What do you think of St. Francis (a bishop) instructing to not use phrases of ceremony with him? What might it indicate about their connection? How can we pursue spiritual perfection without becoming scrupulous and anxious about it? Connected to that, discuss this quote: “It follows that we should not be astonished to find ourselves imperfect, for we should never see ourselves otherwise in this life; nor should we let this upset us, as it cannot be helped, but rather let it be a cause for humili
Jun 20, 8:08 AM
VisitationSiste: humility, for this is the way to correct our faults and gradually improve.”St. Francis mentions that we should walk with such confidence in God as a child does whose sleeve is held by his mother. How can we achieve this confidence?Regarding what St. Francis said regarding following the advice of the recipient’s temporal father: Why does God choose mediators to work in our lives; why does he not more directly interact with us?If we are too demanding of ourselves, might that come from a form of pride? How d
Jun 20, 8:08 AM
VisitationSiste: How do we get our minds off of ourselves, as St. Francis suggests?
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Jun 20, 7:26 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Ruth How is Miriam
Jun 20, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome viewers
32 PM
Elena (Guest): I’d just like to say that I LOVE The image of God holding on to me (by my will, or by my sleeve). I’m used to thinking of myself grasping for Him, but that He would hold onto me is quite comforting and helps me realize His tender love. 34 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes I cling to Jesus but dont think of Jesus clinging to me5 PM
Elena (Guest): Exactly… that is something to meditate on. Thank you for that! PM
VisitationSiste: What do you think of St. Francis (a bishop) instructing to not use phrases of ceremony with him?
Jun 20, 7:37 PM
Elena (Guest): He wants to speak heart to heart, I think. Ceremony distances, whereas personal, uninhibited communication connects.
Jun 20, 7:37 PM
Dawn (Guest): Greetings everyone
Jun 20, 7:37 PM
7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: and Bishops probably have lots of people who are ceremoniuos with them so to develop a friendship or establish comfort must be more rare 0 PM
Dawn (Guest): Especially today I would thik
Jun 20, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: In spiritual direction respect is needed but not ceremony
1 PM
Elena (Guest): Ah yes, that makes sense. Respect allows for true interaction. q How can we pursue spiritual perfection without becoming scrupulous and anxious about it?
Jun 20, 7:45 PM
Elena (Guest): I think St Francis de Sales gets to the heart of it — don’t worry about being perfect, but simply do what we need to do with Jesus in our sight, not examining ourselves ad infinitum
Jun 20, 7:45 PM
Elena (Guest): too much navel gazing = scrupulosity and anxiet
7:46 PM
Dawn (Guest): this letter helped me to consider how I may be pushing, or feeling there are places I “should” obtain and this causes anxiety.
Jun 20, 7:46 PM
Elena (Guest): We will never be perfect in this life, so we strive for pleasing God and relying on His grace to get to heaven while we do all that He asks.
, 7:46 PM
Elena (Guest): (…says the perfectionist who is hard on everyone including herself…)
Jun 20, 7:47 PM
Ruth (Guest): sorry I was away from the computer for a few minutes, and will be again interrupted a bit.
Jun 20, 7:47 PM
VisitationSiste: So true. I think I worry most if I feel I am backsliding
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47 PM
VisitationSiste: So true. I think I worry most if I feel I am backsliding
Jun 20, 7:47 PM
Elena (Guest): Right, Sr Susan. Like I should have “graduated” from that level of imperfection.
Jun 20, 7:48 PM
Ruth (Guest): Excellent letter form St. Francis. Miriam is home now. It’ll be a couple of weeks before she can get PT for her broken arm, but she is happy to sleep in her own bed — and exhausted from having to advocate for herself.
Jun 20, 7:48 PM
Elena (Guest): Lifting up prayers for Miriam!
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VisitationSiste: I never used to think of perfection I just wanted to reach a balanced state discuss this quote: “It follows that we should not be astonished to find ourselves imperfect, for we should never see ourselves otherwise in this life; nor should we let this upset us, as it cannot be helped, but rather let it be a cause for humili
Jun 20, 8:08 AM
VisitationSiste: humility, for this is the way to correct our faults and gradually improve
Jun 20, 7:51 PM
Elena (Guest): Oh right… I understand. Normalcy… I have no idea what that is, lol
Jun 20, 7:52 PM
Dawn (Guest): Humility. this maybe the most important virtue?
