Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Have you ever had computer problems ?   It always happens to me when I already feel   over extended. Everything seemed to be going all right and then all of a sudden I got left behind.   I do understand that the computer world changes overnight, and I just want to continue doing what I’ve always done.   That’s no longer possible!   “Vanity of vanities” it says in the reading from Ecclesiastes today.    My wishing it would be otherwise will not slow the world down! That’s when I need to breathe .   Stop what I had been doing, and take time out to just breathe.   And to remember…that it doesn’t all depend on me. What do you have a hard time letting go of?   Ruth Poochigian, O.P. Madison WI

Last month the parish where I minister had a celebration in honor of my juiblee.  It was a joyous event and I was flooded with cards and well-wishes.  I didn't want to miss thanking everyone who came so I wrote a note to be printed in our Sunday bulletin.  One woman who had given me a substantial gift told me that this note was enough—I didn't have to write anything more. However, I did not feel comfortable with this.  I knew all the people who had given me a gift; I wanted to give them something more personal, some words that would express not only gratitude for the gift but also gratitude for the connection I had with them.  This was a time-consuming project and took a month to complete.  However, already two of those who received notes have told me how much they meant to them:  "This note is a keeper."  "I'm going to keep this note next to my chair and when I start feeling down I'll read it again." Wow!  A few minutes of my time--it w...