Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

This is the time of year when commencement addresses go viral.  We see pictures of the First Lady, Mrs. Obama, read tweets about Tina Fey, and view videos of Gwen Ifill, as well as other celebrities addressing the classes of 2014.  Using humor, experience, and good old practical advice these speakers offer clues into a successful life for graduates.  I heard an address to the Senior Class of 2014 at Dominican High School this past week.  These students were told to go make the world Dominican !!!  The speaker challenged the students to dare to dream the future, dare to live without fear, dare to change lives. Using examples such as Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who challenged the Taliban, Jack Andraka, who took what inspired him in freshman biology to develop a diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer, and Blake Mycoskie, the young owner of TOMS shoes who uses his success to give away shoes all over the world. ...

One of the pillars of Dominican life is Community.   Whether Sisters are living together or gathering for congregation work or play, Community is fundamental to living religious life.   So is Dialogue. The experience of Sisters gathering whether face to face or through technology has always energized and renewed me.   This does not mean that in the processes and exchanges Sisters are always in agreement.   Rather, we are much like a multifaceted gem that only is complete because each is heard and cherished even in the midst of our dialogue that may include disagreements. When I entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans more than 30 years ago, I expected to be in the good company of faithful, intelligent women.   I have not been disappointed. What has brought surprising delight and, at times frustration, is the extent of insights that come through profound and deep sharing and living the vowed life. What experiences have you had in your life th...