Jun 20, 7:52 PM
Elena (Guest): I think he’s saying not to be so hard on ourselves when our imperfections manifest themselves. Repent, try to do better, rely on him, and recall that He is God (and we are not).
Jun 20, 7:52 PM
Ruth (Guest): You make me laugh, Sister. Normalcy! And you entered a monastery to find normalcy.
0, 7:54 PM
VisitationSiste: Yep! and He made me approach PM
Dawn (Guest): a beautiful vocation
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Ruth
Dawn
5 PM
Dawn (Guest): its great with internet so many sisters reach out and share their life. its lovely :56 PM
VisitationSiste: But truly humility is the basis for everything
Jun 20, 7:56 PM
Dawn (Guest): Like you Sr Susan, the Visitation. I think that is the key to increasing vocations
Jun 20, 7:57 PM
Dawn (Guest): humility
Jun 20, 7:57 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, I believe humility is the basis for everything; think about the fact that Original Sin came from Pride. The antidote is Humility.
Jun 20, 7:57 PM
Elena (Guest): (easier said than done – ha!)
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VisitationSiste: Like truth and simplicity- little virtues but not easy
Jun 20, 7:58 PM
Ruth (Guest): I used to think “Balance” was a good goal. My 10th grade biology club moderator, who happened to be studying philosophy and literature at the time and is now in his mid nineties, said: “Nothing has been accomplished by being “balanced”; it is — what was the word he used? — enthusiasm, single minded- ness that gets things done. But maybe he was not right? You, sister, always amaze me at how you do so much, and always right on time.
Jun 20, 7:59 PM
Dawn (Guest): I do wish near me there was a monastary to visit regularly, or attend Mass.
7:59 PM
Dawn (Guest): I do wish near me there was a monastary to visit regularly, or attend Mass.
Jun 20, 7:59 PM
VisitationSiste: Ruth I think it is not what we accomplish but what God accomplishes in us
Jun 20, 8:00 PM
Dawn (Guest): there!
Jun 20, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: For some they are made lively, others more moderate like St Jane and St Francis
Jun 20, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: Monasteries are not common anymore
Jun 20, 8:00 PM
Elena (Guest): Sadly
01 PM
Elena (Guest): We have a Carmelite monastery here in Rochester, NY. They finally opened up their chapel to the public not long ago. They are a true blessing to our Diocese.
Jun 20, 8:02 PM
Ruth (Guest): Very, very important point, Sister: what God accomplishes in us. And we need to be careful NOT to get in the way.
8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): would it be convents? there is an Carmelite Order of the Strict Observance, they post on fb. they are in France. so very beautiful!
Jun 20, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: q St. Francis mentions that we should walk with such confidence in God as a child does whose sleeve is held by his mother. How can we achieve this confidence?
3 PM
VisitationSiste: q St. Francis mentions that we should walk with such confidence in God as a child does whose sleeve is held by his mother. How can we achieve this confidence?
Jun 20, 8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): much trust
Jun 20, 8:04 PM
Elena (Guest): such a good question… I think it takes time for many of us, repeatedly turning to Him even when we have spectacularly failed in some way. Over time, that confidence grows in the Spirit.
Jun 20, 8:04 PM
Dawn (Guest): and God seems to allow situations I think that can help us grow if we see it this way
Jun 20, 8:05 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, Dawn, that seems true, doesn’t it? Situations we could see as bleak or rail against are actually opportunities to cling to him and remember that he never lets go of us.
Jun 20, 8:05 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes
6 PM
Dawn (Guest): learning to ask….what do you want me to do here? what is your will? that surrendering.
Jun 20, 8:07 PM
Elena (Guest): Surrender, yes.
Jun 20, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: Children too dont think they can do so much at least not very young ones
Jun 20, 8:07 PM
Ruth (Guest): I agree, Dawn. And if anything, my disabilities have helped me to rely more on God — and other people –and hard as I find that, it is probably a step in the right direction.
8 PM
Dawn (Guest): I agree Ruth, so much to learn in those situations 8:09 PM
Elena (Guest): Doesn’t St. Paul tell the young people not to think their youth goes against them?
Jun 20, 8:09 PM
Elena (Guest): I’m tired and can’t think of that passage
Jun 20, 8:09 PM
Dawn (Guest): Elena what state are you in, if ok to ask
Jun 20, 8:09 PM
VisitationSiste: to Timothy maybe?
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Ruth (Guest): Or St. Benedict? He has even the youngest brothers’ input as equally worthy of being listened to (in the Rule).
