If nothing can put asunder what God has joined, how is it that people of belief know that salvation is not an automatic thing? St. Francis emphasizes unity in this letter, but he stresses that this unity is found in God and in Jesus Christ. What does this mean? Why is it important for “unity” to be rooted like this? What would “unity” look like if our idea of it is abstract and there is nothing specific for us to unite around? Why does God often call us to leave everything, even family, in orde
Jan 31, 10:22 AM
VisitationSiste: in order to follow Him?
Why is it that peace can only be found in God?
This last letter of St. Francis seems like a send-off. It provides encouragement in a general sense, but without dealing with any specific problems. Could it be that St. Francis sensed his coming death? Is this the kind of encouragement that you would give to your loved ones during your last days?
Jan 31, 7:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Betty
Jan 31, 7:21 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Hi mother susan marie how are you?
Jan 31, 7:21 PM
VisitationSiste: ok did you go to Church
Jan 31, 7:22 PM
Bettychao (Guest): This is bettychao i just finished mass from the church yes i did and i chat with you in the cell phone
Jan 31, 7:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Great!
Jan 31, 7:24 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan is that georgetown visitation monastery is the first generation of the visitation or second generation?
Jan 31, 7:25 PM
VisitationSiste: Federation do you mean? It is second
Jan 31, 7:25 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Yes
Jan 31, 7:26 PM
VisitationSiste: Second Federation
Jan 31, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Carol Anne and Lisa
Jan 31, 7:27 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Hi Everyone!
Jan 31, 7:28 PM
Lisa C: Hi Mother, Betty, and Carol Ann
Jan 31, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: welcome all!
Jan 31, 7:28 PM
Lisa C: Happy snow
Jan 31, 7:28 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan i was listen the christian hymns that is cantonese name call greatist and high priest is a cd that is really help my prayers more closed to jesus and his holy eucharist is a hymns of worship that has sermon in it it is help me guide in to the prayer
Jan 31, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s great Betty
Jan 31, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: It is snowing in NY too
Jan 31, 7:30 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sister in February 23 i will be go to kansas city kansas
Jan 31, 7:30 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: We had some snow in the mountains here too
Jan 31, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Did you all grasp the first question? It is worded a bit funy or should I say the meaning mite not be clear
Jan 31, 7:31 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Yes please
Jan 31, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: If nothing can put asunder what God has joined, how is it that people of belief know that salvation is not an automatic thing?
Jan 31, 7:31 PM
Lisa C: Because we have free will, to accept grace or not
Jan 31, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: To me one has to refer back to the unity between St Jane and St Francis to get this
Jan 31, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Ah Lisa you understood it right away!
Jan 31, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: I thought it a bit unclears
Jan 31, 7:32 PM
Lisa C: Sr. Margaret Mary’s fault
Jan 31, 7:32 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: But we are never really separated from God because then we would cease to exist?
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi everyone
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Hi Dawn!
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: Dawn- it’s been a few weeks how are you
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
Lisa C: Hi Dawn
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: Separated from His Glory maybe?
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
Lisa C: The devil is separated from God and exists
Jan 31, 7:33 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi , yes its been awhile since I came here. I am good, hope everyone is here as well\
Jan 31, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: I took it as if for ex 2 souls are united but one needs purgatory and the other goes straight to heaven
Jan 31, 7:34 PM
Lisa C: I think if we were in hell we would exist
Jan 31, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: so totsl salvation is not automatic just because you are united with someone.
Jan 31, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: total
Jan 31, 7:34 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Because we exist in God but we don’t let Him exist in us
Jan 31, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: I think you all grasped it better
Jan 31, 7:35 PM
Lisa C: God does not force Himself on us
Jan 31, 7:35 PM
SImone (Guest): Hi everyone
Jan 31, 7:35 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Simone
Jan 31, 7:35 PM
Lisa C: I think anyone who knows Him could not reject Him
Jan 31, 7:35 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Hi Simone!
