Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Every day during this wonderful Easter week I have been reflecting on the gospel readings of Jesus’ Risen appearances to his followers.   What inexpressible joy they must have felt to know that He had conquered death and brought new life!   My favorite story is Luke’s telling of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).   These two begin their journey from Jerusalem in sorrow and end it recognizing Jesus in the “Breaking of the Bread.”   When Jesus vanishes from their sight they say, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke to us on the way?” Does the Word of God make our hearts “burn within us?”   During Lent Sister Geri and I traveled the Diocese of Owensboro offering Lenten retreats for the people of rural parishes.   So many people are hungry for the “Good News.”   Whether what is needed is a word of comfort, a word of challenge or a word of inspiration, God’s Word offers us what we need on our journey through our Chris...

It was refreshing to read Kaye’s invitation to reflect on the question Parker Palmer raised in his book Let Your Life Speak:  “Is the life I’m living the same as the life that wants to live in me?”  Coming as it did on May 1 st those words provided a welcome antidote to the outburst of “patriotism” in this country which also began on that day. Kathy Kelly, a co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, quoted Matt Daloisio in an article published on the Common Dreams website ( http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/05/03-6 ).  Matt co-coordinates the Witness Against Torture Campaign.  Both of them gave voice to a different view of global politics. "Ten years," Matt wrote. "Over 6000 US Soldiers killed. Trillions of Dollars wasted. Hundreds of thousands of civilians killed. Tens of thousands imprisoned. Torture as part of foreign policy. And we are supposed to celebrate the murder of one person? I am not excited. I am not happy. I remain profoundly sad."...

This year I have been involved in a program at Dominican University called “Spiritual Companions.”  It brings together 4 or 5 students with two facilitators (staff, faculty, or others connected with the University) to reflect together on our lives, beliefs, and values. It’s a gift to share all of this in a confidential circle where each speaks, listens, and encourages others.  We come to know better and to accept our true selves (strengths and frailties, beauty and warts)  and to enter more authentically into communion with others and with God.  Parker Palmer in his book  Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation  poses the question “Is the life I’m living the same as the life that wants to live in me?”   This is a question that’s relevant  in all of our lives.   Exploring it with others deepens our insight into what our lives want to tell us about the truths we embody and the values we represent.  So, I invite you ...