by Sister Susan Marie | Jan 4, 2021 | Discernment Sundays - Chat Room, Salesian Spirituality, St. Francis de Sales, Visitation Outreach
With all the uncertainty and vicissitudes that have come with 2020, how can we lean on the unchanging presence and promises of God our Heavenly Father?2. How can keeping our eyes fixed on eternity help us amidst all the fear mongering that has come with this past...
by Sister Susan Marie | Dec 28, 2020 | Discernment Sundays - Chat Room
1. This was the last letter that Saint Francis wrote before his death. Though known for his intellect, what does this show us about the pastoral nature of Bishop [Saint] Francis de Sales?2. Saint Francis was a champion of the Catholic...
by Sister Susan Marie | Dec 21, 2020 | Discernment Sundays - Chat Room, Salesian Spirituality, St. Francis de Sales
The recipient of this letter, a laywoman, seems to have undergone a conversion of some kind (a “new beginning”). Notice how St. Francis stops short of commanding her to cut out the use of musk and scent – he said he “restrained the...
by Sister Susan Marie | Dec 14, 2020 | Discernment Sundays - Chat Room
How/why does Jesus’ afflictions bring us tranquility?2. What does it mean to love Jesus’ death, his grief, his torment, his being spat upon, vituperated, deprived, his being hungry and thirsty and despised? Is this masochistic? 3. Discuss St. Francis...
by Vis Editor | Dec 7, 2020 | Discernment Sundays - Chat Room, St. Francis de Sales
The word halcyon means calm or peaceful. What can this bird with its mythical ways teach us about being calm and peaceful? In St. Mark’s account of when Jesus calmed the storm, he mentions that Jesus said to the sea, “Peace! Be still” (Mark 4:39)....
by Sister Susan Marie | Nov 30, 2020 | Advent, Discernment Sundays - Chat Room, Salesian Spirituality, St. Francis de Sales, Visitation Outreach
What is the intention of Holy Church for Advent?2. What does it mean that Mary was conceived without sin, and what significance does it have for Advent?3. How can St. John the Baptist help us enter more deeply into the Advent season?4. How can we better use Advent to...