What does it mean to become little? Does the idea of decreasing so Christ can increase in us do away with our individuality? Are we, in the end, just becoming spiritually homogenous? Discuss the “spiritual childhood” espoused by St. Thérèse of Lisieux in light of what St. Francis wrote. What’s the difference between being childlike and childish? How can we ensure we surrender to God in the “little way”? St. Jane de Chantal was superior of her community. How can a superior be humble before

Oct 3, 10:32 AM

Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): before her sisters, and yet engender a respect for her authority?

Oct 3, 10:32 AM

Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Sun chat Oct 4 730pm est

Oct 4, 7:08 PM

VisitationSiste: Welcome Cathie

Oct 4, 7:10 PM

VisitationSiste: We start officially in 20 minutes

Oct 4, 7:18 PM

Dawn (Guest): hi Sister Susan

Oct 4, 7:18 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Dawn Welcome back!

Oct 4, 7:18 PM

Dawn (Guest): Thank you. Good to be here

Oct 4, 7:18 PM

VisitationSiste: How is everything with you?

Oct 4, 7:19 PM

Dawn (Guest): I believe just as God desires it to be

Oct 4, 7:19 PM

VisitationSiste: That’s the best way, you are right!

Oct 4, 7:19 PM

Dawn (Guest): Trials!

Oct 4, 7:20 PM

VisitationSiste: Life has so many, but joys too

Oct 4, 7:20 PM

Dawn (Guest): Yes

Oct 4, 7:20 PM

Dawn (Guest): There are many

Oct 4, 7:21 PM

VisitationSiste: We can wait a few more minutes and then start-how do you find these letters we use for chat

Oct 4, 7:22 PM

Dawn (Guest): I found a Spirtiual Director at least for the time beings. My priest of five years. Sometimes all we need to do is as,.

Oct 4, 7:22 PM

VisitationSiste: That is just wonderful!

Oct 4, 7:23 PM

Dawn (Guest): And I think these letters are helpful, good for reflections

Oct 4, 7:23 PM

VisitationSiste: It is a blessing, and may your spiritual life continue to blossom

Oct 4, 7:23 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes I find the letters easier than some other writings or maybe I should say more natural

Oct 4, 7:24 PM

VisitationSiste: I guess I can post the first q’s:

Oct 4, 7:24 PM

Dawn (Guest): Natural is good word

Oct 4, 7:24 PM

Dawn (Guest): OK

Oct 4, 7:25 PM

VisitationSiste: What does it mean to become little? Does the idea of decreasing so Christ can increase in us do away with our individuality?

Oct 4, 7:25 PM

Dawn (Guest): Little.?

Oct 4, 7:26 PM

Dawn (Guest): Sorry. Little is unassuming empty some trust

Oct 4, 7:26 PM

Dawn (Guest): Humility certainly

Oct 4, 7:26 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): HI mother susan marie this is bettychao I am coming to chat with you.

Oct 4, 7:27 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Betty!

Oct 4, 7:27 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes like St Therese, littleness is all those things you say, and maybe simplicity too

Oct 4, 7:27 PM

Dawn (Guest): As a child. They are hopeful innocent open

Oct 4, 7:27 PM

Dawn (Guest): So pp

Oct 4, 7:28 PM

Dawn (Guest): Simple. Yes

Oct 4, 7:28 PM

VisitationSiste: Sometimes it is hard to regain those attributes we had as children but spending time with kids can certtainly help to remind us

Oct 4, 7:28 PM

Dawn (Guest): Im typing on a tablet

Oct 4, 7:29 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): I was listen the nrsv audio bible in mp3 and the bible sermon cd name call i am call upond the lord because he is healing my soul the cd is 10 cds I am finished whole 10 cds and I learn alot of the bible sermon from those cds

Oct 4, 7:29 PM

VisitationSiste: cannot tell. Glad it works too.

Oct 4, 7:29 PM

Dawn (Guest): It does help to be with children. Adults are much to serious

Oct 4, 7:29 PM

VisitationSiste: directness can be a form of littleness if it is not too arrogant

Oct 4, 7:29 PM

VisitationSiste: We have children in our school and many adults have grandchildren!

Oct 4, 7:30 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sister susan I listen to those sermon cds that is help me to get closed to the teaching of jesus bettychao.

Oct 4, 7:30 PM

Dawn (Guest): Good point! I’ve seen this directness

Oct 4, 7:31 PM

VisitationSiste: As for individuality, Christ made each of us unique, so when He increases in us I feel He increases our uniqueness while He suffuses it with Himself

Oct 4, 7:31 PM

VisitationSiste: It is all so mysterious!

Oct 4, 7:32 PM

VisitationSiste: But in religious life, years ago people feared thaey would all be carbon copies of one another, for some reason

Oct 4, 7:32 PM

Dawn (Guest): These are helpful

Oct 4, 7:32 PM

VisitationSiste: I think because of the external conformity to rules and deportment

Oct 4, 7:33 PM

VisitationSiste: But what about husbands and wives- don’t they sometimes begin to resemble one another in some ways

Oct 4, 7:33 PM

Dawn (Guest): Beautiful… about how he works

Oct 4, 7:34 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sr susan today I did join the divine chaplet of divine mercy daily mass online that mass is come from the st john paul ii international shirne I was finished the whole mass and I read the bible togather I do that everyday in my whole life and get closed to the faith of the lord and I pray to the blessed secred heart of jesus and he is that one I loved and I love the sacred of heart of jesus just like st faustina kolwaska say trust jesus mercy becuase his love so care about us that is how I trust.bettychao

Oct 4, 7:35 PM

Dawn (Guest): I would think this could apply to lay people as well. Allowing yourself to be formed in truth does not mean losing uniqueness, is this correct?

Oct 4, 7:35 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes correct I truly think

Oct 4, 7:35 PM

VisitationSiste: and Betty, tomorrow is St Faustina’s Feast Day even if it is not on every calendar

Oct 4, 7:35 PM

Dawn (Guest): I think if being formed as our consciousness

Oct 4, 7:36 PM

VisitationSiste: Ah good point

Oct 4, 7:36 PM

Dawn (Guest): This may mean more in area of morals tho

Oct 4, 7:36 PM

VisitationSiste: all our experiences color our path to the truth, but TRUTH is the same for all as HE IS TRUTH

Oct 4, 7:37 PM

VisitationSiste: How in morals

Oct 4, 7:38 PM

Dawn (Guest): I’ve heard it expressed to become properly formed. As we grow. You ask a good question!

Oct 4, 7:38 PM

VisitationSiste: maybe the 10 commandments are the best guide in morals, very straightforward

Oct 4, 7:38 PM

Dawn (Guest): Yes

Oct 4, 7:39 PM

VisitationSiste: Are we, in the end, just becoming spiritually homogenous?

Oct 4, 7:39 PM

Dawn (Guest): Now I wonder what this person meant. I may have assumed it was our conscious

Oct 4, 7:39 PM

VisitationSiste: That’s not so because even if we all follow the same 10 commandments, each person’s mission in life is different and calls on different spiritual qualities

Oct 4, 7:40 PM

VisitationSiste: that’s how I see it anyway

Oct 4, 7:40 PM

VisitationSiste: What do you think Betty?

Oct 4, 7:41 PM

VisitationSiste: Discuss the “spiritual childhood” espoused by St. Thérèse of Lisieux in light of what St. Francis wrote. What’s the difference between being childlike and childish?

Oct 4, 7:42 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Betty!

Oct 4, 7:43 PM

VisitationSiste: I think this is a somewhat difficult question as none of us are Carmelites

Oct 4, 7:43 PM

VisitationSiste: but we certainly can talk about childlike vs childish I think

Oct 4, 7:43 PM

Dawn (Guest): Childish may be si,

Oct 4, 7:44 PM

Dawn (Guest): Silly immature ?

Oct 4, 7:44 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes I think so

Oct 4, 7:45 PM

Dawn (Guest): In ways children have a certain wisdom. I’ve thought of them as being c,over

Oct 4, 7:45 PM

VisitationSiste: yes like straight from their soul- things come out, right

Oct 4, 7:45 PM

VisitationSiste: Do you know any children, Betty?

Oct 4, 7:46 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sister susan some people when they have trouble time they try to find jesus and ask jesus to help them but sometime when they have deal the situtaion and they got free and happy and they forgot jesus to me is very sad when mom tell me about it and mom saw somepeople are like that they dont go to mass and they dont pray and they dont read bible and that is very sad so we need to pray for the people are like that to jesus and bring them closed to christ.betty chao

Oct 4, 7:46 PM

Dawn (Guest): Yes Closer to God

Oct 4, 7:46 PM

VisitationSiste: I agree Betty and with your mom too

Oct 4, 7:47 PM

VisitationSiste: Children yea are close to God even if they don’t know it

Oct 4, 7:47 PM

VisitationSiste: Childlike is that simplicity we spoke of

Oct 4, 7:47 PM

VisitationSiste: Childish I can’t define but I know it if I see it

Oct 4, 7:48 PM

Dawn (Guest): And then, I was amazed at hearing recently from a child…I think God has you saying that, responding to something I said

Oct 4, 7:48 PM

VisitationSiste: Maybe the worst qualities in a child, say the petulance, is the childish quality?

Oct 4, 7:48 PM

VisitationSiste: What did the child say Dawn, if you can share it?

Oct 4, 7:49 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sister susan mom always join the bible study online that bible studied online is come from the our church fr fr wu younger sister she teach the bible online in chinese she is greaduate from the catholic bible university from taiwan now she live in los angeles and she go to our church. betty chao

Oct 4, 7:50 PM

VisitationSiste: wonderful you can do it in chinese.

Oct 4, 7:50 PM

Dawn (Guest): I don’t recall what I had said, only her response to me. God is making you say that. She is 6 yrs old

Oct 4, 7:50 PM

VisitationSiste: So she can identify God in you

Oct 4, 7:50 PM

VisitationSiste: soul to soul!

Oct 4, 7:50 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): alot of people join that program with mom online zoom.

Oct 4, 7:51 PM

VisitationSiste: zoom has been very helpful during the pandemic

Oct 4, 7:51 PM

VisitationSiste: this chat works ok too

Oct 4, 7:51 PM

Dawn (Guest): Her way of expressing….yes perhaps.

Oct 4, 7:51 PM

VisitationSiste: anyway she knew to speak of God

Oct 4, 7:52 PM

Dawn (Guest): Now she is in christian school. And is reading the Bible. I see something growing in her

Oct 4, 7:52 PM

VisitationSiste: welcome viewers

Oct 4, 7:53 PM

VisitationSiste: Very wonderful for her- the Bible at her age.

Oct 4, 7:53 PM

Dawn (Guest): Yes

Oct 4, 7:53 PM

VisitationSiste: Viewers we are discussing spiritual childhood, childlike vs childish

Oct 4, 7:53 PM

VisitationSiste: St Therese had such trust, that is definitely childlike

Oct 4, 7:54 PM

VisitationSiste: confidence in God too

Oct 4, 7:54 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): thou my everlasting portion,more than friend or life to me all along my pilgrium journey, savier ,let me walk with you -crosby. for me to live is christ phil 1:12 -21 bettychao

Oct 4, 7:54 PM

VisitationSiste: it was her “little way” yet many compare that to St Francis de Sales who also wanted to emphasize the “little virtues”

Oct 4, 7:55 PM

Dawn (Guest): St Therese is one of my two patron saints. I am going to pray for her intercession in this matter

Oct 4, 7:55 PM

VisitationSiste: some say she was influenced indirectly by her Visitandine aunt, her mother’s sister

Oct 4, 7:55 PM

VisitationSiste: Is your middle name Therese?

Oct 4, 7:56 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): joel 2:12-14 whoever confesses and for sake his sins will have mercy proverbs 28:13

Oct 4, 7:57 PM

Dawn (Guest): It was given to me as Theresa, two Carmelites together

Oct 4, 7:57 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): lord please give us courage to confess our sins to bare our sinful heart to thee you full forgiveness we would know and from the weight of guilt be free. bettychao

Oct 4, 7:58 PM

VisitationSiste: What a blessed name!

Oct 4, 7:58 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Carroll

Oct 4, 7:58 PM

VisitationSiste: How can we ensure we surrender to God in the “little way”?

Oct 4, 7:58 PM

Dawn (Guest): Thank you Betty.

