Though primarily St. Francis is writing to religious in these reflections, how can the non-consecrated benefit and learn from this practice of avoiding the attachments of “yours” and “mine”? In other words, how does this apply to members of a family, or to a roommate?2. How can this practice of the “will of the community” that St. Francis speaks of as benefiting the religious community also be of benefit to the community of the whole Church?3. How can we get in the habit of making acts of love for someon
Jun 28, 8:38 AM
VisitationSiste: 3. How can we get in the habit of making acts of love for someone who offends of or hurts us instead of festering in anger?4. Based on what St. Francis says and what Jesus says, is it wrong to make plans for tomorrow (such as tickets to a game or concert or movie, vacation or career plans, etc.)? Is this is what is meant by “have no concern for tomorrow”?5. Are you surprised that St. Francis says that it takes ten or more years go acquire this virtue? If it takes this long, how deeply does this virtue benef
Jun 28, 8:38 AM
VisitationSiste: If it takes this long, how deeply does this virtue benefit the person? How does this virtue manifest itself in one’s attitude toward everything outside of the person? Including his or her own body?
Jun 28, 8:38 AM
VisitationSiste: Sun chat June 28 730pm est
Jun 28, 7:26 PM
Erin Brannon: Good evening
Jun 28, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: Good evening Erin
Jun 28, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: We will be starting in a few minutes. Is this your first visit to this chat?
Jun 28, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Sr Jennifer
Jun 28, 7:28 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Hi Mother, Hi Erin
Jun 28, 7:28 PM
Erin Brannon: It’s my first time yes
Jun 28, 7:28 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Welcome
Jun 28, 7:29 PM
Erin Brannon: Hello ty
Jun 28, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: We have recently begun reflectin on the spiritual conferences of St Francis de Sales and that work is where we generate these questions tonight
Jun 28, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: These conferences were given to the first Visitation Nuns
Jun 28, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: way back in the early 1600’s
Jun 28, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: But much is still relevant!
Jun 28, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Looks like Erin left
Jun 28, 7:31 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): yes
Jun 28, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Ruth cannot be here tonight
Jun 28, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: She wrote me earlier
Jun 28, 7:32 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): o
Jun 28, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: I’ll see who else shows up
Jun 28, 7:39 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Maybe
Jun 28, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome viewers
Jun 28, 7:40 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Hi Viewers
Jun 28, 7:42 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Gone
Jun 28, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: strange night
Jun 28, 7:43 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Yes
Jun 28, 7:44 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome Kathleen
Jun 28, 7:44 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Welcome Kathleen
Jun 28, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Shall I post the first question?
Jun 28, 7:46 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Hi Viewer
Jun 28, 7:46 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Yes Mother
Jun 28, 7:46 PM
VisitationSiste: 1. Though primarily St. Francis is writing to religious in these reflections, how can the non-consecrated benefit and learn from this practice of avoiding the attachments of “yours” and “mine”? In other words, how does this apply to members of a family, or to a roommate?
Jun 28, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: In our society yours and mine are prevalent but in the Monastery, traditionally, that is, all objects were referred to as “ours”
Jun 28, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: In my family we did not do this! But do families approach things this way in your experience?
Jun 28, 7:53 PM
Sr Jennifer (Guest): Hi Carol
Jun 28, 7:53 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Carol Anne!
Jun 28, 7:53 PM
Carol Ann: Hello!
Jun 28, 7:54 PM
Carol Ann: Im glad I came, but we wrecsure missing a lot of people
Jun 28, 7:55 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Ruth could not be here tonite and the chat is going very lowly tonite
Jun 28, 7:55 PM
Carol Ann: Growing up we mostly had things of our own. The furniture, etc belonged to my parents
Jun 28, 7:56 PM
VisitationSiste: We had alot in common, like only one tv for example and shred that- but still I don’t think we referred to things as “ours” I am trying to remember
Jun 28, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: shared , not shred!
Jun 28, 7:57 PM
Carol Ann: In the monasteries I visited, it could really vary. Most had common possessions. But the tools used for individual work generally belonged to just the individual
Jun 28, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: it would be more like ” the tv” not “our” tv, I think
Jun 28, 7:58 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, for us too. The TV, the stereo, your bed
Jun 28, 7:58 PM
VisitationSiste: In the Monastery today we are drifting but at heart know we are supposed to share all things, but it does not always happen
Jun 28, 7:58 PM
VisitationSiste: 2. How can this practice of the “will of the community” that St. Francis speaks of as benefiting the religious community also be of benefit to the community of the whole Church?
Jun 28, 7:59 PM
Carol Ann: I mean, some Sisters were artists and no one used their supplies but them. It was considered an invasion of private space
Jun 28, 8:00 PM
Carol Ann: Question 2 implies to me that all members of the community had a say in the decision
Jun 28, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes that happens here but actually not the ideal
Jun 28, 8:00 PM
Carol Ann: It was made as a group for the group
Jun 28, 8:01 PM
VisitationSiste: in discernment for a community decision, which is difficult enough, it would be seen as the will of God for the community
Jun 28, 8:01 PM
VisitationSiste: with the larger Church it works I guess in election of a Pope?
