Why is it good to find joy in the success (especially spiritually speaking) of others?Why are holy relationships important, even for celibate individuals?St. Francis recalls a serene moment watching pigeons feed while smaller birds waited their turn. Why is it so important to pause our busy lives and drink in such moments of simplicity (which might otherwise be seen as insignificant and ignorable by others)?Share a time you were struck by something in nature.How can we make the most out of what time we have
left in this holy season of Lent?
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Mar 23, 7:08 AM
SrSusan (Guest): https://visitationspirit.org/2024/03/newsletter-for-chat-sun-mar-24/
Newsletter for Chat Sun Mar 24 | Visitation Spirit
Mar 24, 4:26 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Paula!
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Mar 24, 4:26 PM
Paula (Guest): Hi Simone!
Mar 24, 4:27 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Sister Susan!
Mar 24, 4:27 PM
Paula (Guest): Nice spring day here but chilly
Mar 24, 4:27 PM
Paula (Guest): Hi Mother!
Mar 24, 4:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Hi Simone and Paula! Blessed Palm Sunday!
Mar 24, 4:27 PM
Simone (Guest): same here Paula ( in South East Ontario)
ar 24, 4:32 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Why is it good to find joy in the success (especially spiritually speaking) of others?
Mar 24, 4:32 PM
Susan (Guest): what does SMMI stand for
Mar 24, 4:32 PM
SrSusan (Guest): That gang violence is so frightening
Mar 24, 4:32 PM
Susan (Guest): Maryknoll Missionaries/
Mar 24, 4:33 PM
Susan (Guest): ?
Mar 24, 4:33 PM
SrSusan (Guest): is it Salesian missionaries of Mary immaculate?
Mar 24, 4:33 PM
Simone (Guest): as for the question .. this came to my mind.. the last line of the Litany of Humility
Mar 24, 4:33 PM
Simone (Guest): THAT OTHERS MAY BECOME HOLIER THAN I, PROVIDED THAT I MAY BECOME AS HOLY AS I SHOULD… Jesus grant me the grace to desire it
Mar 24, 4:33 PM
Simone (Guest): sorry for the capitals..
ar 24, 4:34 PM
Paula (Guest): Because others holiness reflects the goodness and the working of God
Mar 24, 4:34 PM
Susan (Guest): That’s very nice. Yes it is important to celebrate the success of others….why because it takes the focus off of “the self”…because it urges us to observe “the other” and to find Christ in the other
Mar 24, 4:34 PM
SrSusan (Guest): “others” are our “other selves” we often say in the monastery so it is all who benefit
Mar 24, 4:34 PM
Simone (Guest): wow.. so many great answers..
Mar 24, 4:35 PM
Olga (Guest): good evening everyone. Sorry I am late
Mar 24, 4:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Welcome Olga!
Mar 24, 4:35 PM
Susan (Guest): others
ur other selves…that’s nice!
Mar 24, 4:35 PM
Olga (Guest): Thank you
Mar 24, 4:35 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Olga
Mar 24, 4:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I will repeat the q: Why is it good to find joy in the success (especially spiritually speaking) of others?
ar 24, 4:36 PM
Susan (Guest): because it reinforces their spiritual growth and also our own
Mar 24, 4:36 PM
Paula (Guest): God is being glorified through them
ar 24, 4:37 PM
Simone (Guest): I must confess —- I did not find any joy in the spiritual success of others, when I was in the dark dark night of the senses. UFF.. I hardly could speak it hurt so much .. that GOD would grace them with so many consolations and I felt like being dropped in the desert alone
Mar 24, 4:37 PM
Simone (Guest): It was like watching your best friend marrying the love of your life
Mar 24, 4:38 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Painful
Mar 24, 4:38 PM
Simone (Guest): I think, I am dealing with this better now.. at least a bit..
24, 4:39 PMSrSusan (Guest): q 2 Why are holy relationships important, even for celibate individuals?
Mar 24, 4:40 PM
Susan (Guest): I wonder why you phrased the question that way. What does celebacy have to do with holy relationships?
Mar 24, 4:40 PM
Susan (Guest): In a sense one can have a “holy” relationship with a pet, with the trees, the grass, the birds, the ocean….in my humble opinion.
