Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Photo Credit:  Sheila Yousuf-Abramson/Fred Oskin We often spend time in Lent looking within.  What is getting in the way of our relationship with God?  We focus on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.  For Dominicans, Lent must also have an outward focus and involve the world in which we live.  How is our relationship with God moving us toward those on the margins, our sisters and brothers?  Recently, Dominican University’s School of Social Work boarded buses at (UGH) 4:30 a.m. to go to our state capital, Springfield, IL.  We participated with other graduate programs in the National Association of Social Work Advocacy Day.  We met with legislators.  We connected policy to programs.  We stood up for our sisters and brothers who are left outside of access to basic human rights.  Lent calls us to this kind of accompaniment.  The wide mercy of God calls us to walk with...

“Do you have to cut off all your hair?” “Can we still hang out?” “Will you be able to go visit your parents?” “Can you keep your Facebook profile?” “Will you be allowed to host parties?” These are some of the questions I have been asked since I announced my decision to begin candidacy with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters.   For the record – no, I don’t have to cut off all my hair, and yes to the other questions listed above!   As apostolic women religious we don’t seek to leave the world but to be salt and light in it.   Entering religious life is a significant step which shifts my priorities, but it does not mean leaving behind who I am or leaving behind people I value.   My relationship with God (nourished through communal and personal prayer) and my relationship with my sisters in community are of vital and fundamental importance.   Yet my relationships with family, friends, and colleagues outside the congregation remain strong.   ...

In my ministry, retreat ‘season’ begins in September.  For this year’s weekend retreats – for the Morning Prayer that I lead I’m using Psalm 34.  Well most of it. It actually begins with this tribute:  “ Of David, when he pretended to be mad before Abimelek so that he drove him out and he went on his way.”  Jewish scripture scholar, Robert Alter, translates it as:  “…when he altered his good sense…” While many of the Psalms may note (King) David in some way – this reference makes my smile.  How clever he seems.  How deceptive.  Then wonder – how would anyone know the real “David?” It is dangerous to alter your good sense .  You could get caught, of course.  But a life-time of not being your true self is harmful mostly to your one wild and beautiful life. In my life, I need not only an annual time of retreat and an ongoing relationship with a Spiritual Director I also need daily time of quiet meditation and refl...