Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Recently I led a retreat at Sinsinawa Mound Center entitled: Being Present to the Present: Living Mindfully with Gratitude. Whenever I prepare for a retreat I learn so much that enriches my life. The people who gathered were eager and attuned to the topic, making the retreat so spirit-filled. My title for the retreat was inspired by the anonymous saying:               Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery.               Today is gift, that's why we call it "the PRESENT." Often we are whizzing through our days, living somewhat mindlessly. We end up looking to the past or future. We miss being in the present moment. Living mindfully with gratitude is living life fully. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, has brought mindfulness into the mainstream. However the concept is not new. This practice is an integral part of the Christian life--centering prayer, the practice of the presence of God, contemplation,  and meditation are all forms

Last week I fell sick and shortly after, so did the sister I live with.  All ministries for the week had to be cancelled.  Well, that never happened!  Ministry continued in reverse!  It was a time to receive.  I received phone calls and emails; some visited bringing fruits; others brought medicine; some supplied soup, juices and coconut water; others came by to water the plants;  some offered to take us to the doctor while others provided home remedies; one wanted to bring over some paw paw leaves to make paw paw leaf tea!   Another was more specific suggesting a recipe - take the baby pawpaw leaves, crush and squeeze them to extract the juice, and have a tablespoon every 6 hours or so.  I did try the tea and I did eat some crushed pawpaw leaves.  Not bad actually!!! As I write, the virus   lingers and I am not still not 100% well but surrounded by such care, I  am  experiencing a strong sense of wellbeing! Today I give God thanks for relationships nurtured through ministr