Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Many things to think about, pray about these days. People are sharing the abundance of their gardens-- a large butternut squash, wonderful tomatoes, gallons of maple syrup. “ Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts.” Grateful thoughts come to us as we share an evening meal together. Then we share the wake service of a sister or the talk on the Doctrine of Discovery from our sister, Christin. We ponder together what struck us and what we are to do now. What a blessing to share Dominican community. Where are you being called now--compassionate care for others, joyful singing making hearts glad, teaching a child to read? Each of us is called , vocatur, vocation. As we grow in vocation so also does our vision. In the Sinsinawa community new visions have moved us to take on new commitments together. We have spoken together in corporate stances. RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP 2021 ANTI-RACISM 2020 CLIMATE CHANGE 2018 JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM 2013 HUMAN TRAFFICKING 2008 AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY 2002 I...

…after nearly 47 years living in Dominican community:  people do their best! What do I mean?   All of us were called by God.  To do what?  Whatever needed to be done!   I was a high school teacher of religion for ten years.  I went to summer school during those years to learn more about my faith.  Then I discovered that my students were learning things that their parents didn’t know.  So I pursued a degree in adult education, and used it in Des Moines, Iowa, Milwaukee and for the congregation. All that time I lived in Dominican communities, where I was supported in my growth –  as a woman, as a teacher, as a learner, as a sister. Who has supported your growth over the years?   Ruth Poochigian, O.P. Madison WI

Before entering religious life, the word “jubilee” was not part of my customary, every-day language. Anniversary, yes, but not jubilee. We have 39 Sinsinawa Dominicans celebrating Jubilees this year of 50, 60, 70, 75 and 80 years of vowed life. Three Jubilarians live in our Twin Cities (MN) area. Jubilees are celebrated annually at our motherhouse. Some sisters, however, also choose to celebrate their jubilee in the geographic area in which they live and minister. I attended such a celebration last weekend. One of our 50 th year Jubilarians currently ministers at a local parish in the Twin Cities, where there has been almost 140 years of ministry by the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation . (An amazing historical fact, don’t you think?) An estimated 500 people gathered to celebrate with her. Our dinner meal included Mexican and Midwestern USA cuisine, complimented by a mariachi band, and a variety of music and theater performances by the kids afterwards. I left the ...

This year I have been part of a study circle with one of our new candidates.   Five Sisters join her in exploring topics related to our vowed Dominican life. We gather via skype from both within and beyond the US. The six of us, while knowing each other in various ways, are getting to know each other through these unique conversations .   While the primary purpose is to study with the candidate, we really approach our times together for each other, careful to not make the newbie feel like there is a big spot light shining on her.   I am grateful for her freedom to explore the questions that arise for each of the topics as she engages not only us but many others who are touching this special year for her as she discerns religious life. Being invited to participate in this study circle I know deepens my vowed life.   I trust that is true for each of us.   I also suspect that as we go into the future beyond this process, we will know we have knitted together d...

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 ...

Mary Oliver asks us, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”   Many of us are busy about many good things.   Are these the things that we need to be busy about all the time?   In the past few months I have found myself being very, very busy about many good things.   Being in full-time parish ministry is very time consuming.   Sometimes I find myself working, working and working without taking the time to do the things that I really love and that feed my mind, body and spirit.   Important things like going to the beach, reading a good novel just for the fun of it. I then have to stop myself and ask, “Is this what I want to do with my one wild precious life?”   Don’t get me wrong I love parish ministry- it is very fulfilling.   Yet it does not feed my entire mind, body and spirit.   It is the time that I spend basking in my God’s presence, walking on the beach, being with love ones, be...