Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Over the last week, I have been asked if I will be spending Thanksgiving with family. I have said yes, though it will not be with biological family.  This Thanksgiving I am scheduled to be with residents (moms/babies).  The residents will be spending Thanksgiving with the Sisters and me.  Both are excited to have dinner together. One of the residents whose family is not the U.S. told me family for her is those with whom she is with and those who care for her.   Matthew 12:46-48 comes to mind, where Jesus witnesses the relationship change of family. Someone tells Jesus his mother and brothers are outside waiting to speak to him.  Jesus tells this person “whoever does the will of my Father are my mother, brothers, sisters.” So this Thanksgiving, as I look around at the different faces at the dinner table these are my family.  As Dominicans, we believe at the heart of ministry is relationship.  This Thanksgiving I am thankful fo...

As we begin this week of Thanksgiving, I am asking myself about the giving part of Thanksgiving.  I remember making hands in kindergarten that were meant to represent our giving. Last Sunday we watched as a poor widow gave out of her sustenance to comply with church obligations.  I believe Jesus was calling our attention to this offering in order to point to unjust ecclesial practices; not to indicate the obvious of an old woman’s holiness.  Today, we hear Saint Paul remind us that the only true sacrifice is the one Jesus makes; a total gift of self. As Dominicans, we must constantly ask ourselves if the giving of our lives is allowing us to be truly transformed.  How are we being changed, stretched, made whole (read holy)?  Does my ministry happen from that inner space of abandonment?  Does my study lead me to a greater understanding of the other?  How is my prayer touching into my deepest longings?  Gratefully, we are not a...