Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I need to be honest.   I didn’t want to write an entry for the blog this month.   You may recall my entry in July about the Iraqi Dominicans and the tragedy that is unfolding.   Now you may know that much more horror has unfolded.   All the Christians and other minorities in the Nineveh Plain had to flee into the Kurdish region, of the desperation of people’s lives and the humanitarian crisis. So what’s with my entry title?   I am preparing a day of reflection for a grammar school faculty & staff and have been rereading Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation: The Joy of the Gospel.   In his introductory section he writes:   “I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty… I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress...

June is my usual month for my annual retreat and so it was last month.   I try to NOT have expectations - to be open to the Divine Spirit’s surprises. During my years in Florida, it has sometimes been a challenge to find a retreat house for myself –   I minister at one all year!   In Tampa I found one that hosts a week long silent directed retreat every June.   Perfect! Yet summer in Florida can be like winter in the northern states.   How so?   The weather – and bad driving conditions.   In Florida?   Each year – as I drive back and forth across the state for my retreat – I drive through torrential downpours.   There is a whiteout of a different kind that happens.   Everyone puts on their car flashers.   I talk to God a lot during these episodes. Something else happened this year and with the support of my director, I attended to it.   I have had a long relationship with many Iraqi Dominicans – Sisters & Friars – be...