Mar 24, 4:41 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I did not write that but I will check with the one who did
Mar 24, 4:41 PM
Paula (Guest): even celibate individuals need to have conversations to help each other
Mar 24, 4:41 PM
Susan (Guest): OK thanks….it leads the reader (me) to think someone (the writer) thinks only uncelebate people can have holy relationships. Sorry to belabor the point. (smiles)
Mar 24, 4:42 PM
Paula (Guest): people can’t just sit and contemplate by themselve and expect to make spiritual progress
Mar 24, 4:42 PMSusan (Guest): really? Wow, I’d say the monks, hermits might disagree with you. But, I understand your point.
ar 24, 4:43 PM
Ruth (Guest): Simone, the difference is that the bridegroom of your best friend can have only one wife. God’s love is not restricted to one person. It takes nothing away from his love for you, for your best friend to Love him and be loved by him, too.
Mar 24, 4:43 PM
Simone (Guest): God graced me with a beautiful holy relationship with a priest here in our diocese. We meet now weekly on the phone – and just speak to each other God’s goodness and how we can see God work in our lives. There is absolutely NOTHING impure at this relationship – but it is life giving to both of us.. and we acknowledge it. Because it is so obviously GOd inspired – we never had the urge to even define it.
Mar 24, 4:43 PM
Paula (Guest): even Jesus had friends and was sad to leave them
Mar 24, 4:43 PM
Ruth (Guest): But I guess you know that now.
Mar 24, 4:43 PM
SrSusan (Guest): St Francis de Sales wrote alot for the laity and he was of the firm opinion that lay people need holy friendships because they do not always live in an externally holy environment
ar 24, 4:44 PM
Simone (Guest): Such a good point Ruth… I just missed the voice of the lover of my soul so much in the dryness of prayer time – and everything in me wanted to hear HIS voice again – and people around me – were blessed with HIS voice.. it just hurt
Mar 24, 4:44 PM
Susan (Guest): Can you talk more about this…St.Francis’ opinion
ar 24, 4:45 PM
SrSusan (Guest): He basically said friendships spiritual ones, are essential for lay people
Mar 24, 4:45 PM
Susan (Guest): thank you
Mar 24, 4:45 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It is in the Introduction to the Devout Life
Mar 24, 4:45 PM
Susan (Guest): Very good
Mar 24, 4:45 PM
Simone (Guest): I totally agree.. that is one big part why I became Salesian
Mar 24, 4:45 PM
Susan (Guest): Simone are you a salesian sister, or lay person?
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
Simone (Guest): I think, that we as Catholics are not often well instructed and encouraged how to live holy friendships well
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
Simone (Guest): oh, I am only a lay person Susan.. but a consecrated Daughter of St. Francis de Sales
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
SrSusan (Guest): https://brokenness70.blogspot.com/2022/05/introduction-to-devout-life-part-ii_01719312493.html
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
Susan (Guest): should we define what “holy friendships mean
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
Simone (Guest): good point Susan
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
Susan (Guest): Thank you Sr. Susan
Mar 24, 4:46 PM
SrSusan (Guest): then there are more chapters on good friendship
Mar 24, 4:47 PMSusan (Guest): ok I will read that
Mar 24, 4:47 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you greetings to all of you. My phone has been ringing, even though I left messages that I would be in chat from 7:30 to 8:40 or so, and the said it directly. Sorry I’m late. I’ve turned off the ringer now.
Mar 24, 4:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): https://www.catholicity.com/devoutlife/3-19.html
Introduction to the Devout Life: Part III, Chapter 19
Mar 24, 4:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): real friendship
Mar 24, 4:47 PM
Susan (Guest): Thank you Sr. Susan
Mar 24, 4:48 PM
Simone (Guest): For me a “holy friendship” is – that the “glue” of our friendship is GOD – and that the work of GOD in each other’s life is the middle ground
Mar 24, 4:48 PM
Susan (Guest): just googled and got: holy friendships are mutual and sacred relationships deeply rooted in God’s love.
