Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

As I am preparing this blog entry, I am also getting ready for the monthly Day of Reflection at the Retreat Center where I minister.  My theme is:  Advent’s Gifts of Waiting . The idea for my theme came from a book by Holly Whitcomb:  Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting in which she suggests these ‘gifts:’  Patience, Loss of Control, Living in the Present, Compassion, Gratitude, Humility and Trust in God. Take a slow look at those seven gifts of waiting.   Is there one that jumps out for you that could be your Advent prayer with God – to learn more about – to put into practice – to share with others? And – these are just seven.  Are there others that you would add for yourself – ‘gifts’ you need to grow in your spiritual journey?  These others just may be more important for you right now. While you are pondering these possible Advent Gifts – you might find  this video  ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02KOlw7dlA&fe...

In the midst of this Advent season, many of the people I encounter have very little to look forward to, though they are definitely in a waiting mode.   Sometimes I’ve written about those who are incarcerated.  This month I’m thinking about adults who have a loved one in prison or jail.  They are serving time as well, along with the many children they are caring for while mom or dad is incarcerated. Those of us involved in prison ministry have been trying to reach out to them lately. And what we’ve learned is that there is such a stigma attached to having a family member incarcerated that adults don’t want to admit it to others.  That includes in their place of work (where they spend so much time) and even their church communities – where one could expect the disciples of Jesus to surround them with love and concern and prayer.  That last part is my own thought, though the rest of it is what I’ve learned from these adults. Statist...