Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Since 2001, I have visited Jermaine, a young friend of mine (former student) each month in prison. He is now 31 years old. For these nine years of visits, I have left my world to enter Jermaine's world. I have personally come to know one of the most unjust and inhumane and expensive systems in our country. Three years ago I entered the gates of St. Leonard's. Immediately, I could tangibly feel the spirit of freedom, energy, support and love for all who entered the campus. St. Leonard's provides interim housing, education, vocational training, rehab programs and job readiness for the "guests" formerly incarcerated women and men. My primary volunteer ministry there is to work individually with staff. Eighty percent of St. Leonard's staff were formerly incarcerated. Each month when I enter the prison, I feel my spirit diminished. Each time I enter the St. Leonard Campus, I feel my spirit energized. There is a sense of peace and energy and hope. What a haven and ...

Tonight I lead a class on “The Real Presence.” A group of men and women will gather in a small room I have set up for two hours of “theology.” It will be warm, deep, and engaging–real presence. All of my day, I find, has been about God with us. Eight voices were still with me from our conference call last night as I typed up our retreat team’s ideas for “Encountering the Sacred.” A sister came in and offered a treat from her birthday yesterday, knowing my love of chocolate. I spread out and pondered my papers on right relationships with seekers for our Spiritual Guidance Training Program next week. A sister came in to tell me that a sister friend had just received word of her brother’s death and I went to be with her. In late afternoon I welcomed someone for spiritual direction. Could God’s presence be any more real? Sr. Miriam Brown, OP Racine Dominican Retreat Center, Racine, WI