Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I have always loved the scripture text of 1 Samuel 3, where the Lord calls Samuel. The reason why I love this is because I can totally relate to Samuel who had to be called three times before he recognizes it was the Lord who was calling him. He was able to recognize the Lord’s voice through the help of the priest Eli. For quite a few years in my life I too was not able to recognize the Lord’s voice. Mainly because I was too busy to listen and I was living my life the way I wanted. Or so I thought. I did not have time for God, whom I felt would want to spoil my fun! However, there came a point in my life where I could not ignore the voice of God any longer. I had to decide if I wanted to listen to the Lord’s voice or not. As children of God I truly believe that when God calls we know, because there is a deep conviction within us. Like Samuel who had Eli to help him discern. I had my parish priest and other trusted persons to help me discern. Responding to God’s call is the best decisi...

As I sit down to write this little piece for Catherine’s Cafe, cup of tea and croissant in hand, the phrase “comfort food” keeps popping into my head. After several exchanges this morning with volunteers, parents, clients, donors and tutors, I am beginning to think that one of the major calls to vowed religious life involves “comfort food.” No, not eating it, though for sure, that is a regular joy. It feels like that is what Sisters are called to be. Somehow we are called to allow others to slowly savor, drink in, the presence we can offer. We are called to listen to the undocumented woman whose car was just impounded leaving her without a way to pick up her children from school. We are positioned to listen to the elderly volunteer who just underwent the amputation of her second leg leaving her afraid and angry. We are placed across from the parent who has no money to purchase the inhalers needed for her son. We hope that those who come into contact, into relationship, with us might fe...

Today I am off to a wedding .. a young Deaf couple, Lori and Christopher. Lori is from an all Deaf family, her mother is a catechist and lay minster in the Deaf community. Christopher came into the church through the RCIA several years ago. What a joy to celebrate with them! For many years I coordinated pastoral ministry with the Deaf community here in Trinidad and Tobago. One of my greatest delights was sitting in a group with Deaf people as together we reflected on the Scripture readings for the Sunday liturgy. Now Bryan, Lori’s brother, leads these sessions. It is so energizing to see people receive God’s Word and become bearers of that word. In 2003 I met the Sinsinawa Dominicans. I came to see my delight in sharing God’s Word mirrored back to me in the lives of the sisters. I found my home here. Sr. Christina Araujo, OP