Mar 24, 4:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): beautiful
Mar 24, 4:49 PMSimone (Guest): I was invited into a Catholic women’s group – a big organization – and they claim to live “holy or spiritual friendships”.. It is the disappointment of the year for me. All they do is – pray 1 minute before their meetings – and then talk about fundraising. and food.. all the time.. that is not a holy friendship for me
Mar 24, 4:49 PM
Susan (Guest): encouragement of each other’s spiritual growth
Mar 24, 4:49 PM
Simone (Guest): yes, the mutual encouragement is a big part
Mar 24, 4:50 PM
Simone (Guest): by the way.. just to clarify.. the Catholic organization I was talking about – was NOT the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales.. Just wanted to make sure there is no misunderstanding
Mar 24, 4:50 PM
Susan (Guest): I’m a “mercy associate” and that is what that group does for each other….it’s the “concept” and they do a nice job of trying to put it into practice
Mar 24, 4:51 PM
SrSusan (Guest): If it is centered in Jesus, He will show up in some way- either a great peace overflows, or insights, something happens within
Mar 24, 4:51 PM
Simone (Guest): mercy associate.. this sounds lovely.. is that an organization itself.or in what is this embedded Susan?
Mar 24, 4:51 PM
Susan (Guest): I don’t know what “embedded” means….Mercy Associates are affiliated with teh Mercy Sisters
Mar 24, 4:51 PM
Ruth (Guest): BTW today with Associates of the SSJ we discussed a maxim of Fr. Biddy (Sp?) that said the same as this point of St. F. dS. — about rejoicing in the success of OTHERS.
Mar 24, 4:52 PMSusan (Guest): Very nice!
Mar 24, 4:52 PMSimone (Guest): Thanks Susan.. that is helpful
ar 24, 4:53 PMSrSusan (Guest): q St. Francis recalls a serene moment watching pigeons feed while smaller birds waited their turn. Why is it so important to pause our busy lives and drink in such moments of simplicity (which might otherwise be seen as insignificant and ignorable by others)
Mar 24, 4:53 PM
Susan (Guest): Because God is present in the big and little things in life….(simple answer)
Mar 24, 4:53 PM
Simone (Guest): simple is best Susan
ar 24, 4:54 PM
Paula (Guest): and He teaches us lessons even thru them
Mar 24, 4:54 PM
Simone (Guest): spiritual laws can be often best understood through nature
Mar 24, 4:54 PMSimone (Guest): that said.. the birds fighting daily around my bird feeder are not Catholic I think
ar 24, 4:56 PM
Simone (Guest): sometimes, it is touching though.. how the simple soul of animals have justice engrained in them. One might wonder – where we lose that “natural love for others” so easily nowadays
Mar 24, 4:56 PM
Paula (Guest): or perhaps they have too much
Mar 24, 4:56 PM
Simone (Guest): that is an interesting thought Paula.
Mar 24, 4:56 PM
Susan (Guest): I listened to this author on NPR (researcher at the Univ of Vermont) she is a lay person and she is basically saying the same thing:
Birding to Change the World: A Memoir Hardcover – February 27, 2024
by Trish O’Kane (Author)
Mar 24, 4:57 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I remember a time I was very busy and it happened to be the day for confession and the priest gave me a penance to “go and smell a flower” in other words he saw I was too engaged in things to notice God’s beauty in nature
ar 24, 4:57 PMSusan (Guest): One time a priest during confession when I was a little girl told me to do something kind for my sisters…..the little things matter
Mar 24, 4:58 PMSusan (Guest): I think that priest was perceptive Sr. Susan
Mar 24, 4:59 PM
Susan (Guest): Jesus was very comfortable in many settings but it is the simple settings…with animals or young children where you/we can witness his great love
Mar 24, 4:59 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes
Mar 24, 4:59 PM
Olga (Guest): maybe to think how God is great by creating this birds , big and small , simple things and we can watch hem for the long time and still think of God how grade he is
Mar 24, 5:00 PM
Paula (Guest): a double rainbow
Mar 24, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): I never really related to nature. I did not grow up with nature around me – in a city – where every playground is just asphalt. I was always afraid of nature. BUT … when GOD started to heal me – deep inside – and widened my heart for him and others.. I started to see nature very differently. I felt so blessed all of sudden. Smiling as I was walking down the street looking at the trees as they were about to blossom. What a gift I have been given
Mar 24, 5:01 PM
Susan (Guest): Today I took a long walk on a peninsual on an island i live on in VT. We had a new snowfall and it was glorious to see: the waves lapping the shoreline, the pieces of ice floating on the surface of the water, the spring birds chirping happily, the patterns in the snow left by the wind and animal prints
Mar 24, 5:01 PM
Ruth (Guest): As a child and adolescent I would spend hours squatting watching ANTS. Lifting a slate I could see their tunnels and trails. Did you know that they move their pupae about regularly, I think so that they can be exposed to the warmth of the sun. An ant carrying a pupa invariably has the right of way! Others will go around the the one carrying the little one”
Mar 24, 5:02 PM
Susan (Guest): that’s great Ruth!
