Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

The St Dominic Window in the Queen of Rosary Chapel. Sinsinawa, WI August 8 th   is the feast of Saint Dominic.     I think it is an appropriate day to ask what would St. Dominic do in the light of two pandemics – one spreading a deadly disease and the other spreading the sin of racial injustice. What would St. Dominic do?  I find the answer an easy one because our Sisters and Associates, the daughters of Saint Dominic, are guiding us to the truth.  As a result of COVID-19, we have Sisters and Associates who are in hospitals and nursing homes, schools and social service agencies.  They are burying the dead and feeding the hungry.  They are accompanying the most vulnerable.    As a result of the current racial unrest, we have Sisters and Associates protesting and speaking out.  There are also those who are continuing to caucus or discuss with other White Sisters and Associates how we can rid our congregation of th...

Floating on Lake Michigan   Saint Dominic is known for his dedication to community, prayer, and study.  He is also known for his deep sense of joy.   Joy is a characteristic that both comes naturally and must be cultivated. Especially now!   I believe we have a gospel imperative, a mandate if you will, to be joyful.   And, I don’t mean Pollyanna.   I mean full of humor, with a leaning for fun.   Joy delights and finds goodness all around.   Joy seeks laughter.   It is contagious.     What gives you joy?   Is it a good book?   Is it the company of treasured friends?   Is it a magnificent sunrise?   Is it a delicious treat?   I find joy in anything to do with water.   Some of my happiest moments throughout my life involve swimming, or just being in water.        Being a joyful person allows you to bring joy to others.   This is an ingrained Domi...

I have just come off a month of dog duty. I walked Tiger, the dog, early morning and late evening.  Made sure he got his medicine two times a day. and enticed him to do what was needed by offering treats. Today when I walked alone I remembered that St. Dominic was often symbolized by a hound with a torch in its mouth.  Check it out!   https://churchpop.com/2017/08/07/hounds-of-the-lord-the-little-known-meaning-of-the-dominican-dog/ I learned that the nick name for all Dominicans is “Hounds of the Lord.”   It means I am to run through the world and set it on fire with the WORD of the LORD.   I learned some attributes of hounds from observing Tiger. ·       Search for evidence of where people are to be found ·       Examine things carefully to see if they are true ·       Sprint toward people and things with which to make contact ·       Walk in lovi...

  Prayer is one of the four pillars of a Dominican lifestyle.  Along with preaching or ministry, community, and study, prayer is how we devote ourselves to a gospel way of life.   We pray in common, joining with our sisters and with all the faithful, wherever we are missioned.  We also develop a cherished relationship with God.  Our founder, Saint Dominic used to say, “Talk to God and about God.” Prayer is how we relate to God and influences how we relate to the whole universe.  Summer, with all its growth and greenery, has so much to teach us about prayer.   Just this week, I have been passing the zucchini plants from our community garden on my way to the Food Pantry.   Each plant, with its bright yellow flower still bursting forth from the stem, seems to be growing bigger on a daily basis.   By the time this vegetable ends up on the table of one of our neighbors to provide a savory meal and sustenance, the zucchini will have “...