Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

An email picture -- associates and me at a conference-- reminded me of an article sent by Sinsinawa's Relation For Mission team --"Concentration on Connections Will Keep Religious Life Alive." I am connected to Faith Communities of Madison through an organization called MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength Equality and Solidarity.)     I am the leader of its religious leader caucus.   I bring the clergy and other spiritual leaders of our 20 some organizations together to strengthen the spiritual bonds of individual communities that are helping bring an end to mass incarceration. In order to build relationships with the leaders and people of the various faith communities, I take time each week to attend special events and/or Sunday services with Lutheran, African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, Unitarian, Unity or Friends communities. Last Saturday I joined James Reeb Unitarian community   as they ordained their new minister.   I neve...

A couple of weeks ago, Ruth Poochigian, O.P. wrote a blog declaring “I took the WHOLE weekend off!”  She asked at the end, “When was the last time you took time off from your ‘important’ work?”  I realized it had been over a year since I had taken some extended time off.  I just kept pushing myself until my scheduled vacation because there was so much to get done. Now that I have returned from a 10 day vacation that included a family wedding and reconnoitering with my 4 biological sisters, I am aware how much I needed that time away. Even though there are multitudinous tasks, projects, emails, etc. awaiting my attention, I am REJUVENATED.   My spirit is revived!   I have more energy, and tasks do not take as long.   I have to ask, “Why do I do this to myself?   God gave us the gift of Sabbath.   Why do I not let myself enjoy that gift more often?”   Jesus showed us the way when he slipped away from the demanding crowds to spend time alon...