Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

For most of my 9 years as a Sinsinawa Dominican, I have ministered among women on the margins of society; margins set by poverty, sexism, racism, domestic violence, and addiction among others. I know firsthand the plight of working women and working mothers, having been a single mother myself. I didn’t know what this life would be like but quickly became aware of the many privileges we as women religious have. It was from that limited, therefore faulty, perspective that made me hesitate ministering directly with our elderly sisters – I thought they had everything they needed and had all the help they needed. Thankfully, providence intervened. Last summer, I began ministering with our sisters at an assisted living facility in south-central Wisconsin while taking Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) classes. I see more clearly now something I thought I knew well … that need is everywhere. Hurt and loneliness are everywhere. Longing to live a life of meaning is common to us all.    ...

Have you ever gotten through something difficult and wondered afterward, “How did I ever make it through that?”   Have you ever mustered up an incredible amount of strength, courage, trust, and gratefulness and then wondered, “Where did those inner gifts came from?”   I believe with all my heart that this is the definition of grace.     I recently went through an operation for a cervical disc problem.   I was in the process of finishing a five-year study program, had recently begun a new ministry, and on top of it all, just moved to a new city.   Timing for illness is never good, but this was over the top horrible.   I had to just let go, rely upon those around me for help and care, and trust in a brand new set of medical personnel.   God’s grace got me through it all. Grace comes to us in so many ways.   To just give you one example – a family member, with health issues of her own, spent the whole day of surgery with me in the hospi...

This past week the RFM team brought together the new members for a series of activities and chats around congregational history and finance.  We did a lot of reading about the historical context and origin of the Sinsinawas Dominicans and visited several sites of Fr. Mazzuchelli’s footprint in the area.  Various groups of sisters graciously shared their experiences of the more recent history of the congregation and the different challenges that emerged.  There was also a session with our Treasurer to discuss how we live the vow of poverty and how the congregation as a whole manages its resources.  In Sister Mary Ellen Butcher’s remembrance she describes our kind of common life as one of “high-risk living” in which we lose control and “do not feather our own nest”.  What a wonderful and true depiction of what I’ve seen in all the sisters I know. The past couple of days I've been pondering it all and questioning what it means moving forward.   I've ...

This past December one of the world's greatest leaders was born into eternal life. Nelson Mandela left an indelible mark and I hope will continue to influence our understanding and living in a multiracial society. This coming weekend, we in the United States, will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King and his contributions to racial justice. I pause to ask myself "How do/will I honor the legacy of Dr. King and Nelson Mandela and make a difference with my life?" As a Dominican sister, committed to racial justice through Anti-racism work, I consciously choose to reflect on my life and our society through the lens of racist attitudes and behaviors and to continually engage in conversion that leads to racial justice. Through study, daily living, caucusing, prayer and contemplation I hope to also leave a legacy. The people of South Africa, Black and White, mourned the passing of their beloved Madeba. The singing and the dancing, the memorials and testimonies touched my...

As I contemplate my perpetual profession of vows I am savoring some of the words and phrases in the profession ritual, like "to the honor of the Almighty God", "even unto death," "the mercy of God and yours," "Yes, this is what I choose," "poverty," "chastity," "obedience," "vow yourself to God and to live in this Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation," "constitution," and "trusting in God's faithfulness." Wow! How awesome this is!  How impossible to live this out by human standards!   I am so grateful for the promises implied in the words of profession.   As I vow myself to God, implicit there is the assurance that I am not alone.  God will be my strength, my comfort, my consolation, my joy and my Love, even unto death.  Am I not asking for God's mercy?  As I place my hands in the hands of my prioress and vow to live this out in the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, impl...

A few days ago one of our sisters died. Her name was Victoire Beausoleil. Some sisters had known her as their second-grade teacher. I came to know her in the later years of her life. I was then a candidate for the congregation and she was living at our mother-house. Her welcome was an inspiration and source of encouragement to me. And it was not only Victoire. I remember Consuelo Fissler  - with whom I had a special bond as we shared the same birthday –and so many others whose names I have forgotten. They lived their commitment as joyful, contemplative women of the Gospel as they built relationship with the newer members. This year, as I go back once more, several of my friends will no longer be there. And yet there will be others. Our congregation is alive. Sisters, who were out on mission before, are now at the Mound and Villa. As we renew our relationships, we drink deep of the energy that flows in us and through us. We know that ‘at the heart of minis...