Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

More than five years ago, my blog entry was based on the title hashtag. It is a hashtag I have used in tweets. In my life, it is time to revisit this hashtag. This is a time of huge transitions for me.  The limits of space here precludes going into all that is happening but to say - I am no longer in Florida but now back near Chicago.  No more hurricanes but the potential of arctic vortexes!  It is all good and some days are difficult. Here's my current tweet:  #takewhatyouneed awake ~ nurtured ~ loved ~ trust ~ laughter ~ perseverance ~ open to chaos ~ seeking some order  ~~ Breathe in ~ Breathe out ~~ The breathing is important.  It is the kind that I consider contemplative and purposeful. The words and phrases became the list as I prayed and consider: 'What do I need?' What do you need? Is there one word from my list that you need for yourself right now?  Take it.  It is meant for you. And don't forget...

In a previous blog posting, I mentioned a Study Circle that was formed to embrace and walk with one of our newest members in the Congregation.   The next topic of study is Community – one of the four pillars of our life.   The others are prayer, study, and ministry.   During the preparation for this week’s gathering, I contemplated both the materials provided for our study and my own experiences of having lived in communities.   Many nuggets of wisdom regarding community were quoted in the study materials, but the one that most resonated with me was an article from our Constitution which says: “ When values and goals are held in common, gifts nurtured, mistakes forgiven,  and when persons are consistently and warmly loved, we grow together toward  the ideal set forth by Fr. Samuel [our founder].” Reflecting upon that statement, I realized that this is truly my experience of life-giving communities; and like you, I have had many engagements ...