Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Summer is often a time of family reunions and vacations. That’s true for our Dominican community too. We celebrate our Dominican life with great gusto! Each summer we honor our sisters who are celebrating their diamond, golden, and silver anniversaries. We fondly call them “our jubilarians.” There are many trips down memory lane, time for renewing friendships, and celebrating with family and friends.  Laughter and tears express deep joy and gratitude that touch  hearts with renewed commitment to Dominican life. Another  highpoint of summer is coming together in August around the feast of St. Dominic (August 8). These are our “Community Days,” our Sinsinawa family reunion. Ruth Poochigian, OP has written about this year’s gathering in her blog on August 8. The gift of sisterhood is alive in us. We entrust our lives to one another in a heartfelt way that strengthens us for our mission of preaching and teaching the good news. Sisters and Associates...

“So, how’d you sleep?” No one ever asked me that question when I was younger, but it is now something I get asked often. Sleep is an issue for me. I am no longer very good at it, despite the fact that I have a comfortable bed that I love to be in. I’ve tried many solutions to address my problem, I have practiced meditation and relaxation techniques, downloaded apps designed to aid sleep. You would think that listening to music might be helpful, but as a former music teacher, I can’t help analyzing the music. I’ve listened to many an audio book, figuring that the story would transport my mind beyond my own racing thoughts. Know what works best? Prayer, of course! I start with some scolding. “Dear God, if you are as loving and compassionate as I trust that you are, why on earth are you plaguing me with this? I will be better able to serve you tomorrow if I am not so tired.” Sometimes I grab the olivewood rosary in my nightstand drawer, figuring that fingering beads has to...

In retreat ministry, it is an ordinary reality to welcome people whose lives are weary from so many situations.   Who could be forgotten are those who support this ministry in administration,   the kitchen and maintenance. In recent months, some of those working at the Spiritual Center have been struggling as parents with their teenage children.   Each, very different situations, but each causing hearts that hurt. Whether a parent’s child graduates high school with no life plan [as hard as that parent has tried to instill this] or another’s young teen has been caught with drugs, parents’ life ministry never really gets a rest. My July blog was in part about listening – deep listening.   In ministry, this means everyone who surrounds you, not only those who come seeking support and nurturance ‘officially.’ And, as one who ministers, I/we should not think we are out of the loop of needing mutual care.   Fortunately, I minister in a setting where there ...