Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Topics to blog about were aplenty this month: leaving the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis, good-byes there and here at the Mound, hellos, transitions, attending a preaching conference, etc.   Then last night (July 1) happened. We were all asked to listen to and discuss a talk given by our Prioress, which centered on basic assumptions we hold surrounding our lives here and on mission.   My local community and I met and had a wonderful , lively discussion that lasted well over 3 hours!   This was on the heels of lively table discussion earlier that day at lunch with a different group of Sisters. I am thrilled for this opportunity and specific invitation to enter into the very Dominican tradition of dialogue and disputatio , a tradition and practice that doesn’t end with the close of a day.   Make no mistake, it doesn’t necessarily mean agreement.   The dialogue is open-ended, continuing, and requires a willingness to deeply listen to each o...

One of the pillars of Dominican life is Community.   Whether Sisters are living together or gathering for congregation work or play, Community is fundamental to living religious life.   So is Dialogue. The experience of Sisters gathering whether face to face or through technology has always energized and renewed me.   This does not mean that in the processes and exchanges Sisters are always in agreement.   Rather, we are much like a multifaceted gem that only is complete because each is heard and cherished even in the midst of our dialogue that may include disagreements. When I entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans more than 30 years ago, I expected to be in the good company of faithful, intelligent women.   I have not been disappointed. What has brought surprising delight and, at times frustration, is the extent of insights that come through profound and deep sharing and living the vowed life. What experiences have you had in your life th...