Oct 4, 7:59 PM

Carroll Vincent: Hi- sorryI’m late- Hi Dawn and Betty.

Oct 4, 7:59 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Carroll

Oct 4, 7:59 PM

Dawn (Guest): Glad you are here

Oct 4, 7:59 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes

Oct 4, 8:00 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): but to the son he says you have love righteousness and hate lawlessness hebrews 1:8,9 bettychao

Oct 4, 8:01 PM

Dawn (Guest): Trials and tribulations help me to surrender and remember who my Father is

Oct 4, 8:01 PM

VisitationSiste: I don’t know if we can ensure our surrender to God- I have to think about this one

Oct 4, 8:02 PM

Carroll Vincent: Surrendering to God in the ” little way” – simply, fulfilling whatever task we are given in the present moment with as much love as possible, praying for the grace to be gentle and humble moment by moment…

Oct 4, 8:02 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): jesus died to pay sins debt.that sinners might go free he also says turn from you sins if you would follow me.bettychao

Oct 4, 8:03 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes, thank you-that’s a clear way

Oct 4, 8:03 PM

Dawn (Guest): Mother Mary shows us

Oct 4, 8:03 PM

Carroll Vincent: Yes!

Oct 4, 8:04 PM

VisitationSiste: Very true

Oct 4, 8:04 PM

VisitationSiste: Beg for her help

Oct 4, 8:04 PM

VisitationSiste: The little way fits most of us!

Oct 4, 8:05 PM

Dawn (Guest): As a spiritual goal

Oct 4, 8:06 PM

VisitationSiste: striving with each occasion to remember it and try to live it

Oct 4, 8:06 PM

Dawn (Guest): Well no. My goal is to become holy and to be worthy to be with him when I leave here

Oct 4, 8:07 PM

Dawn (Guest): The little way then can assist in this, where we surrender everything, or learn to

Oct 4, 8:08 PM

VisitationSiste: Well expressed, thank you!

Oct 4, 8:08 PM

Carroll Vincent: Maybe short-term goals and Long-term goals Dawn? …Both/and… the “”little way” is a path to holiness, yes?

Oct 4, 8:08 PM

Dawn (Guest): I think so!

Oct 4, 8:10 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sister susan marie I have a teacher a tutor she is a christian but she teach me math and calender and money and shopping everyday the samething in the zoom but mom want her to teach me the different thing and she say to my mom I cant obey and follow you you want me to teach betty different thing becuase mom want her to teach me different calender she argue with my mom and accused her in front of the manager . how can a christian to those things she is christian a faithful christian how can she been bad

Oct 4, 8:11 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): and them when my mom hear this situation me and mom is upset and cry out and I pray and ask the lord tom help me find a good teacher to teach me some good skills in the zoom. a good teacher bettychoa for sister susan marie

Oct 4, 8:11 PM

VisitationSiste: disagreements don’t always mean someone is bad but in how they express that disagreement

Oct 4, 8:11 PM

VisitationSiste: we will pray for a good teacher for you

Oct 4, 8:12 PM

Dawn (Guest): Its good for me, us to ponder spiritual things, writings , but sometimes I feel cautious to not over reason

Oct 4, 8:12 PM

VisitationSiste: I think this last question applies to Betty’s situation and similar ones

Oct 4, 8:12 PM

VisitationSiste: St. Jane de Chantal was superior of her community. How can a superior be humble before
her sisters, and yet engender a respect for her authority?

Oct 4, 8:13 PM

Carroll Vincent: Yes, Betty, We will pray for you and for your mother and for a peaceable solution.

Oct 4, 8:14 PM

Ruth (Guest): I’ve just been catching up on the chat.

Oct 4, 8:14 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sister susan now my blood sugar getting better and this morning when I check my blood sugar thank jesus my blood sugar 105.

Oct 4, 8:14 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Ruth!!

Oct 4, 8:14 PM

Carroll Vincent: Hi Ruth!

Oct 4, 8:15 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth!

Oct 4, 8:15 PM

Dawn (Guest): Good blood sugar betty

Oct 4, 8:15 PM

Ruth (Guest): Good questions. And discussion. We had a special service honoring St. Theresa today.

