Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Lately, it seems to me that God has been reminding me and calling me even more intentionally to service.   The Scripture readings at liturgies, novels I’m reading, and conversations I engage in all seem to have this thread of service running through them.   In addition to this, we are in the midst of celebrating the 800 th year of the Dominican order.   As we reflect upon the lives of Dominicans who have gone before us, I notice again the role of service in their lives.   Dominic himself was led to see a need in his time to serve the people of God by preaching the Good News.   Actually, he did this by befriending people, engaging in conversation with them, listening to their needs, and telling them the Good News revealed to him.   Our Congregation is preparing for Chapter, an event occurring every 5 years.   Our next Chapter is in early April 2016.   We will engage in significant conversations about the renewal of our life and mission – ...

One of my many duties at Most Blessed Trinity Parish is teaching an advanced English class on Wednesday nights to students learning this language.   It is one of the greatest privileges of my week to come together with these eager scholars and study.   I learn so much from them.   This past week we started a new semester.   I discovered in the course of the evening that some of these students work over an hour away and begin work at 5:30 a.m.   What an amazing commitment they are making to come to a night class in order to learn another language.   For Dominicans, study is essential.   St. Dominic told us to not only strive to live the gospel, but to be constant students of the Word as well.   I am so inspired by these students.   This is the essence of ministry.   I may start out the evening at the front of the class, but I always end up the night seated with everyone else.   The student becomes the teacher and vice-versa. A...