Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

We say that the one constant in life is change.  We may not be sure of many things, but one thing that we can be absolutely sure of is change.  In religious life we like to call this transition.  I think it has a nicer ring to it.  However, it is the same thing- change.  I remember when I first entered religious life I dreaded the idea of change, yet it is part of religious life and also part of being Dominican.  It is with this itinerant spirit that Dominic founded the order and was himself itinerant. Over the years I still don’t like change much.  I like to be in control and for change to happen one has to let go of control, of the known and the unknowns.   I am still learning not to dread it as much.  In my eleven years with the Dominicans of Sinsinawa I have probably moved about six times already, and I am sure there is more to come.  One of the many things that have drawn me to this courageous group of wom...

This past week marked a significant anniversary for me and those who entered with me. On September 7, 1966 I journeyed by train from Minneapolis to Sinsinawa, WI. My life opened to new possibilities and many blessings. The years have flown by! These past 3 weeks my ministry has been with my 97 year old father. He recently was in the hospital and then a rehab center. Now he is at St. Therese Senior Living Community in the “Towers” in his own apartment for the past 20 years. However,” his life is taking a turn as he will now go into assisted living at St. Therese in the “Terraces” right next door. Being a member of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa is truly an on-going blessing. “Leaving home” does not require “leaving family.” I am supported by the Dominican community with love, prayer, and encouragement to be a compassionate presence for my father and my siblings. My heart overflows with gratitude. As I witness Dad I am amazed at his acceptance of the next phase of his long li...