Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

With two part-time ministries, teaching employment skills and offering job counseling and support to people on the margins and in crisis, my life is enriched and challenged. Other commitments such as on-going study, professional development, Congregation and community matters, family and friends, and more also get my attention. Life, like music, consists of many contrasting “voices” and relationships of melodic lines, modulations, dissonance, changing rhythms, etc. Most of the time, things in my life flow easily and harmonic chords are the result. Sometimes rhythms and melodies compete. In musical terms, that is defined as counterpoint. Commitments and relationships often “compete” for my attention and energy, with days occasionally turning into weeks of counterpoint. As Sinsinawa Dominicans, we make a vow of obedience and ‘strive to have one heart and one soul in God, bearing witness to the gospel we preach and teach.’ To better listen and serve...

What is calling you to newness this season? The tree out my window, barren a month ago, is now rich with new green leaves. So many seeds buried for the winter are sprouting, and the songs of birds announce hatchlings. Recently I responded to a call to dream and plan with a group that is taking a long look at our stewardship of the land at Sinsinawa, the Mound.  On Memorial Day, Mark Shepard came as a resource person to the group.  His vision of permaculture agriculture helps me to see that care of people, concern for fair distribution of resources and care of earth is one rich piece.  We hope to visit his farm, New Forest Farm, Viola, Wisconsin this summer. (see www.newforestfarm.net ) to see how permaculture might apply to the Mound. The call that I experienced in my youth, to give my life to care for others, and to search for and teach truth  has come together in a new way. We, Sinsinawa sisters, stated our vision and mission for 2011-2016 thi...