Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

What a winter of snow and cold this has been!   For the three of us Sinsinawa Dominicans living in Kentucky it has been more like living in Chicago or Milwaukee.   Sister Pat Sullivan, who is new to Kentucky, keeps asking us if it is always like this in winter.   No, definitely not! These winter months Sr. Geri Hoye and I have been traveling the Diocese of Owensboro facilitating Listening sessions.   These Listening Sessions will give input to our Bishop and the Planning Committee as they develop a five-year strategic plan for the Diocese.   It is always good to re-evaluate how we are doing as Church in carrying out the mission of Jesus.   How is the Good News being proclaimed in word and action?   How are the poor being cared for?   Is the voice of the Church strong on issues of justice?   Is our worship as parish beautiful and meaningful? We need to remember that our Baptism calls us to love and to help bring God’s reign of justice an...

External culture is the conscious part—what we see, the food we eat, our music, traditions, beliefs and values. It is explicitly learned and can be changed rather easily. This is only a small part; the larger is that which is internal consisting of unconscious beliefs, thought patterns, values and myths that affect everything we do. We have to work at knowing, reaching a deep awareness of who I am really and who is the other. For me I know my family history, the stories of my parents, grandparents, my Dominican charism as a religious. In my ministry I am meeting university professors and students from many Provinces in Canada while I am working in Mexico. They come for 10 days to our center to immerse themselves in practical education, cultural awareness through international service learning. Thus my horizons of awareness of others continue to expand. Being a Dominican of Sinsinawa has allowed me to travel and engage in mission with people from diverse cultures. It is enriching! To...