Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Did you awake this morning wondering “Where am I called this day? this week? This life?” In 1170 Jane de Guzman had a vision that the child in her womb was like a dog running with a torch to set the world on fire.  After his death in 1221 the world knew this child as Dominic, the hound of God, and the order that grew out of Dominic’s adventures as the order of preachers. The Order is to proclaim the word of God by preaching, teaching and example, while being sustained by community.  In 2021 preaching takes on many forms. How are you called to preach?   On this day I awoke remembering that today is my turn to write the blog for Catherine’s Café.  What a wonderful call to preach!   I began by praying to God’s Spirit.  “What do you want of me to preach today?   I found a life of Dominic.*    It is an adventure story and a mystery story too.  The events that led to the beginning of the order of preache...

“Dominic witnessed first-hand the harm that not knowing the truth about God and God’s creation could do to people . . . .”   (www.op.org/en/content/dominican-charism) These words offer a starting point for reflection about a value at the heart of the Order of Preachers: Truth.   During these days following his feast (August 8th), let’s take some time to consider this special preoccupation of Dominic, who was called, “Doctor of Truth”.   At this time in the United States – and perhaps throughout our world – truth seems scarce and elusive.   With expressions like “alternative facts” and “fake news”, some would have us believe that truth itself can be reduced to ideology and opinion.   However, a positive consequence of these times might be that we become more deliberate about seeking information from reliable sources and less casual in our acceptance of the pablum offered by much of the media.   Over the centuries, philosophers have written vol...

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 – ...

What can simplicity mean in this complex society and multi-cultural world in which we find ourselves? The Scripture readings just talked about women who gave food and money to others when they were barely surviving themselves. Their gift was more than generous; it was an expression of their dependence on God and God’s providence. I continue to encounter women who want change in their lives and need the support to move forward and take the next step. Here in Waukegan this means empowering women of all ages to study to become citizens; this will allow them to have so much freedom and calm in their lives. These women are throwing in the ‘cost’ of their time and energy to move forward and this takes great strength. A woman 69 years old and 12 years a legal permanent is choosing to study the 100 questions for her citizenship exam – and she knows little English.   My offer to welcome her and assist her in learning the English and civics questions is little compared to her choice to ...

I want to believe that if Saint Dominic were alive today he would just love Pope Francis because he is calling us to bear witness to the Gospel – the good news of Jesus.   And he has a way of doing this so that all of us are able to understand. Saint Dominic must have been this way as well.   There is an account of him staying up all night talking with a tavern owner – sharing the Gospel with him. On the first Sunday of September I led a Theology on Tap evening for young adults at a local bar.   I channeled my “inner Dominic” and had a great conversation with a wonderful group of people. What our Pope is calling us to – as he wrote in “The Joy of the Gospel” – is to be Missionary Disciples.   We are to go out and proclaim the good news in every place and in every way.   Yes, Saint Dominic would have liked this very much for it is inherent in our charism to go and bring the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ.   As members of ...