Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Moving is considered one of the most stressful experiences.   No one moves without a good reason because it is so much work .   Like everyone else sisters move.   Why?   We move for many reasons: a change of ministry, a desire to downsize and simplify life, a desire for community and, because we mostly are renters, an increase in rent or a change in ownership of the property. I live with one other sister and we moved from a rental house to an apartment complex on the other side of town where other of our Dominicans of Sinsinawa live.   So, we moved because we wanted to downsize and so that we could be part of the community that has formed there in the past year! Moving was a community event.   Sisters and an associate carried and unpacked boxes, put together furniture, fixed food, hosted slumber parties and laughed a lot all weekend.   See accompanying photo for proof!!   Moving can be a harrowing experience, but sharing it with them made...

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...

We live in a postmodern world where we often hear the lament of people claiming to be “spiritual, but not religious.”  I have often asked myself what they mean by this.  I now understand that this may mean that they probably believe in a supreme being, but they do not believe in institutional religion or they have been disappointed, hurt or embarrassed by a particular institutional religion. To say that I have been disappointed, hurt or embarrassed by institutional religion would be an understatement.  I have felt all these things and more at various occasions in my life, both before and after I entered religious life.  What makes me remain part of institutional religion and not choose something else is because I believe in a Trinitarian God, which is to say I believe in a relational God.  I also believe in a God who sent God’s Son for sinners and a church that is made up of sinners. As Sinsinawa Dominicans we believe, “At the heart of minist...

I’ve often heard music described as a universal and international language – a language of sounds and rhythms that expresses a wide range of ideas and feelings, regardless of cultural differences or native language. It certainly has the potential to bring people together in ways that are magical and fun. Young in religious life, and among the newest members of our Congregation, I continue to learn more and more about our large international Dominican family. Such an opportunity occurred during the Christmas holidays at our Sinsinawa motherhouse. Three Dominican sisters from Vietnam, living and studying in the States for a few years, were among a group of us hanging out and having fun one evening. Later, we began caroling. They joined us in English and with some prompting, sang a few favorites in Vietnamese. With a daring sense of curiosity, we tried the two languages and sounds together. Imagine that! Our Dominican life and traditions are rich with many ele...

Since you are reading this blog, I know that you are connected to Dominicans of Sinsinawa. Why do YOU connect? Who connects us? Recently Pat Leahy and I became connected to Julia Slotnick who lived in the house called CONNECTIONS last year as part of Dominican Volunteers USA.  When Julia moved to Madison to become a campus minister at Edgewood High School, she called us. Julia is staying with us at Monona House until she can get an apartment of her own nearer to school. I asked Julia why she wants to connect with Dominicans of Sinsinawa.  Her response was that Sinsinawa Dominicans are ·        involved with local projects ·        concerned about global issues ·        willing to connect others in ministry ·        work on professional and cultural development ·        knowledgeable about vi...