Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

It’s Monday and I’m still feeling the bounce of Saturday, the first day of Spring. I washed winter clothes and packed away sweatshirts for next year. I swept off my little balcony and put out two white plastic chairs. I changed beds from quilts to light covers, and thinned out accumulated papery stuff--outdated notes and expired “coming attractions.” Of course I did those chores in small bits. Most of the time I was outside in the “mostly sunny” day. I sat in my “deck chair” to finish best-seller The Help. I chatted with people at the Racine Arts Fair and walked the marina boardwalk; the expanse of Lake Michigan lay a deep blue before me. Back home, the evening trees stood silhouetted against an astonishingly bright yellow sunset. I gave thanks for Spring and the new life in my being. Sr. Miriam Brown, OP

As summer approaches, I am sad that I will not be going home to the Mound/Villa (our motherhouse/nursing home) until the end of summer. Most people wonder why I would want to be with the old Sisters since I am a young sister. If only they knew of the hidden jewels at the convent. I value my time with my young 70/80/90 year old Dominican sisters and can’t forget the 100’s (especially our 108 year old). My sisters may be old in age but their love of God shines brightly. These faithful women at the Mound are my roots, the rock of my religious life. Many people know my Sisters from their past ministries. I never knew my Dominican Sisters in those younger years. I came to know them in their prime years. What a glorious blessing to meet them at this time. These Sisters in their last years of life minister to each other. They minister to me by sharing their joy and life experience, their daily witness of love of God and prayer. These women inspire me, give me energy and hope for my religious...