Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

So, I had the students who came on retreat dream about a world where peace prevailed.  What might that world look like?  And they, with crayons and colored pencils began to create that world together.  In their world they did not litter, they shared their snacks with each other, they went to church and some even spent time meditating in beautiful natural surroundings!  In the discussion that followed these 12-year-old kids came to understand that peace takes some doing! That peace began with each of them, one small act of peace at a time.  They recognized that they had to leave behind old habits that did not bring peace and begin to form new habits of love, care and consideration for themselves, for earth, for each other and for God who is our peace.  The reality of Easter with its renewed hope and promise of new life, of deep peace and joy, takes us beyond the violence and hatred around us, to a place where we can dare to dream of a different re...

A couple of weeks ago, some of my co-workers and I noticed that we were working with more international clients than usual; clients from different countries, primary languages, cultures and traditions, and professional experiences. As a job counselor, this presents many unique opportunities and challenges. Imagine, also, the hundreds of stories and relationships that ensue. In addition to native born US citizens (mostly from the north Midwest), I am currently working with clients from Egypt, India, China, Uganda, Somalia, Cameroon, Syria, Mexico and Brazil. In the course of my working relationships, I am gifted with stories about families, dreams and goals, values that influence decisions, present hardships and concerns, and more. My world view and heart expand every day. The stories I hear bring realities of others into my own. Some days, like this past Friday, I am moved beyond words to tears. Through all of these experiences, I become better at my work and in personal relat...