Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

In second grade my class was doing a song routine of “Deep In The Heart of Texas”. I couldn’t wait to get my cow-girl costume replete with gun holster. Later, I was devastated to find that we were moving before my grand debut. Many years later our Atlanta community was laughing and talking around the dinner table. Our Dominican Volunteer told us that she was to prepare something for her DV retreat in Texas that combined the theme of community life and Texas. My missed performance sprung to mind and what crazy fun we had re-enacting the scene. This led to gathering costumes at the local thrift store and practicing the song for a video presentation. Check out the photo and you will see the result minus the gun holster which has since been replaced with a passion for a peaceful world. Community life around the dinner table moves all of us deep into the heart of life, even redeeming sad moments and transforming them into creative ones. Sr. Patty Caraher, OP Atlanta, Georgia

Classes at the Global Village School in Decatur, GA for teenage refugee women from Afghanistan, Iraq, Burma, Somalia, Sudan, Eritria, Kenya, Thailand, Nigeria, and more, where I teach nonviolent communication, concluded this week. I was presented with a hand made card which all 31 of the young women had signed, each with her name and a note in her own language. I couldn't read what was written however I'm fluent in translating gratitude. This specific card was made by a Burmese refugee student. The outside of the card pictured a tree in full bloom and read: "You Thank." I smiled, first knowing that this teenager in her native script writes from right to left and secondly, enjoying "You Thank." I do. It's been a year of learning and growing and thanksgiving. Sr. Liz Sully, OP Atlanta, Georgia