Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Gifts have been opened. Songs have been sung.  I’ve eaten too many cookies this week.  So what has Christmas meant to me this year?   I attended all the Posadas in our parish and couldn’t help but think of the people in many parts of the world, including our own border, who, like Joseph and Mary, are asking for posada, a place of welcome, protection, shelter.  They eventually found shelter in a stable.  I have had the privilege of working in El Paso in a hospitality center for asylum seekers, mainly from Central America, and will be going again in February.   I continue to be  impressed by the graciousness of the people of that city in providing shelter, providing posada.   Christmas this year reminds me, too, that Joseph, Mary and Jesus had to seek asylum in Egypt.  They returned to their own country only after the danger was over.  Later in his life, Jesus gives us this c...

I experienced a variety of different traditions in preparation for Christmas in Mexico.  One of these beautiful Christmas traditions was the Posadas, (inns).  The tradition involves families with children dressed as shepherds in a procession singing songs re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. They take place for nine nights leading up to Christmas Eve.   Another traditional celebration is la Buena Noche (Christmas Eve).  Families celebrate by gathering together, adoring the baby Jesus and singing traditional songs.  The celebration continues with food like tamales, buñuelos, drinks of atole and rompope.  The preparation for these traditional events is as important as the actual events. All family members participate, work and spend time together.  The focus is sharing with others and celebrating the birth of el Niño Jesus (the child Jesus)….all are welcome. I experienced this “welcome” thro...