Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

OMG! Just when I seemed to be settling into a great rhythm of life things have changed once again for me.   Once I may have thought that saying " yes" to God's call to become a sister would settle all the questions of life once and for all-- Whom shall I love? Where can I be me? What will I do to make a difference for justice? What does God want of me? I am learning, however, that there continue to be new calls within the basic call to be a follower of Jesus. As a Dominican woman I have had many experiences through which I have developed skills for ministry and community life.   I love the Church.   God not only gifts the Church with the message and grace of Jesus, but also challenges it through our human frailties. I have had the opportunity to serve a number of parishes and live with sisters in many places.   I appreciate the gifts of the people God has put into my life. But I have also learned l to carefully hold the tensions that arise in any place where t

As I thought about what I might share in this blog post, more questions than particular insights flooded into consciousness.   Imaging myself sitting at the feet of my grandmother or a few wise Sinsinawa Dominicans, I share some of my questions with you. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus, in word and deed? What does it mean to be a young woman of faith in an old Catholic Church? What does it mean to be a minister of the Word in the 800th year of the Dominican Order, a year designated to acknowledge and celebrate Dominican Women and Preaching? What does it mean to value on-going theological study, engaging in “faith seeking understanding?” What does it mean to commit to Catholic social justice teachings in a world of injustices and crimes perpetrated against the created? What does it mean to be a vowed Catholic religious and a compassionate presence and companion with the marginalized? What does it mean to be a member of an inst