Jan 31, 7:35 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan when i go to kansas i go to st micheal archangel catholic parish for mass because their church father is fr brian he is come from cure of ars catholic church, when i was alter server i was work with fr charles and fr brian before i move to los angeles, that is the same fr brian in the st michale that i go every saturday mass in kansas
Jan 31, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: I did not know you lived in Kansas!
Jan 31, 7:36 PM
Lisa C: St. Gertrude said everyone will have a chance at the moment of death. I think no one will reject Him then. How could they?
Jan 31, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: very hardened heart??
Jan 31, 7:37 PM
Lisa C: I mean when someone knows Him
Jan 31, 7:37 PM
Lisa C: I hard heart does not know Him yet
Jan 31, 7:37 PM
SImone (Guest): We have a free will. If salvation was without our consent – it would not be an act of love on either side
Jan 31, 7:37 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Now father charles pass way just now and he died when i work with him he is very old
Jan 31, 7:37 PM
VisitationSiste: St. Francis emphasizes unity in this letter, but he stresses that this unity is found in God and in Jesus Christ. What does this mean?
Jan 31, 7:38 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: That He unites us in a supernatural way that we cannot achieve
Jan 31, 7:39 PM
Lisa C: God is eternal and we are mortal, unless we participate in His life we are dead
Jan 31, 7:39 PM
Lisa C: The only real life is in God
Jan 31, 7:40 PM
SImone (Guest): I took his words – that He and St. Jane were united in Holy Love – or Holy Spirit – which is rooted in Jesus Christ.
Jan 31, 7:40 PM
Lisa C: Everything else passes away until the end of the world when he remakes the perfect world= heavenly Jerusalem
Jan 31, 7:40 PM
Bettychao (Guest): The whole bible is the apostles write down what jesus teach them and what jesus do, because jesus found the teaching of the holy bible and the church that is the sermon of worship come from and holy eucharist come from, bettychao
Jan 31, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: When people are enamored of each other they do not always realize that thir true unity will come to be when God is their center
Jan 31, 7:40 PM
SImone (Guest): this unity was not coming from a place of affection or emotion, but was a result of GOD’s love in both of them. Like the Love of Father and The Love of Christ for each other brings forth the Holy Spirit
Jan 31, 7:41 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: We think we do all the work in relationships ourselves when we really don’t
Jan 31, 7:41 PM
Lisa C: Mother, I think this is a good explanation of why only Christians can have a sacramental marriage
Jan 31, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: but St Francis always knew this and his friendship with St Jane was highly spiritual
Jan 31, 7:41 PM
Lisa C: God joins people in Him
Jan 31, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: Interesting Lisa, yes
Jan 31, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: Even in friendship or religious community life our relationships are best when truly in God
Jan 31, 7:42 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sister i will have second corovirus shot in February this month
Jan 31, 7:43 PM
SImone (Guest): Oh Betty I am so happy for you that you can get the Corono vaccination
Jan 31, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: I will pray for that day for you Betty
Jan 31, 7:43 PM
Bettychao (Guest): But i am fraide when i got second shot that i will have fever please pray for me
Jan 31, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: I will pray!
Jan 31, 7:43 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: I will Betty
Jan 31, 7:43 PM
SImone (Guest): I will pray too Betty
Jan 31, 7:44 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Thanks
Jan 31, 7:44 PM
VisitationSiste: Why is it important for “unity” to be rooted like this?
Jan 31, 7:44 PM
SImone (Guest): boy.. your questions are not easy tonight, Sister
Jan 31, 7:44 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I was watch the sr berchman interview in the live in youtube
Jan 31, 7:45 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Our emotions and failings can inadvertently end relationships but the Spirit can speak to each soul on behalf of the other
Jan 31, 7:45 PM
SImone (Guest): good way to put it Carol
Jan 31, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes!
