Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Several years ago one of our elder Sisters asked Sr. Ann Willits, OP this question:   Are we coming or going?   Ann was in the process of writing a presentation for an event as the Order of Preachers was celebrating our 800 th anniversary worldwide.  She said the question was just what she needed for her presentation. I have never forgotten this question and in times of transition it especially comes to mind.  For me this summer is a time of transition as I move from a long-time retreat ministry in Florida to my hope of developing an itinerant preaching ministry…and…moving back to the Chicago area. (Oh my – the artic vortex!) This time of transition is filled with the question – am I coming or going?  The only correct answer is: YES!  That little connector – “OR” --  belies the truth about transitions because these times in our lives include both. They include goodbyes and hellos, letting go and going forth, p...

Have you ever experienced in your life a time when you were at crossroads, an intersection, transition or whatever you called it?   A time when you were in-between two worlds or choices and both of them or several of your future options were all good?   Presently I am living in such a space.   It is definitely not the most comfortable space to be in.   I am in my fifth year as parish administrator and I strongly feel that the time is right to let go of this familiar ministry and people and move unto something new.   Yet I am not too sure what the something new is.   However, there are several options.   Have you ever experienced that? Another challenge that comes with knowing it’s time to move on is trying to live in the present and complete the present ministry in the last couple months; yet having that feeling of excitement when I think of the limitless possibilities of the next ministry.   I find myself having to be very intentional about ...