Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I have had the unusual opportunity of late of being the ‘proxy parent’ for a young Indian woman who is seeking a ‘life partner’ in her marriage vocation.   Her culture strongly encourages that this in large part be ‘an arranged marriage’. This means that the parents basically decide if this is a good match.   Kulbir’s parents are in India and not able to review the possible grooms.   That is where I have stepped in.   This does not settle easily with me.   I believe it is a couple’s right to choose the relationship.   None the less, not wanting to disrespect her cultural values I have sat with Kulbir as she/we have met a series of Indian men who may/may not become part of this arrangement. This experience has invited me to step back and review the steps I have made in choosing my vocation.   Like Kulbir, I certainly thought extensively about becoming a vowed religious.   And like her, I did take time to look around/interview what mig...

It is time for me to do my budget both at work and personally. A budget is a statement of my values.   None of us, I’m sure, have an unlimited budget! At my work I need to ask how I can best promote the life and mission of the church with the resources at my disposal. In my personal life I also ask how I can best promote the life and mission of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa. To continue to promote our life and mission, I need to have a good safe place to live; I need to care for my body with good food and exercise. My ministry requires that I dress professionally. My prayer life requires that I have good spiritual reading and I make an annual retreat. I also need time for relaxation and fun. That is what my budget looks like! The difference between my salary and my budget is sent to the common fund for the congregation. Along with all sisters who are in ministry, we care for our retired, our women in formation, our administration and other congregation needs...