Jan 31, 7:46 PM
SImone (Guest): unity – rooted in Christ – becomes sacrificial love
Jan 31, 7:46 PM
SImone (Guest): and sacrificial love overcomes
Jan 31, 7:46 PM
Dawn (Guest): to question, surrendering everything to God, even our friendships relationships allows Him to work and to bring all to his Holy will
Jan 31, 7:47 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I have a sister a nun name call sr anna nubiola her age just like sr mary berchman she is 90 year old she work in the monastery saint benet book store she is benediction nun she be my closed grandma she accept me as her closed grand child
Jan 31, 7:47 PM
Dawn (Guest): that is beautiful Betty. A true blessing
Jan 31, 7:48 PM
SImone (Guest): Dawn .. I like this.. ” to bring all to His Holy will”
Jan 31, 7:48 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan what is that mean benediction
Jan 31, 7:48 PM
VisitationSiste: it means benedictine I think Benedictine nun
Jan 31, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: and surrender is important in all relationships
Jan 31, 7:49 PM
Lisa C: Surrender brings peace
Jan 31, 7:50 PM
Lisa C: It requires trust
Jan 31, 7:50 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan why cathchcsm of the catholic church is teaching of jesus?
Jan 31, 7:50 PM
VisitationSiste: It is Jesus’ teaching developed over centuries with the help of the Holy Spirit
Jan 31, 7:51 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan what is that mean visitation?
Jan 31, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: to visit
Jan 31, 7:51 PM
Dawn (Guest): it does Lisa. the alternative is resisting or struggling with how relationships are sometimes
Jan 31, 7:52 PM
VisitationSiste: The next q is too abstract for me!! What would “unity” look like if our idea of it is abstract and there is nothing specific for us to unite around?
Jan 31, 7:53 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Like modern life where “in” and “out” changes on awhim?
Jan 31, 7:53 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan like my holy name my saint is st teresa liux the little flower, how they become saint and what they do to accept jesus in their life?
Jan 31, 7:53 PM
Lisa C: When Jesus was in the Garden praying and asking God to take this cup away He sweat blood. He was resisting God the Father, but then accepted what His Father wanted.
Jan 31, 7:53 PM
Dawn (Guest): first thought…image of the universe. is it the Hubble pics?
Jan 31, 7:54 PM
Lisa C: Even Jesus surrendered His will
Jan 31, 7:54 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes, he did good example lisa
Jan 31, 7:54 PM
SImone (Guest): I really do not get the question fully. Does it speak about ” redeemed material”? That God can be found in everything?
Jan 31, 7:55 PM
SImone (Guest): I am referring to the “unity” question. the abstract one
Jan 31, 7:55 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr susan i need to leave because i have to go market to walk around i will chat with you next werk .
Jan 31, 7:56 PM
VisitationSiste: OK Betty! I will work on St Therese of L. for you!
Jan 31, 7:56 PM
Dawn (Guest): bye Betty!
Jan 31, 7:56 PM
VisitationSiste: I think it is amorphous like someone indicated
Jan 31, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: like new age type unity, unclear, undefined
Jan 31, 7:57 PM
SImone (Guest): Ok.. get it
Jan 31, 7:58 PM
SImone (Guest): yes, amorphous is a great word for it
Jan 31, 7:58 PM
Lisa C: What is amorphous
Jan 31, 7:58 PM
SImone (Guest): without a clearly defined shape
Jan 31, 7:58 PM
SImone (Guest): lacking a clear structure
Jan 31, 7:59 PM
Lisa C: I know, what it means, but what are you saying is amorphous
Jan 31, 7:59 PM
SImone (Guest): oh
Jan 31, 7:59 PM
SImone (Guest): I thought ” the kind of Unity”
Jan 31, 7:59 PM
VisitationSiste: the unity, maybe I am not expressing it well. I struggle with this one
Jan 31, 7:59 PM
SImone (Guest): actually.. you helped me understand it much better Sister
Jan 31, 7:59 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Unity means there is a common core
Jan 31, 8:00 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: If Christ is not then core then what is?
Jan 31, 8:00 PM
Lisa C: Sorry, but I think the unity is far from amorphous. We do not melt into God, we retain our personhood, just as the Trinity does.
Jan 31, 8:00 PM
SImone (Guest): yes of course Lisa.. totally agree
Jan 31, 8:00 PM
SImone (Guest): the question was.. what if ???
Jan 31, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: We are not balls of play dough that get smashed into one
Jan 31, 8:01 PM
SImone (Guest): ouch
Jan 31, 8:01 PM
VisitationSiste: I think we are talking about a unity that is not God centered now- however I may be getting this all wrong!
