Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Even after over 2 weeks have passed, I am still savoring the joy of the Jubilee celebration. During the weekend close to the feast of the Most Holy Rosary, those of us who have been professed for 50 (Golden), 40 (Ruby), 25 (Silver) or 15 years (Crystal) gathered with family, friends, and the Mound community of Sisters to commemorate our professions. We participated in beautiful liturgies, shared a bounteous meal, and visited with each other, family, and friends. Due to everyone’s generosity, each of us received a large gift bag filled to overflowing with cards, notes, and other momenta. Even after 2 weeks, I am still opening and reading messages in cards and basking in the love of each sender.  I remember saying once or twice, that we need to tell each other how much we appreciate each other before the remembering service after our death. The notes the Sisters have written to me do just that.     As Dominicans of Sinsinawa, we say, “Relationship is at the heart ...

The day I professed my final vows I remember so clearly. It was Thanksgiving Day in 1965 in the church in Janesville, Wisconsin – St. John Vianney Parish. I had taught in the school for five years and was given the opportunity to affirm my vocation in that parish. Our Provincial, Sister Regina Kelly, OP, received my vows. My family, my Dominican community, and the parishioners celebrated with me. The parishioners provided a reception after the Mass. It was a most memorable day for me, and I remember it every Thanksgiving Day. Lynn Lisbeth, OP 

I suppose one reason I entered religious life was that I had a sister (Sr. Dominicana Dwyer), an aunt, and a cousin who were Sinsinawa Dominicans and another cousin who was a Racine Dominican.   I was always getting in trouble in school. Always in detention. So, when one day I came home and announced that I was going to enter the convent, everyone was surprised and said I wouldn’t last. But I did. This is to where I was called and in 2021, I am celebrating 67 years professed as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa! Catherine Thomas Dwyer, OP

At my Golden Jubilee (50 years of professed life), I realized, “I’m going to be here a while!” I was happy and my heart was at ease. When I made my first profession, I was a little nervous. For me, the best part of religious life is that I am never alone. This year, I am celebrating my 60 th   anniversary of the profession of my vows! Elaine Taylor, OP

At our motherhouse the Sisters gather three times a day for communal prayer: Morning Prayer, Eucharist and Evening Prayer. Most of those who are there are retired. Many are quite frail, but there they are, three times a day. We sit facing each other “choir to choir” and I love to look at their faces, worn and wrinkled, but alive with the joy and peace that are the fruits of their years. Some can hardly see or hear, but they come. Many are leaning on walkers or canes, but they come. They come because they are faithful to what they promised long ago. They are faithful to their profession of obedience to a way of life that will someday be culminated by the jubilant encounter face to face with the God who called them.  This communal prayer is built on the private prayer of each of these holy women. In the cloister of their rooms, in the sanctuary of nature, in the silence of the chapel, each one has had her unique encounter with her Creator. Each one brings her precious experience...

I love Summer not for the usual reasons we hear proclaimed, but because that is the season of many celebrations of who we are as Dominicans of Sinsinawa: Community Days, Jubilees, Receptions, and Professions.  Community Days is a time we come together as a community to pray, study, plan for the future of our Congregation, and re-connect with one another. This past weekend after having said “goodbye” to the sister friends who live far away from the motherhouse where I am in ministry, as I was sorting through papers that had accumulated in my book bag, I came across a reflection I had composed 9 years ago in preparation for Final Profession.  Quite frankly, I was “blown away” by what I had written.   The Spirit had certainly been with me during the creation of that document.  Among the many thoughts I found in the reflection was a question one of the sisters in my discernment circle had asked me, “What did you learn through your experience of liv...

Last week we gathered at the Mound. For me, it is going home. At first it seems it will be overwhelming seeing 200 good friends all at once.   Spending time thinking and praying together about future directions. Discerning together where God is calling us now. “So who is making you go?”   My friend asked.   ‘“ I am going because it is my place of belonging, my family. It is a responsibility that I promised long ago.   I vowed that I would listen to God through this community of sisters.” Through our time of gathering we sang together, prayed together, listened together.   We were blessed by sharing our longings and our concerns. We were blessed by being present together when one of our wise sisters came to speak to all of us.   She told us to remember to love beauty and to always preach the Gospel.   She went to be seated, and then died of a heart attack in the presence of all of us. The next day we celebrated with two new sister...

There are many forms of commitment and promises people make.  For Dominicans, we make (or take) Vows – first, Temporary Profession and finally, Perpetual Vows/Profession – unto death. Since the beginning of the Order of Preachers in 1206 there has been a lay branch that also takes Vows.  They have been referred to as Tertiaries, Third Order and now – Dominican Laity – who also are given the letters O.P. when they make their Profession. Recently, a young man (Joseph in the center of the picture) who comes for Spiritual Direction took the first step – temporary vows for three years – to become Dominican Laity.  He gives much energy and creativity considering how to encourage his generation to be engaged in the life and mission of the Church.  He hopes that his Dominican commitment will be a way to do this. This July, his First Vows were celebrated at the closing Mass for our annual Young Adults Retreat at which he was part of the retreat ...