Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Who among us could not be anything but inspired and amazed by the story of the rescue of the miners in Chile? The courage, determination and community effort by those below was matched by the world joining together above ground to rescue them. We had a chance to wait with the miners through the News in the Paper, the T.V., or the Internet….almost every kind of media imaginable. And, we had a chance to watch side by side with the whole world as the rescue took place. Tuning into the current fate of the miners in these past months has made me realize what is really important and how connected we are to all of our brothers and sisters around the world. This experience in Chile, which we all took part in, tells us how small our world really is and how strong and loving our human spirit can be. We sang this song in church today: I need you, you need me We’re all part of God’s body You are important to me I need you to survive. I pray for you, you pray for me. I want to find ways to keep th...

Mornings are my quiet time alone. I arise and go to the kitchen to plug in the coffee. I walk around our center and feel new energy in the new day. I frequently sit outside and say my morning prayers from Dominican Praise. I love praying the psalms and the inclusive prayers in our Dominican Morning Prayer book. It unities me with others whom I know also offer morning praise and petition to our God. Sometimes I just sit and absorb the morning sun and am present to the day. This also is my morning praise. The sun enriches my bones and my spirit. The silence of the morning enriches my being and nourishes me for the busyness of the day. The coffee is ready and I enjoy a warm cup before breakfast. My morning prayer energizes me and orients me for mission. Here in Mexico I have met Isidro, Maria Isabella and their son Felix. They are part of the work I love here. Contemplative prayer and a life of activity go hand in hand for me. This family comes to talk about life in their indigenous vill...