Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

So often I think of “ministry” and “mission” as synonymous, both meaning “work” or “job.” As a candidate, conversations with sisters have challenged me to broaden my understanding of mission to include the other pillars of Dominican life: study, prayer, and community.  Investing relationships of love, trust, and mutuality with one another to build community offers a powerful witness.   In the broader culture as productivity-oriented Americans, our identity is closed tied with what we do from nine to five.   When we meet someone for the first time, we generally tell them our job title, and ask them theirs.   We tend to define ourselves on what we do rather than how we are with one another.   Of course ministries – teaching, preaching, social justice work, direct service, legislative advocacy – are important for apostolic women and all committed Christians.   However – especially in our polarized nation and world – our relationships with each other...

A month from today will mark the 10 year anniversary of my embarking upon this journey to vowed Dominican life.  I began that journey on July 28, 2003.  Throughout the formation period I gradually began to identify myself as a Dominican sister.  I had an experience this past weekend which confirmed that identity. I was called to represent our Congregation and preach on behalf of our Bolivia, Mexico, and Trinidad & Tobago missions.  I felt humbled to have been invited to step into this role.  Though I have never been a missionary outside of the United States, after reading the stories of our sisters in these mission locations and having formed relationships with each of them, I believed the Holy Spirit would inspire me to deliver a message to the people of God in 2 small parishes in Iowa.  After I had done the preparation for the preaching and “let go and let God” during the actual delivery, I could hear the plea for the congregat...