Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

The cherry tomatoes on my sister Molly’s plant make my mouth water!     The first two tomatoes I pick are so beautiful; I do not want to eat them.     The Saturday morning farmer’s market during these last weeks of August is an experience in abundance.  Each fruit and vegetable demonstrates the mystery of sunlight and rain, of earth and air.  Hidden seeds become luscious food. As Dominicans, we are called to praise and to bless.  The taste of a crunchy cucumber, the tartness of a blueberry, or the drippy sweetness of a slice of watermelon make it so easy to exclaim God’s goodness. This past Sunday’s second reading from the Letter of James says, “Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you…” Even as this pandemic rages forward and the international scene speaks of injustice and oppression, James reminds us that we are called to be the harvest of God wherever we are, in any way possible.  The harvest of God’s love, mercy...

I never feel like I do a good job at being grateful.   I work with volunteers and I am always wondering if I adequately express my deep gratitude for each of them.   I have started a new practice this Lent.   I want to stop and make sure my thanks is not rushed or stuck in at the end of a task or an event.   I want to look the person I am thanking in the eye, sit with her or him, and take time to relate the importance of their presence and actions.   And, most importantly, I want my gratitude to come from a deep well within that knows God’s Providence.   The Dominicans of Sinsinawa have a saying:   “Providence can provide, Providence did provide, and Providence will provide.”   Gratefulness is expressed wholeheartedly when one believes that God is the source of every need.   Trust, openness, mercy, hope, joy – these are the characteristics of a grateful heart.   So, this Lent I am cultivating the practice of gratitude as a way of li...

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 ...

So far, in this month of August, we have been offered the opportunity to listen to and take to heart the images of Jesus as living bread from John’s gospel.   Living bread – being the Body of Christ in our time and place.   Living bread – offering our very selves for the needs of others.   Jesus did not say, “I am the living bread” when your own belly is full and you have time to offer others a helping hand.   Jesus did not say, “I am the bread of life” when your life is without difficulty or struggle.   Jesus said, “The bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”     How am I the living bread today for others?   What do I offer when I am lacking energy, feeling chewed up and spit out, and painfully aware of my shortcomings?    What if I have this huge problem at the Food Pantry or the neighborhood has an attempted robbery, or my prayer seems dry and ineffective?   I am called to give from my very sustenan...