Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I planned to write something lighthearted, sharing with you the joy that is religious life.   But then something happened. At our staff meeting this morning at Women’s Hearth, a drop-in day shelter in Spokane, we were told that Stephanie, a regular visitor to the Hearth, had died.   A waste management truck accidentally ran over her as she lay sleeping near the entrance to a treatment plant, hidden from view under plastic sheeting, cardboard, a blanket.   Stephanie was only 53.   She was homeless, but you should know she was so much more than that. I’d like you to meet the Stephanie I came to know through sitting and talking with her, in listening to her.   She didn’t always make sense.   On the other hand, she often did .   She was extremely intelligent; she was genuine; she was real; and she was a fantastic artist.   One day I saw her coloring furiously on an inside-out sweatshirt.   With her permission, I watched as she created the most beautiful scene of snow-capped mounta

Snow encirled my car.  Later a well known Objibwe woman would be addressing a conference banquet.  I had learned there might be tickets," first come first serve. " So I trudged to the conference site to be "first." Not only did I get a ticket, but was offered a ticket which was paid for!   While snow tempted me to go home, I knew (thanks Holy Spirit) I was meant to be there. After the talk I introduced, myself to Patty Loew*, and mentioned, I am a Sinsinawa Dominican. I was so warmly embraced and greeted, Thank you to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, who have been such good friends to the Native people of this state.  I know well the work that your community did during the boat landing violence during our treaty rights struggle back in the late 80s.   miigwetch Like most I like to take credit for individual accomplishments, but in that moment I realized that being Sinsinawa Dominican was much more than just being Joan. How do we rejoice not only in bei