Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Today those of us in the Northern hemisphere celebrate the "return" of the light; we will now enjoy a few extra minutes each day.  I've been spending time this week with some of our Sisters who lived many years in Alaska, where winters were spent in almost perpetual dusk.  Hearing their stories, I've realized today is really a cause for celebration for our Northern neighbors! Although I welcome the returning light, I've tried to make a point this Advent of reverencing darkness.  So often we focus only on the light, hoping and waiting for its coming.  We see darkness only as the absence of light, and we forget that Holy Mystery often resides in the sacred darkness.  In fact, I bet Mary felt very "in the dark" in today's Gospel reading, when invited by the angel to take on an unthinkable role.  We have the advantage of knowing how it all turned out for her, but Mary simply had to trust.  And her trust-filled yes, offered in darkness, would eventua...

In the course of daily living during these days, the topic uppermost in my thoughts and actions is Jubilee.  I am one of the coordinators of the Mound Jubilee celebration.  What it comes down to is sort of like being on a team of wedding planners.  There are many details to attend to before we welcome our Jubilarians and their guests in a couple of weeks. In the midst of this, I’ve been thinking about and praying with the Jubilarians.  These 13 women who have shared sisterhood for over 50 years will have the gift of gathering together where their journey began, sharing and remembering stories, and re-connecting after having been separated geographically by their ministry locations.  I am even more aware of my own journey and the path where God has led me.  I am graced! Do you remember the joy of celebrating a family 50 th wedding anniversary? How did God speak to you in that experience? Is God calling you to sisterhood with us? Anne Su...

It was my birthday last Thursday.  Have you noticed how fast the years are rolling by and as you get older they seem to FLY by!!  That's how it seems to me anyways.  But it was a time for me to relish being born and to celebrate being alive.  The presents, cards, emails, phone calls, visits, and even the sometimes off key but always hilarious singing of "happy birthday" said to me that my Sinsinawa family, my blood family and my friends are glad that I am a part of their lives and I felt so grateful too, to have them as a part of mine. Today I thank God for the gift of family and friends.   With whom do you celebrate your birthday?  Gail Jagroop, OP St. Joseph, Trinidad

As I write this blog I look forward to gathering at Sinsinawa this weekend to celebrate Community Days with over 300 Sisters and Associates.  It can be overwhelming – especially the first minute we walk into that formidable building!  And yet, once the initial entry is completed, the days are filled with prayer, friendship and challenge as we look to our future together as a community. This summer Sister Geri and I have been privileged to lead a number of retreats for faculty and staff of Catholic schools of the Owensboro diocese and religious education programs of small parishes in our diocese.  These persons, the majority of whom are women, are committed to nurturing their own faith lives and discipleship as they minister to young people.  They inspire me as they plant seeds of faith, knowing they will never see the outcome of their labors but are assured that as these young people grow they will be guided by God’s hand.  As the Sins...

Recently, a group of Sinsinawa Dominicans gathered to celebrate a birthday.  A beautiful prayer, simple decorations, flowers from the garden, good food, and most of all, great conversation and lots of laughs made the evening very special.  The whole celebration was a community effort, done with great love and affection.   As Dominican women, life is often reduced to the basics – our love for God and for each other.  Our love for each other never stops there…it moves us in the very depth of our souls to bring God’s love to the world.  This love is our greatest celebration.  What are you celebrating this summer?                Peggy Ryan, OP Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin