Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Megan is here!  A Sinsinawa Dominican Candidate shares life at Monona House before going to her next assignment.  What a whirlwind of blessings! It is also the last days for us to live at Monona House where we began a house with a mission 4 years ago.  Sisters and associates easily live with a strong sense of mission, but having a house with a mission may be unique.  We named it Monona House.  We live in  Monona, WI,  and the literal name, "Monona" says "beautiful."   We sought to be aware of the beauty of each person who entered Beautiful House whether to visit, to live, to meet or to perform maintenance tasks.  Four years later we experience the fruits of beautiful as we look through  Megan's eyes. The dining room table is where many beautiful people share bread and life stories. Many come to share while Megan is here. We share   Navajo wisdom with friend, Omie pictured here.   But others come by as well, our 80...

When I think about where I was at this time last year, I'm amazed both by how my life has been transformed...and also by how familiar it feels.  Early last March, I was freshly recovered after a 4-day hospitalization and month long leave of absence from my job after getting hit by a car while riding my bike.  I was beginning the last month of a 7 year career as a disaster recovery consultant and everyone I knew was asking me if I was having second thoughts about "leaving my life behind to join the nuns."  I had some second thoughts, it's true--but since arriving at the Mound last summer I haven't once regretted my decision to become a Candidate with the Sinsinawa Dominicans. Now I'm in Atlanta: living in community, reading the Old Testament, studying theology, deepening my prayer life, reconnecting with old friends, participating in Just Faith Ministries, and riding my bike all over the place!  On the one hand, the familiar, secure life that I'd estab...

I received a beautiful card in the mail a few weeks ago from Sr. Joan Duerst with the quote: “If there was no change, there would be no butterflies.” This simple yet profound quote passes through my mind every time I walked by the beautiful Ginkgo Biloba tree that stood outside of Dominican High school on my way to the Campus Ministry room. I greeted this tree every morning with a smile, because I was excited to see its stages of transition when the Fall season began. Sure enough, the Ginkgo Bilboa tree transformed into a radiant and golden work of art. One day, I decided to take a picture of the beautiful tree and I am very happy that I did because at the end of that day, all of its beautiful leaves blew away. The tree is now bare, but I am so grateful that I was able to journey with this tree, even if it was for a short while. The tree reminds me of myself in so many ways, because as I continue to transition, grow, and transform during my candidate year, I know ...

By Breath, By Blood, by Body, By Spirit, we are all one… these words by Sara Thomsen rang through my mind, body, and soul as I left the Sinsinawa Mound a month ago to the day. For me, being “sent out” on the feast of St. Dominic has connected me even more with the heritage of Dominican Life. My first month here is Whitefish Bay has been filled with contemplation and adventure. From evening prayer to fresh popcorn, I wake up each day with a sense of peace and happiness. Also, being a Dominican High school has helped me to recognize my own privilege of being able to journey with students who are still in search of who they are and how they can see God in all people. As Sara Thomsen sings, “The fire in my heart, my soul flame burning…” this also became real for me as I attended the Dominican Women Afire Conference in San Antonio two weeks ago. This conference broadened my perspective of what it means to be family, as each of our “soul flames” burned brightly together that weekend. My fir...