Oct 4, 8:16 PM

VisitationSiste: I think any leader or parent, etc can be in the same situation as St jane as Superior

Oct 4, 8:16 PM

Ruth (Guest): Hello Sister, Dawn, Carroll, Betty.

Oct 4, 8:17 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sr susan my health is good and getting better and I exorcise alot that is make my sugar getting better and everyday I exercise I was listen to the gaspel sermon and I pray and I say lord please help me eat healthy and healing my blood sugar.bettychao to sr susan

Oct 4, 8:17 PM

Dawn (Guest): I just thought of Teresa of Avila…bold

Oct 4, 8:18 PM

VisitationSiste: Great!

Oct 4, 8:19 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): I have seen the st teresa of avila that movie is very good that can help me to love jesus more and obey jesus and serve the church as st teresa of avila did. the letter for sr susan from bettychao

Oct 4, 8:19 PM

VisitationSiste: did not seethat movie

Oct 4, 8:20 PM

Dawn (Guest): Would you think of her as having humility? I don’t understand enough of her to say. Or St Jane…..this is a great question mother

Oct 4, 8:20 PM

Ruth (Guest): Yes, Dawn, the two Teresas /Theresas had very different personalities and very different ways to holiness.

Oct 4, 8:20 PM

VisitationSiste: I think when a leader admits mistakes that is a sign of humility yet the leader remains in authority

Oct 4, 8:21 PM

Carroll Vincent: There was a wonderful quote from St. Jane de Chantal in the calendar from the Sisters in Mobile for September: ” Charity is a good mother who conducts and governs all things rightly, justly, sincerely, and holily.” … Charity- doing each thing with Love of God and neighbor… humility is inherent in charity, so that about sums it up…

Oct 4, 8:21 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): this saint is my friend sister teresa forcades avila holy saints and also is her favorite saints that is her holy name.letter to sr susan from bettychao.

Oct 4, 8:22 PM

Dawn (Guest): Great quote to share Carroll

Oct 4, 8:23 PM

VisitationSiste: yes

Oct 4, 8:23 PM

VisitationSiste: need to go- phone- blessings

Oct 4, 8:24 PM

Carroll Vincent: Thank you Mother Susan Marie- have a blessed week!

Oct 4, 8:24 PM

Carroll Vincent: How are you Ruth?

Oct 4, 8:25 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): sister susan I always watch the ewtn you interview with fr match pacwa and I learn alot you talk about st francis de sales and holy heart of jesus and work of you monastery that is help me to understand all the holy works from the priest and nuns that works for jesus in his church with the saints and holy faith.bettychao to sr susan marie.

Oct 4, 8:27 PM

Carroll Vincent: Just want you to know I’ve been continuing to pray for you, especially … glad you were able to join us for a bit tonight. Take Care!

Oct 4, 8:27 PM

Dawn (Guest): Thank you Sr Susan. I think you left

Oct 4, 8:28 PM

Ruth (Guest): Thank you Carroll. Starting third week of cycle two, feeling better with a bit more time since the chemo.

Oct 4, 8:28 PM

Guest6526 (Guest): I have to leave and I will pray for you all .have good day jesus love you.bettychao

Oct 4, 8:28 PM

Carroll Vincent: Good night Betty- blessings!

Oct 4, 8:28 PM

Dawn (Guest): Good night Betty, thank you

Oct 4, 8:28 PM

Ruth (Guest): I really appreciate your continuing prayers.

Oct 4, 8:30 PM

Carroll Vincent: You and Dawn have been so faithful to this group… you all are more of a blessing than you could possibly realise… thank you!

Oct 4, 8:30 PM

Dawn (Guest): I hope things are going well for you Ruth.

Oct 4, 8:30 PM

Carroll Vincent: I should say ” good night,” as well.

Oct 4, 8:31 PM

Dawn (Guest): I’ve sent some emails in chance you would find them. Prayi g for you. And thank you Carroll

Oct 4, 8:31 PM

Ruth (Guest): Thank you Dawn. Overtired now. Good night. God bless you!

Oct 4, 8:32 PM

Carroll Vincent: 💖 & 🙏sss

Oct 4, 8:32 PM

Dawn (Guest): Goodnight everyone. Thank you for coming in Ruth.

Oct 4, 8:32 PM Dawn (Guest): Gods blessings…..