Jan 31, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: oh
Jan 31, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: Yes, God lets us stay ourself forever…eternal soul
Jan 31, 8:02 PM
Lisa C: I just wonder what God was doing before he made us all
Jan 31, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: Loving!
Jan 31, 8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): such interesting thoughtful chat!
Jan 31, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: great chatters and spiritual women here!
Jan 31, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: Why does God often call us to leave everything, even family, in order to follow Him?
Jan 31, 8:03 PM
SImone (Guest): oh boy.. this one hits home
Jan 31, 8:04 PM
Lisa C: We cannot really put God first if we have to take care of other people or things
Jan 31, 8:04 PM
SImone (Guest): I left everything behind in July 2003. And interestingly I had a friend, and the friendship with her was truly ” a unity rooted in Christ”
Jan 31, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: We must give up all distractions, even if those distractions are good
Jan 31, 8:05 PM
Dawn (Guest): Painful release
Jan 31, 8:05 PM
SImone (Guest): and from all people- I had the feeling I did not leave her “really”…cause I knew we were united through the Holy Spirit
Jan 31, 8:05 PM
Lisa C: Well, maybe that is not totally true, because some people have vocations to take care of people, but they probably do it better if they see God in the people they take care of
Jan 31, 8:06 PM
SImone (Guest): God is not a sadist. When he takes away all that is familiar for one – He comes as the one who is most familiar to your heart
Jan 31, 8:06 PM
Lisa C: To do God’s will rather than our own we have to put Him first
Jan 31, 8:06 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes Simone!
Jan 31, 8:06 PM
SImone (Guest): I know Lisa, but it still can be very hard sometimes.
Jan 31, 8:06 PM
Lisa C: Oh yes, Simone
Jan 31, 8:07 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Because dome of the things we are asked to leave are good. But He is better
Jan 31, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: Each call is different. St Jane had to lose her husband and give up family life in general for her call but other calls like say the St Therese and her sisters they lived together in their new call
Jan 31, 8:08 PM
SImone (Guest): What became so clear to me in this time was ” that in my own culture – in the life I had chosen for myself – I did not really need to depend on GOD. He took away my self sufficiency.. and boy- did I ever hate that.
Jan 31, 8:08 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Amen Simone! Things are better this way though
Jan 31, 8:08 PM
SImone (Guest): down the road they are.. yes they are
Jan 31, 8:09 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: But I won’t deny how hard the struggle is
Jan 31, 8:09 PM
SImone (Guest): thank you Carol
Jan 31, 8:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): and so, in Gods mercy and love for us, our soul is refined
Jan 31, 8:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): and it can be painful
Jan 31, 8:11 PM
SImone (Guest): there is a reason I guess Dawn, why they call it ” refining fire”, right?
Jan 31, 8:11 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes
Jan 31, 8:11 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Yes, like the flames of purgatory
Jan 31, 8:12 PM
VisitationSiste: Why is it that peace can only be found in God?
Jan 31, 8:12 PM
SImone (Guest): I read once, that a goldsmith was asked, when he knew that the material was hot enough and that the new made spoon was ready? He said.. “when I can see myself in it”.. And so I think it is with GOD.. His refining fire is until He sees Himself in us
Jan 31, 8:13 PM
VisitationSiste: Beautiful
Jan 31, 8:13 PM
Dawn (Guest): <3
Jan 31, 8:13 PM
Lisa C: I think because we struggle without God, but with God we are where He wants us to be.
Jan 31, 8:13 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Oh Simone that takes my breath away
Jan 31, 8:14 PM
Lisa C: Trust Him and float through the waves
Jan 31, 8:14 PM
SImone (Guest): thanks.. too kind
Jan 31, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: and maybe that’s when we have full peace?
