Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

As I was preparing to celebrate World Water Day, ahh that precious gift, I came across an article about a special river in Tibet that flows through hidden caverns and then eventually becomes a 3,00+ miles river in India.     That is a long trek.   It reminded me of this ‘sheltering in place ‘waterfall’  so many of us have experienced this past year.  What is this sheltering river we have floated on and in?  What and how does it flow in my/your hearts?     I have slowed down a whole lot this year.  I now take time to notice more and feel more deeply.  I walk more slowly and walk longer distances. Sheltering in place has invited me to do more quiet listening and to savor and pause.  I am less likely to jump to a conclusion.  I can even simply let myself be curious without having to formulate an answer.     Needless to say, this did not happen magically.  I have foun...

This past week I had a wonderful retreat opportunity.   I was gifted with a week up at Whistler in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.   It is located very near the Pacific coast, north of Vancouver, British Columbia.   Geologically it is an amazing area with gorgeous woods, glens, snow-covered mountains, wild life that all intermingles inside and outside of oneself.   One afternoon, I and a friend went on a guided eco hike through the misty rainforest.   I got to stand and be at one with a very tall, (60 foot) old cedar.   I saw the place where First Nation peoples gently took a small piece of the cedar bark to make their clothing and basketry. They then gave thanks and were careful to not do enduring damage to this regal friend of theirs.   Mostly there was the quiet and the rush of water to invite me to deepen that inner quiet, so I might delight in the outer and inner creative work of the Divine. What invites you to pause?   How do you br...

This weekend I was blessed to gather with a group of Dominican sisters- those who are in temporary profession and our companions.  It was a rich weekend, full of heartfelt prayer, genuine sharing, and plenty of laughter. Our weekend was enriched by some unexpected guests - a mother duck and her 13 offspring who were living in the courtyard of the convent where we were gathered.  Throughout our weekend, we would spot the ducklings waddling after their mama, bathing in a small water bowl, and having their fill of the birdseed that had spilled underneath the feeder. The ducklings were the center of attention!  Their wagging tail feathers and small peeps brought smiles to our faces all weekend, and their activity consistently drew passers-by to pause at the windows and watch a while. These little ones, by their mere presence, inspired happiness.  They invited anyone who glimpsed them to slow down and delight in their presence.  It was an invitation I ...