Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Recently I was asked to share with a group of people on the topic: " Encountering God in the Consecrated Life."   I do, most certainly as I follow the Dominican ideals of prayer, study, community and ministry.   But I have encountered God in the most humbling of ways over the past weeks: In a young woman with Lupus in the RCIA class still questioning God: "Why me?" But at the same time recognizing that her illness has brought her closer to God. In a medical doctor recently diagnosed with MS, coming to terms with her illness and realizing that she is more understanding now toward her patients. In a mother and son who give of their time once a week to tend the garden. In the sister I live with who puts up with my quirks. In a father and his two sons who gave so generously of their time and expertise to build a Marian grotto at Dominican Wellspring.  Even in the kids from a school opposite who call me Granny! They challenge me to forgive seven...

When I think about where I was at this time last year, I'm amazed both by how my life has been transformed...and also by how familiar it feels.  Early last March, I was freshly recovered after a 4-day hospitalization and month long leave of absence from my job after getting hit by a car while riding my bike.  I was beginning the last month of a 7 year career as a disaster recovery consultant and everyone I knew was asking me if I was having second thoughts about "leaving my life behind to join the nuns."  I had some second thoughts, it's true--but since arriving at the Mound last summer I haven't once regretted my decision to become a Candidate with the Sinsinawa Dominicans. Now I'm in Atlanta: living in community, reading the Old Testament, studying theology, deepening my prayer life, reconnecting with old friends, participating in Just Faith Ministries, and riding my bike all over the place!  On the one hand, the familiar, secure life that I'd estab...