Jun 28, 8:02 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, because our cardinals speak for us, though I don’t think we can write to them and suggest candidates
Jun 28, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: So perhaps it is like a representative government
Jun 28, 8:04 PM
VisitationSiste: I can’t imagine today all Catholics agreeing on something for the Church tho I think in the past it was more likely
Jun 28, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann: On the larger scale, yes. But not in the individual,community. Which is small enough to allow everyone a chance to speak
Jun 28, 8:05 PM
Carol Ann: I agree Sister. Some of us still haven’t agreed to Vatican II
Jun 28, 8:06 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes in small communities the Chapter Sisters always had an individual say in things
Jun 28, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: Should I move on to the next q?
Jun 28, 8:07 PM
Carol Ann: We could
Jun 28, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: 3. How can we get in the habit of making acts of love for someone who offends of or hurts us instead of festering in anger?
Jun 28, 8:09 PM
Carol Ann: I start with prayer. It is far too easy to get angry, so I pray to Jesus give that person whatvHe knows they need
Jun 28, 8:10 PM
VisitationSiste: Good start- because otherwise anger does fester
Jun 28, 8:10 PM
VisitationSiste: the problem is the repeated acts of offense
Jun 28, 8:11 PM
VisitationSiste: to keep praying, forgiving, loving and then – how does one do that if it is a repeated injustice
Jun 28, 8:11 PM
Carol Ann: Yes. Sometimes I will try to let the other person know what bothers me. Generally, they know but don’t care
Jun 28, 8:12 PM
VisitationSiste: Getting someone to care- no clue for that
Jun 28, 8:12 PM
Carol Ann: Usually I will try to stay with just basic conversation. If the objectionable talk starts I excuse myself and walk away
Jun 28, 8:13 PM
Carol Ann: You actually can’t get them to care.
Jun 28, 8:13 PM
VisitationSiste: I think that is a healthy technique- does anyone ever question you why you walk away- or follow you
Jun 28, 8:14 PM
Carol Ann: Yes. Our office tends to be mire passive aggressive though
Jun 28, 8:15 PM
Carol Ann: The last time something happened others in the office actually stuck up for me, because the other person was in the wrongm
Jun 28, 8:15 PM
Carol Ann: But calling people names over it
Jun 28, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Sounds like progress
Jun 28, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: not calling of names!
Jun 28, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: 4. Based on what St. Francis says and what Jesus says, is it wrong to make plans for tomorrow (such as tickets to a game or concert or movie, vacation or career plans, etc.)? Is this is what is meant by “have no concern for tomorrow”?
Jun 28, 8:16 PM
Carol Ann: Th other, yes it was fun to have people call this person out
Jun 28, 8:17 PM
Carol Ann: No, we should make plans to give life some direction. But we sre not to be attached to them or be upset if a change in circumstance makes them impossible
Jun 28, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: St Francis de Sales said not to agonize over the little things- like is it God’s will I go to the game, something like that- we can make decisions but as you say change them if it seems Divine Providence steps in
Jun 28, 8:20 PM
VisitationSiste: The concern is to put all things in God’s hands
Jun 28, 8:21 PM
Carol Ann: We would never get anything done if we didn’t make any plans at all. But sometimes God does step in and we are guided into something by His “coincidence”
Jun 28, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: I think it happens alot- even in our thoughts
Jun 28, 8:22 PM
Carol Ann: More than we realize I think
Jun 28, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Last q: 5. Are you surprised that St. Francis says that it takes ten or more years go acquire this virtue? If it takes this long, how deeply does this virtue benefit the person? How does this virtue manifest itself in one’s attitude toward everything outside of the person? Including his or her own body?
Jun 28, 8:26 PM
Carol Ann: It is very difficult to learn to think of yourself as part of a whole rather than as an individual,in a group
Jun 28, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: Virtues are habits that become daily, regular and are good actions. To take 10 years is an example of the work that goes into acquiring a virtue
Jun 28, 8:29 PM
Carol Ann: Im looking back through my email for this question and I don’t think,I’m actually got it
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Sometimes they are added later
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: The webmaster adds them on
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Did you have formation tonight?
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann: I will sign up for the email lettervagain
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: ok
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, we finished a couple minutes early today
Jun 28, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: It’s about time to end I am so glad you came tonight!
Jun 28, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Haven’t heard from Dawn for awhile now
Jun 28, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: I am too! I miss everyone when I can’t come
Jun 28, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Brian is busy working- hope he’s ok
Jun 28, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: I haven’t either. I will look forvher email
Jun 28, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: Brian is amazing
Jun 28, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: stay well- abd be careful- and esp on the 4th of July!
Jun 28, 8:32 PM
VisitationSiste: He is!
Jun 28, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: God Bless you Sister!
Jun 28, 8:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Prayers and blessings! Good night!
Jun 28, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: All celebrations cancelled out here
Jun 28, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: Good night!