Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I never feel like I do a good job at being grateful.   I work with volunteers and I am always wondering if I adequately express my deep gratitude for each of them.   I have started a new practice this Lent.   I want to stop and make sure my thanks is not rushed or stuck in at the end of a task or an event.   I want to look the person I am thanking in the eye, sit with her or him, and take time to relate the importance of their presence and actions.   And, most importantly, I want my gratitude to come from a deep well within that knows God’s Providence.   The Dominicans of Sinsinawa have a saying:   “Providence can provide, Providence did provide, and Providence will provide.”   Gratefulness is expressed wholeheartedly when one believes that God is the source of every need.   Trust, openness, mercy, hope, joy – these are the characteristics of a grateful heart.   So, this Lent I am cultivating the practice of gratitude as a way of li...

Today I went to a really good meeting.   What, you might ask, is “a really good meeting?”   The materials were well prepared!   Not only that, but the leaders had done a very good job preparing others to take a role in leading various parts of the meeting and everyone’s voice was heard.    Best of all, we got out EARLY!!! EACH of these things contributed to a very good day!    So, why doesn’t every meeting go this well?    Sometimes we have to listen to one voice, droning on and on, as though no one else in the room has anything to contribute.    As a former teacher, I know that time goes faster (for both leader and participants) when all are invited to take part in the process.   I wasn’t looking forward to spending my Saturday this way.    But we needed it done, and in my way of thinking it was time well spent! I left the meeting wondering why it was so good.   First of all, the preparation w...