Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Community life (living together as sisters) has always been a high point of my vocation. The rhythm of a community can give, or stifle life in all forms of communal living, families, roommates, etc.     Time dedicated for prayer, meals, study, and play are essential components in a religious community. The morning hours, in all the communities I have lived, are quiet times. There is always movement about the house, but silence provided an opportunity for private prayer.  Time to sit in silence with scripture and in God’s presence was my “get right” opportunity to start my day.   In community living there is designated time for communal prayer and meals, and opportunity to talk about your day. There was time after the evening meal to play games (Hand and Foot was my favorite card game), watch TV, read a book, grade papers, or visit with one or two sisters. Usually between 9-10 pm there was silence, another opportunity for private prayer. The rhythm of these communitie...

During these years of Covid I’ve had lots of opportunity for solitude at home. Lately though I’ve noticed that it’s easy for me to fill up the quiet with music or podcasts or radio and tv programs. I have earbuds so I can seem quiet but inside I am miles away listening to a book or a program. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. However, I am aware that it does keep me from being  PRESENT . I listen to podcasts or a book while I’m getting the dinner ready, and I am entertained by and enjoy the content. However, it does distract me from actively paying full attention to whatever I am engaged with. Peeling  this  carrot or washing  this  dish. Perhaps I have become used to filling up all the spaces.     When I go out for a walk I’ve been listening to books on my phone. Enjoyable for sure but it distracts  me from being present to the walk itself. When I switch off, I can pay attention to the wind on my skin, to the texture of the bark on t...

There she was On the ground Hurt Frightened Vulnerable. I took her in my hands She clung to my finger Breathing, resting. There I was Talking to her Stroking her breast, her back Feeling her wings. Are you hurt? How can I help? Silence Presence Ministering Being ministered to. Connection Compassion Love. A while passed. In humble adoration. Then she turned her head Looked me straight in the eye And flew away. A bird in the hand… A word of God. Broken, Spoken, Received. With Gratitude. “This is  the season for letting our prayer be inspired anew  by closeness to nature, which spontaneously leads us to give thanks to God the Creator. Saint Bonaventure, that eloquent witness to Franciscan wisdom, said that creation is the first “book” that God opens before our eyes, so that, marveling at its order, its variety and its beauty, we can come to love and praise its Creator (cf.  Breviloquium , II, 5, ...

Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Annunciation Every year, it’s the same: the intensifying liturgical readings, the weekly lighting of another candle, building anticipation. For all its predictability, Advent is my favorite season. It never ceases to awaken something that lies dormant deep within me. But why? After all, I already know what’s waiting at the end, so why go through the annual charade of suspense? For starters, it’s the way that Advent invites me to practice patience and presence before rushing headlong into parties and presents. It’s the balance between darkness and light, and the reminder that the former is every bit as important as the latter. It’s the silence and the longing. It’s because each Advent takes me deeper into the mystery of a God who loves us enough to meet us on our turf, becoming human so that we might come to know God. It’s the already-not-yet paradox of Advent: even as we stand in awe of past and present incarnation, our souls long for a union w...

Every year, like most Dominicans, I dedicate some time during the summer months to retreat.  It is usually a week, but sometimes I can only fit in five days.  That was the case this year.  I went to the woods outside LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  These hermitages are about a 20 mile ride from the Mississippi River.  Gorgeous country.  Retreat brings extra time – extra prayer time, extra time for rest, and extra time to spend in silence.   I spent part of each day climbing up and down these bluffs.   It was rigorous and amazing.    I found a spring with the purest water.   A sister friend in the hermitage next door shared meals and prayer.   Rumi says: Come out of the circle of time and into the circle of love. That is what retreat allows for…extra time in the circle of love.   Peggy Ryan, OP River Forest, IL