Mar 24, 5:02 PM
Paula (Guest): i see nature and i get excited …and wonder what heaven is like
Mar 24, 5:02 PM
Susan (Guest): Good question
Mar 24, 5:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): my sister said this the other day
Mar 24, 5:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Sometimes I feel sad about this, the lack of nature in the cities. Certainly, in more modern times, the urban areas have tried to regain some of this in public areas, and I know our teachers attempted a bit, what with leaf collection assignments in fall and such. Back then, they hadn’t added street trees to our neighborhood yet, and dad packed us up to take us to a park to collect leaves if we got such a school assignment. We were lucky to have some wonderful mature trees shading the concrete of our schooly
Mar 24, 5:03 PM
Simone (Guest): I want to share one of my fondest memories of my Dad. He has visited me here in Canada – and we were running errands. We were late .. and I had to get home for my daughter and to make supper. As I was leaving the parking space of the super market – all of a sudden my Dad said ” STOP”. and I jumped on the break. he pointed at three little sparrows sitting around a puddle and drinking. I never forgot that – and it is one of my fondest memories of my Dad – as he looked at them and enjoyed this scenery.
Mar 24, 5:03 PM
SrSusan (Guest): schoolyard, poking up from holes in the concrete, but they were all maples, so one could only get the one leaf type at school. The line between grass and weeds was unclear, and when I came to PA, I found that hay in the field further confused the whole issue of what’s what. And there are different kinds of hay crops, too. And then there is this whole issue of “going to seed”. So much to know and nowhere to learn it. But now the internet has fixed most of that, with its pictures and definitions, such a grea
Mar 24, 5:04 PMSusan (Guest): grass poking through concrete….quite the methaphor!
ar 24, 5:04 PM
SrSusan (Guest): she also said But sometimes, even after 45 years a Pennsylvanian, when I look at a tall green grasslike plant, I revert and think as I was taught to think when I was a kid. Tall=weed and short=grass. I can hear my dad saying “Stay out of the weeds”. There could be creatures lurking, or hidden poison ivy, or any number of unknown hazards. Bad plants and biting bugs and snakes were the main ones we pictured, but there could be more, we presumed, who knew?
Mar 24, 5:04 PM
Simone (Guest): I want to go for a walk with you too Susan.. sounds just lovely
Mar 24, 5:05 PM
SrSusan (Guest): and she finishes this way
Mar 24, 5:05 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Once in a while, a native New Yorker with little exposure to nature will visit, and I get to see the raw fear and also the wonder with which they view the environment. They wonder about who planted ditchside native flowering plants, approach streams and ponds with trepidation, and seem to have a really bad image of insects. They love birds, though, in all their varieties, and hate bats, and the dark spooks them to excess. I love these reminders of who I was, because once in a while a remnant of this being o
Mar 24, 5:05 PM
SrSusan (Guest): of the past emerges in me, even after all these years. Yes, a city slicker gone country still retains a few city slicker attitudes somewhere in the core of his being. It takes a lot of work to dig them out and work to change them. A lifetime, even.
Mar 24, 5:06 PM
Susan (Guest): Sr Susan are you talking about the environment in Brooklyn where the Vistiation convent is as country?
Mar 24, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): no not here- Greenpoint Brooklyn little nature there
Mar 24, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I was quoting my sibling
Mar 24, 5:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): who moved to Pa.
Mar 24, 5:07 PM
Susan (Guest): Ok thank you, I understand
Mar 24, 5:07 PM
Paula (Guest): even your backyard is nice even in NY
Mar 24, 5:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes we are blessed!
Mar 24, 5:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): last q .How can we make the most out of what time we have
left in this holy season of Lent?