Jan 31, 8:16 PM
SImone (Guest): as for peace.. whenever I stray away from GOD, I become in one way or another important for myself.. I have to guard my own needs, desires and wants.. but when I totally fall into GOD’s arms, all these things leave me – I can give myself fully to the world around and peace enters my heart
Jan 31, 8:17 PM
Lisa C: With suffering when it is united to Jesus’ suffering it brings peace and it makes no sense, it just happens because He lets it
Jan 31, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: He uses it to save people who need help
Jan 31, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: If you have had that experience it is something to treasure
Jan 31, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: Yes
Jan 31, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: It is not explainable
Jan 31, 8:18 PM
SImone (Guest): I agree. That experience is rare and truly to be trasured
Jan 31, 8:18 PM
SImone (Guest): treasured
Jan 31, 8:19 PM
Lisa C: You can read about it, but do not understand until it happens
Jan 31, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: It is. I find myself in difficult situations that just work and later I ask myself what just happened?
Jan 31, 8:19 PM
Dawn (Guest): Surrender and God will do everything for you. I think this is the sign at the convent? not sure it is worded correct
Jan 31, 8:20 PM
Lisa C: I would not just call it peace, it is more like ecstasy
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): supernatural love, not human love
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Just about right Dawn; surrender to God and He will do everything for you
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
SImone (Guest): so this sounds more like a mystic experience
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
Lisa C: But only when pain is unbearably bad
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you!
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
Lisa C: Not mystical, offering suffering
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
SImone (Guest): I meant the ecstasy part
Jan 31, 8:21 PM
Lisa C: It is a closeness to God
Jan 31, 8:23 PM
SImone (Guest): I have experienced tremendous peace in God’s presence, a consolation so sweet that it put a huge grin on my face – but I never experienced something like ecstasy
Jan 31, 8:24 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Me neither, but I’m smiling just thinking about the peace too
Jan 31, 8:24 PM
SImone (Guest):
Jan 31, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Last Q: This last letter of St. Francis seems like a send-off. It provides encouragement in a general sense, but without dealing with any specific problems. Could it be that St. Francis sensed his coming death? Is this the kind of encouragement that you would give to your loved ones during your last days?
Jan 31, 8:25 PM
SImone (Guest): I loved, loved, loved this letter. So very much. And yes, if these words would come to my mind, I would love to write them during my last days
Jan 31, 8:27 PM
SImone (Guest): by the way.. I missed the beginning of today. I could not find the words of blessing in Genesis.. when St. Francis writes that these are the words of Jacob ” called down upon himself when he set out for Bethel”. Do you have a reference for this Sister Susan. It is so very beautiful. In fact – I quoted this blessing to a friend today, who is going into the hospital tomorrow for an operation
Jan 31, 8:27 PM
SImone (Guest): I would like to use the original in the future
Jan 31, 8:27 PM
Dawn (Guest): truly a love letter. yes, I hope I can write something just like this
Jan 31, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: It is kind of late to say things when you are dying, but I think if my daughter were with me when I were dying I would say the same things I did when she was growing up. I would tell her about God and want her to love Him.
Jan 31, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: I would also ask for prayers for me
Jan 31, 8:28 PM
Dawn (Guest): Lisa, how beautiful
Jan 31, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: Simone I will have to look
Jan 31, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: We will pray Lisa
Jan 31, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Thre is something mixed up in the newsletters
Jan 31, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: I meant if I were dying, but thank you for the prayers for me now
Jan 31, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: I received a different one than what is posted and the posted one is alittle mixed up- i
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Oh OK LIsa!!!
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
Lisa C: I was still answering the question
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
Lisa C: LOL
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Prayers for all of you and I appreciate yours too!
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
Lisa C: Yes, Mother I will pray for all of you
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Have a blessed week- it is Feast of Presentation Tues and First Friday and St Blaise also!
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
SImone (Guest): Thank you all for this wonderful chat tonight again.
Jan 31, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Thank you Sister! Have a blessed week
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Thank you too!
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): it has been good to visit here this evening. thank you all. God bless!
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
Lisa C: God be praised!
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Amen.
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
SImone (Guest): Amen
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Amen. So much to celebrate this week
Jan 31, 8:31 PM
SImone (Guest): Yes
Jan 31, 8:32 PM
SImone (Guest): Night night everyone!
Jan 31, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann Chybowski: Good night!