Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

These are challenging and disturbing times to say the least.     Perhaps you have felt concerned and overwhelmed by all that is happening in our world.     The list is long:     too many wars on many fronts, our planet is in critical condition, so many immigrants needing a new place to call home, frightening virulent health issues worldwide and government disruptions in countless countries.     Here at home, we have our democracy teetering and people of various faiths strongly critical of each other.   Recently I was introduced to a ‘new’ song by our Dominican brother, Jim Marchionda, OP entitled ‘Become What We Pray’ and all of this angst began to settle, and I felt an inkling of hope.  It is a beautiful song, and you can go on  You Tube  to listen to it.  There are several hopeful phrases.  ‘When Believers truly practice what we pray’, is one of the lines that spoke to me.  I again realize t...

These days of national, global, environmental upheaval are a challenge for me. Yes, some days the messiness of life can be challenging and very disconcerting.  It is an invitation for me to lean into where I feel rooted.  It is there where I need to breathe.   First, I lean into gratitude.  Where is it pulsating around or within me? I take hope in the witness and the work of my vowed sisters.  Look at what good work they are doing down at the border with our ‘southern’ sisters and brothers.  Or note the teaching that is happening with young children.  Can I  hear the compassion and empathy spoken to our service to the elderly? Whether in Bolivia, Trinidad or Washington, DC, who is speaking truth to power? Meditation, mindfulness, contemplation is also salve to this messiness.  It is before the Holy that I learn . . .                   "to hold...

How am I aligned-- with people? With Universe? With God? Those questions have come since I fell flat on my face the other day.   I was walking with two friends and a dog. One said, “please hold the leash for a minute. . ..”   So, while watching the dog I missed an inch difference in the sidewalk pieces.    My shoe caught the difference, and splat! I was face down in front of God and everyone. As I picked myself up and shook myself off, I remembered that some time ago I had gone to a chiropractor.   Realignment of body is supposed to cure many bodily ills.   I thought it a good time to check my alignment.   I’ve been getting realigned for a couple of weeks now. I am feeling stronger and healthier. So how do I realign with people, Universe and God? You will tell me through prayer, meditation and Gospel. Yes. I need to remember to realign daily. Some of us met with an historian of religious life a couple of weeks ago.   We reme...