Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

In our Constitution we say that we open ourselves to be changed by a  new member who wishes to join us, and we also open ourselves to the  Spirit speaking in her. Recently our local community was blessed with  a new member. Are we ready to be open to being changed by her? This is one of the challenges of community life.  We know she will  bring her gifts and share them with us. But what about her food  preferences?  Is she vegetarian? Allergic to gluten? Since she is  Vietnamese she will want to prepare some food she is familiar with. We  need to be willing to eat what she prepares. She is a student, so will  she need more quiet in the house?  Does she have any art work she  would like to display on our walls?  These are just some of the  beginning questions we explore with her. The pace of our prayer needs to be slower since she still struggles  with some English words.  One way we are showing her that we a...

I love Summer not for the usual reasons we hear proclaimed, but because that is the season of many celebrations of who we are as Dominicans of Sinsinawa: Community Days, Jubilees, Receptions, and Professions.  Community Days is a time we come together as a community to pray, study, plan for the future of our Congregation, and re-connect with one another. This past weekend after having said “goodbye” to the sister friends who live far away from the motherhouse where I am in ministry, as I was sorting through papers that had accumulated in my book bag, I came across a reflection I had composed 9 years ago in preparation for Final Profession.  Quite frankly, I was “blown away” by what I had written.   The Spirit had certainly been with me during the creation of that document.  Among the many thoughts I found in the reflection was a question one of the sisters in my discernment circle had asked me, “What did you learn through your experience of liv...

I’ve been humbled again and again in my ministry with homeless women at Transitions in Spokane.   A sampling: Next time Election Day rolls around, vote.   Women, who had previously been denied that right, proudly stepped up and registered in late October, then voted.   When we’re called for jury duty, let’s serve without grumbling.   I’ve met women who yearn to serve for the paltry daily fee.   Sure, that’s probably not the motivation our judicial system wants, but it is a wake-up call, reminding me not to take for granted the many blessings of my own life. Several women had tears in their eyes at Christmas, upon receiving a roll of toilet paper as part of their Christmas gift bag.   Wow. Getting high fives and shouts of ‘you’re awesome’, simply for making Ants on a Log - that snack of peanut butter and raisins atop celery.   I made them because I have good childhood memories of my mom making them; I thought the women might like them,...

As a spiritual director and retreat leader, encouragement is one aspect of ministry.  Actually, encouragement is needed to be given and received from the minute we are born. I am reminded of this life support virtue as I read a friend's weekly blog. Not what she wrote as I prepare my blog entry but something I occasionally remind her about especially when she creates a conversation with her dog.  These blog entries have beautiful faith and moral implications. My friend as already authored two books and my encouragement is that she consider writing books for children using the 'doggie' posts.  I can almost see the pictures that would go with these stories. Each of us both need to give and receive encouragement.  Sometimes we may push back when another offers this to us.  Yet, with gratitude we need to be open to what is being said. The other person just may be drawing out of us a gift of the Holy Spirit we didn't know was in us. What...

I’m sure you’re familiar with Mary Oliver’s question, “Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” from her poem,  The Summer Day.   Recently, I've had the privilege of visiting with our sisters in Jacksonville, Florida and Trinidad.  I have been inspired by variety of choices my sisters have made in answering that question.  In Jacksonville, five women live in community and support one another in the ministry for which each has passion.  Maureen, in retirement, is a powerhouse of volunteer activity for peace and justice.   At Divine Mercy House, Priscilla supports young women facing an unplanned pregnancy with little or no help available to them.  Beverly uses her many skills and talents as part of the administrative staff at Holy Rosary Catholic School where she nurtures students in academic excellence, faith development and commitment to service.  Elizabeth, hers...

As I write this blog I am enjoying the beautiful sunshine (and later heat) of a Kentucky morning.  How good God is to give us the seasons to enjoy.  As in our lifetime we also enjoy seasons.  One of the great blessings of religious life is the friendships we develop throughout our lives as sisters to one another.  About two weeks ago I traveled to the motherhouse in Sinsinawa, WI, for the wake and funeral of a dear friend, Sister Jeanne.  I had lived with Sister Jeanne twice and also ministered near her in the South for many years.  She was a person who was not afraid to venture into new territory.  She was the first parish administrator in the Diocese of Memphis, TN, and dedicated to her ministry.  Jeanne was a great cook, had a wonderful sense of humor and always took her commitment to community seriously.  Although not well for a long time she was brave and positive about life. My companion on this journey to wis...