Susan and Carroll for your inspiring Faithfulness and Service to God !!! Have a Blessed Week ! God Bless You ! Keep Letting Jesus Shine Through You !!!