Mar 24, 5:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): last q .How can we make the most out of what time we have
left in this holy season of Lent?
Mar 24, 5:08 PM
Paula (Guest): contemplate the cross
Mar 24, 5:08 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Paula
ar 24, 5:09 PMSusan (Guest): reflect in our souls of the times we have persecuted others (as in this coming holy week)….reflect on the ways we (the world) are persecuting others (Gaza, Israel, Haiti, Ukraine….
Mar 24, 5:10 PM
Simone (Guest): just reading this Susan.. creates such a sadness in me.. but a good sadness take makes me run to the cross
Mar 24, 5:10 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I like to read a day by day account of Jesus’ last days and really try to be with Him
Mar 24, 5:10 PM
Simone (Guest): do you have a special book for this Sr. Susan?
Mar 24, 5:10 PM
Susan (Guest): Yes that is a meaningful activity
ar 24, 5:11 PM
Susan (Guest): I like to do the stations of the cross
Mar 24, 5:11 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes Fr Goodier’s book on the Passion
Mar 24, 5:11 PM
Simone (Guest): as for me the Litany of Humility has really given me probably the best Lent I ever had since I became Catholic. I feel so ready to be with the cross.
Mar 24, 5:11 PM
Susan (Guest): thank you
Mar 24, 5:11 PM
Paula (Guest): there is so much to be gained by contemplating wounded Jesus on a crucifix…
Mar 24, 5:11 PM
Susan (Guest): Yes
ar 24, 5:12 PMSusan (Guest): “how could they”, “how could we”…..it continues
Mar 24, 5:13 PM
Simone (Guest): Just bought the book Sr. Susan on Kindle.. looks like a great guide for Holy Week
Mar 24, 5:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Wow! That was quick!
Mar 24, 5:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): it is an e book?
Mar 24, 5:13 PM
Simone (Guest): not fooling around.. when it comes to good book suggestions
Mar 24, 5:15 PM
Simone (Guest): I understood it as a task that is very hard for Ruth – where she really sacrifices comfort.. and leans into pain and being uncomfortable.
Mar 24, 5:16 PM
SrSusan (Guest): oh ok
r 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): well… I would like to ask for prayer maybe
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Sure
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): I am just in the beginning for starting a new ministry
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): it is called
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): THE VISITATION
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): no surprise I guess
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Susan (Guest): can you explain more?
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): It is about teaching Salesian Spirituality in Canada
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Oh that sounds wonderful- what is the ministry
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): online
Mar 24, 5:20 PM
Ruth (Guest): You are too generous Simone. To me anything that gets me outdoors — even composting stinky plant remains — helps me to be close to nature and praise God.
ar 24, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): but also – creating communities
Mar 24, 5:21 PM
Susan (Guest): I agree Ruth
Mar 24, 5:21 PM
Simone (Guest): where spiritual friendships can be lived
Mar 24, 5:21 PM
Simone (Guest): It will be an ongoing invitation to live a holy life – for Catholic women
Mar 24, 5:21 PM
SrSusan (Guest): We will pray so much for this!
ar 24, 5:21 PMSimone (Guest): I just need so much wisdom
Mar 24, 5:21 PM
Simone (Guest): oh thank you Sr. Susan. It really does mean a lot to me to know I am not completely alone in this
Mar 24, 5:22 PM
Simone (Guest): the full name is
ar 24, 5:22 PM
Simone (Guest): THE VISITATION…. a place for sacred learning and becoming
Mar 24, 5:22 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Oh you will not believe this- but becoming is partof our federations Legacy styatement!
ar 24, 5:23 PM
Simone (Guest): becoming – is so central to a life of holiness
Mar 24, 5:23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes I will send it to you by e mail!
Mar 24, 5:23 PM
Simone (Guest): thank you
ar 24, 5:23 PM
Ruth (Guest): You are not alone, Simone. Prayerful best wishes!
Mar 24, 5:23 PM
Simone (Guest): I also think that Mary and Elizabeth were “becoming” in their encounter at the Visitation
r 24, 5:24 PMSimone (Guest): Thank you all too. And have a beautiful Holy Week everyone. May we weep as we understand deeper the deep deep love of our Lord on the cross
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