Posted by Anne Ward on September 15, 1999 at 05:06:51:
In Reply to: Giving & Recieving Input posted by johnboy on September 01, 1999 at 17:53:43:
Guidelines I Have Used to Evaluate Input---whether giving or receiving it
1) if not urgent, don't rush to closure but continue to pray and love, leaving it
alone after initial discussions
2) Does the input meet the Dolan-deMello Test which suggests:
a) leave other people alone* (see footnote)
b) be compassionate; and
c) bend the rules.
3) Love and Pray
johnboy...thanks so much for the above guidelines. Lordy, do *I* need them. I can get so carried away and forget that *my* passionist stance on this or that issue may be at total variance with anothers...but I just TROD on!
I used to be more patient with those who were not in agreement with *my* views...yes, honest, I was! But it seems as if venting is a necessity for me. But must bring all to closure and follow the guidelines you have spelled out so beautifully.
The most important of those guidelines is to be compassionate, love and pray. Sometimes we 'newbie' Catholics get carried away and think everyone is in the 'wrong' field. For awhile I was passionately liberal, then passionately traditionalist, and now...who knows! am struggling to find my 'Catholic' identity. More importantly is to put off this seeking for a Catholic identity and seek a praying and loving identity.
again, bless you, johnboy....and hey, shift keys just take up extra time and energy! ;0
learning to rewrite the email that I write....I am still wishing you,
blessings, and grace,
anne