Jun 20, 8:10 PM
Elena (Guest): Dawn – in New York. Rochester, NY
Jun 20, 8:11 PM
VisitationSiste: Why does God choose mediators to work in our lives; why does he not more directly interact with us?
8:11 PM
Elena (Guest): Perhaps this helps to strengthen our bonds of charity with one another. 8:12 PM
Elena (Guest): God acts in, through, and for people in their interactions. We all get to participate in His Plan in this way, even if we don’t know it. 0, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): good question 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: A friend of mine now was a mediator for me
Jun 20, 8:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): good point Ruth, St Benedict. yes children have much wisdom. I did not know he inc in his rule
Jun 20, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Her obvious joy in Christ was so great I wanted that too
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VisitationSiste: A friend of mine now was a mediator for me
Jun 20, 8:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): good point Ruth, St Benedict. yes children have much wisdom. I did not know he inc in his rule
Jun 20, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Her obvious joy in Christ was so great I wanted that too
Jun 20, 8:16 PM
Elena (Guest): How beautiful, Sister. I guess I’m wondering what exactly you mean by “mediator.”
Jun 20, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): How does a mediator work?
Jun 20, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: Someone who works between you and God somehow
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VisitationSiste: Someone who works between you and God somehow
Jun 20, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): is it like a spiritual director?
Jun 20, 8:16 PM
Elena (Guest): Okay, I think I understand.
Jun 20, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes could be a director
Jun 20, 8:17 PM
Dawn (Guest): That would be Mother Mary!
Jun 20, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: anyone whom God uses to bring you closer to Himself
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Elena (Guest): Ladies… I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’m fading fast, and I still have to water plants and do dishes etc. before Night Prayer and bed. God bless you, Sister Susan, Ruth and Dawn!
Jun 20, 8:18 PM
Dawn (Guest): it could also be a brief encounter with someone
Jun 20, 8:18 PM
Elena (Guest): Have a wonderful week. See you next week.
Jun 20, 8:18 PM
Dawn (Guest): God Bless Elena. Thank you, till them
Jun 20, 8:20 PM
VisitationSiste: God bless Elena Get rest!
1 PM
Ruth (Guest): I know a priest, now in Austria, who as a non-Catholic attended an elementary school in Lake Placid, NY. He saw classmates coming from Confession smiling, clearly happy, and wanted some of that: conversion, Ordination. Now his mother frequently comes to that church, helps with the cleaning, is so humble, and yet she feels God could not accept her after the way she has lived. I and her son, and probably many others, pray for her. 1 PM
VisitationSiste: Powerful story!
Jun 20, 8:22 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes, she comes to your church Ruth?
Jun 20, 8:22 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, St. Agnes in Lake Placid.
Jun 20, 8:23 PM
Dawn (Guest): Has she entered the Church , or no, want to understand
0, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: We never know when God will use us as a mediator 4 PM
VisitationSiste: We never know when God will use us as a mediator
Jun 20, 8:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): use us? ok, did not think of it this way
Jun 20, 8:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): She just comes, often, but is not (yet!) Catholic. She never approaches Communion. She shared some of her story with me. She is really sweet. I urged the Pastor to try to let her know how welcoming God is, no matter her past.
Jun 20, 8:26 PM
Dawn (Guest): Just tell her none of us is worthly , she will fit right in!
0, 8:27 PM
Dawn (Guest): I will keep her in prayers, but seems she has many. There is something, or someone, keeping her away.
Jun 20, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: Jesus came for those with a past specifically, no?
28 PM
Ruth (Guest): I did, maybe not exactly in those words, but she understands some of the teachings about Holy Communion, and has great respect for the Sacrament, but realizes she needs to be received into the Church first. 8:28 PM
Ruth (Guest): I did, maybe not exactly in those words, but she understands some of the teachings about Holy Communion, and has great respect for the Sacrament, but realizes she needs to be received into the Church first.
Jun 20, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: That is humility there too
20, 8:28 PM
Ruth (Guest): Lots of humility! :29 PM
Dawn (Guest): I listen to a catholic talk show. this man called in, had cancer, was alone, a Baptist. He was so endearing to all the listeners…..and many prayers. well a year later, he has entered the church, is well. a wonderful witness to others
a question to end if we are too demanding of ourselves, might that come from a form of pride? How d
Jun 20, 8:08 AM
VisitationSiste: How do we get our minds off of ourselves, as St. Francis suggests?