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.    ...

One of the things I’m currently involved in is serving on a non-profit board for SISTER House, which sponsors and mentors women who are transitioning back to society from jail, prison or court-ordered AODA treatment.  The women live in community, in Oxford Houses, which (unlike Halfway Houses) provide democratically, self-run, safe and sober living.  SISTER House opened the first Oxford House for women in Madison, and now there are three houses for women, along with the six for men.  Oxford Houses have a governing body for their 1,500 homes in the USA and four other countries, providing more than 150,000 sober beds. As a board member, I am committed to their monthly meetings. In addition we take turns attending their required, weekly house meetings.  Sounds a lot like convent life, doesn’t it?! Last week we co-hosted the State Convention for 21 Oxford Houses in Wisconsin.  I learned so much and met some wonderful people!  One was James M...