Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

During the Church's season of Lent we are asked to engage our daily lives with a renewed vision.  We are called to pray more intentionally; be generous and self-giving; and fast and abstain on certain days from certain foods. Considering just one of these - Fasting - as more than about food, what new ways might we fast? Several years ago, as the it seemed inevitable that the U.S. was going to invade Iraq, watching the news I went through sleepless nights, worrying for people I knew in Iraq.  Why?  Because I had come to know Dominican Sisters & Priests and the people they served with I visited the country.  My Spiritual Director, listening to my concerns and its impact on my life and ministry, suggested that I "fast" from the news!  This was an awakening for me about this spiritual discipline - a depth the was new and life giving.  As Spiritual Director I have shared this insight about fasting with others expanding this new learning to consider w...

For the past three years, I have had the privilege of living Dominican life and mission here in Trinidad, with six remarkable Sisters and eight Associates who are committed to preaching and teaching the Gospel here in the West Indies.   On Saturday, we hosted a Day of Discernment here at 5 Picadilly Street in St. Joseph. Sr. Christine Walcott invited us through prayer, reflection, sharing and ritual to reflect on VOCATION, weaving the strands of our personal lives as Dominican Sisters with those of St. Joseph, St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, Father Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, our Founder, and the nine women who gathered with us seeking their life choices as they listen and respond to God’s call in their unique journeys. For me, one of the greatest gifts of being a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa is our willingness   to invite people to COME AND SEE how we live and what we do TOGETHER to participate in the building of a holy and just society.   At one point, Christ...