Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Today just when I was needing some hope, God sent Theo (not his real name) into my life. We shared stories of hope with another.  At age 18 I was led to Sinsinawa where I learned of God's love through liturgy, scripture, nature and sisterhood.  At age 18 Theo went to prison after searching for belonging through crime. God intervened in his life and Theo eventually became aware of God's love. We saw clearly God had been in both of our lives. This week Theo and I will give a presentation to the St Vincent de Paul Society of my parish on the 11 x 15 campaign.  The campaign is led in Madison by a community called MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality and Solidarity).  We find hope in God bringing people together to work on systemic change, in this case reducing the prison population in the state of Wisconsin by half by 2015.  This is just one systemic change that is needed so that the children of this generation will know that th...

Isaiah 40:11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; In his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, Leading the ewes with care. I have been reflecting on the Good Shepherd.  May I share with you what that means to me? Several years ago, my son, Pete, did some volunteer work for several months on the Black Mesa Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona.  Among other things, he daily shepherded about 100 sheep and 20 goats, leading them to water and food.  In preparation for this work, he was required to read a lot of instructions, including lists of “do’s” and “don’ts”.  One of the don’ts was that, if a lost sheep was found, it was to be picked up and held away from one’s body.  Why? Because when held close to the shepherd’s body, the lost sheep picks up that shepherd’s natural scent which could cause the sheep’s mother to reject it. I think it is so cool knowing our Creator seeks us and gently holds us close, marking us ...

Living in Latin America now gives me energy to walk humbly and consider God’s life amidst differences.  The people of God here whom I know show me resilience for living each day.  We have been studying Canadian mining here in our area in Morelos and its negative effects on the environment.  Additionally we have been rehabbing homes of families living in low economic conditions.  These are two examples of extremes, a wealthy mining company looking for gold to sell and mothers and fathers hoping to have an adequate roof and bathroom for their small house. I trust God has called me here to Mexico to walk in faith and confidence and do the small works we are able to do for basic human rights of the people. A dignified house, a roof and a bathroom are basic rights. The open pit mining in Mexico is disastrous to the environment and thus we speak against it. God leads me as a Dominican to preach through this work for justice. What extremes are in y...

The parable of the prodigal son is my all-time favorite.  What does “prodigal” really mean?  According to Webster, prodigal is “characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure” or can be a recklessly spendthrift nature. In the parable then, prodigal aptly describes a son who claims a premature inheritance, leaving his family to “party hardy” and to enjoy a wasteful and self-indulgent lifestyle in the process. He completely turns inward to self and away from the grace of God.  Been there, done that. As Paul Harvey might say, however, now for “the rest of the story.” Prodigal is also defined as “yielding abundantly,” “characterized by abundant growth,” and “abundantly and often extravagantly rich.”  Sounds pretty good! This parable might just as aptly have been titled, “The Prodigal Father”.  The father’s love for his son was infinitely abundant, infinitely extravagant as he welcomed him back home with open arms. At Lent especially, our focus often seems to b...

I am currently a part-time student in a graduate program at Barry University in Miami, FL.  As any  good Dominican would be;  I am enthralled with this rigorous study and all that it entails.  That being said, there are few opportunities in life equal to the examples we learn from others.  One person who constantly teaches me about life and love and God’s eternal compassion is my younger sister, Sharon. There she is in the picture tubing with her youngest, Gracie. My sister Sharon is an amazing woman.  She loves life and is so open to the endless possibilities available to us.  She absolutely refuses to name “normal.”  Her wellspring of compassion matches her zest for life.  Sharon is one of those people who has learned how to always tell the truth.  Smart, funny, full of good humor; Sharon is a joy to be around.  Recently, Sharon, along with her family, had to face an incredible struggle.  She did this with an unfla...