Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

An understanding I learned rather early (in the 1950’s) is the meaning of the word catholic (small ‘c’) as universal.   In fact, in the creeds Roman Catholics ordinarily pray, we use the small ‘c’ catholic. What my first teachers got across to us in our young lives is how wide and broad and deep the church is in the world. We learned the Church held together a global community. In time, I have also sadly learned, that as a Church, we still have lots to learn.   In the US, racism is a sin we still cannot rid ourselves from and so blacks and browns and, yes, whites suffer – in different ways.   This is true not only in the wider society but also among members of the US Catholic Church. The recent horrifying massacre at a gay bar in Orlando, Florida reminded me of another group that is the source of hatred in my country and even, for some, in the Church.   LGBTQ are God’s children loved into being and capable of manifesting God’s love.   Yet this universal a...

During these days, I find myself in the midst of Advent waiting -- waiting to hear good news, longing and hoping for good news.   Again, it seems all we hear and read are horrific stories of people’s inhumanity to other people.   I keep asking myself, “How can a person do that to another human being!”   How can a group of terrorists kill over 140 school children in Pakistan?   How can …?   (The list goes on and on.) How do those individuals live with themselves? During a meal conversation with a sister friend, we spoke of so many sufferings we have witnessed over the past few months.   Our conclusions, if you can even call them that, were several.   Violence begets violence.   Someone in the cycle needs to stop and say no more -- no more violence, no more killing, no more hurting another.   Our faith tells us the deceased are with the living God.   Our hope leads us to believe those left behind mourning their loved ones will find co...

A few weeks ago we turned our clocks back an hour.  That meant we had an extra hour.  What should I do with that extra time? One of the assignments I gave my class of high school students one year was to write an essay on whether or not they would like an extra hour added to their day, and if so, what would they do with it.  After they thought about it almost the entire class concluded they did not want an extra hour added to each day.  They thought they would probably only waste this added hour. What I learned from reflecting on this question is that time is a gift, and that God has given me enough time to do whatever God has intended for me. I don't need another hour, except for that one day a year when daylight savings time ends.  The time I have each day is sufficient and I hope I use well the time I am given.  The extra hour?  I can't even remember how I used it. What are your reflections on time? Marie Lucek, OP ...

Dear Lent, After reading Roberta’s correspondence with you, I decided to follow her lead.   We’re almost halfway through our time together, and I must admit… it’s taking me a little longer to warm up to you than I would like.   I greeted you this year as I typically do, with an enthusiastic brainstorm session resulting in about twelve ideas for resolutions.   However, after reflecting on our encounters in previous years, I thought it wise to choose just one.   This year, my resolution centers around fasting from mindless activities (especially technology-related!) in order to “feast on” real, deep, intentional time with others and in prayer. I expected that once I gave up certain activities I would find it so much easier to do the things that matter, but I’ve found myself just as distracted and “busy” as ever.   It turns out the conversion I need is an inner one, and that takes a little longer than a few weeks.   You’ve been hard on me th...