Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Our life as vowed women offers many opportunities to examine who we are and explore ways to live our mission - our purpose or calling. As a member of a planning committee of newer Dominicans representing 8 different congregations, I had such an opportunity two weekends ago in our first face-to-face meeting. Since last summer, 10 of us have been working on a gathering for newer Dominican women religious to come together to share our hopes and dreams for the future of religious life and share our ideas on how we might respond to the needs of our times. A few questions posed in our recent planning meeting included: “What is our 800 year Dominican history calling forth within us?” “How is our presence in the world reflected in the world?” “What steps are we called to take today?” We are hoping for over 100 Dominican sisters to attend the late-August event. It is very exciting to think of newer members from many different congregations representing different ministries, cultures, e...

I’ve been feeling particularly uninspired lately. It’s not that life has been overly difficult, nor has it been lacking; it’s just been… well, normal.   But I could use some inspiration in a few areas of my life: I’d like to be more creative at work, I’m preparing for some transitions… not to mention I had a blog post to write. So about two weeks ago, I began actively looking for inspiration.   I’m not sure I found it, but I did begin to notice things.   Things I otherwise would have missed, like the flowers blooming at the side of our house.   A sunset.   A stranger’s hearty laugh in the grocery store. My actions and attitudes changed, too, however slightly.   I went for an extra evening walk.   I spent a few quiet minutes with a friend before rushing off to my next task.   I reflected on my day and named a few things I was grateful for before falling asleep at night. I realized that maybe, in its own way, my lack of inspiration ...