Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Earlier this week I watched the “Contemplative Dialogue” around the habit that the congregation hosted and livestreamed.  I was unclear what to expect and—perhaps like many of the sisters that tuned-in—felt a tad anxious about how such a charged discussion would go.  The group discussion demonstrated a model of interaction and engagement that was inspiring: of respect, diverse expression, articulate sharing, and unity.  How wonderful to be a part of this congregation!  I watched it with my community, which includes as diverse a set of experiences with the habit as the group of women on the panel.  The dialogue was a success in that it stimulated our own conversation on the topic; we shared our experiences, opinions and perspectives about how, when, where, and what the habit can and does represent.  While we had our share of differences, there was consensus that the habit is a powerful and complex symbol that has multi-layered meanings to us, as women...

The other day, three friends that I had grown up with came over from Milwaukee to have lunch with me.   We had great fun reminiscing about those days.   Two of them are now married, soon to celebrate their wedding anniversary.   We met up at our class reunion – itself an event!!   The old place isn’t what it once was, which I guess is how life evolves…   We laughed about our teachers, the rules of the institution and the antics of kids in our class.   And we showed each other pictures.   (One of them accompanies this article.   That’s me, the youngest of the three, with my mom about two years after my dad died.) Remembering is an important activity.     We need to do it so we can dwell in who we once were, giving thanks that we have become the person we are.   Remembering is what we do at every gathering of believers when we read the stories of our common past in the scriptures.   And giving thanks is what believers...

As I considered my offering for the blog this month, I also have been pondering this beginning of the Year of Consecrated Life.   Looking at the blog for this month, I was grateful to see Kathy Flynn, second year novice, has also written about it.   So I follow in her blessed footsteps. Because of an event that I will be leading for the religious of the Diocese of Palm Beach for this special year, I have been reading the documents related to it.   But for this gathering I have also taken time to look at the mission statements for all the congregations represented where I minister. Each congregation of Sisters has its own way of expressing who they are and how they desire live God’s mission in the world.   The process of collecting and reading each of these has truly touched my heart.   It also caused me ponder again the mission statement of my congregation:              We are Catholic Sisters pr...

A few weeks ago we turned our clocks back an hour.  That meant we had an extra hour.  What should I do with that extra time? One of the assignments I gave my class of high school students one year was to write an essay on whether or not they would like an extra hour added to their day, and if so, what would they do with it.  After they thought about it almost the entire class concluded they did not want an extra hour added to each day.  They thought they would probably only waste this added hour. What I learned from reflecting on this question is that time is a gift, and that God has given me enough time to do whatever God has intended for me. I don't need another hour, except for that one day a year when daylight savings time ends.  The time I have each day is sufficient and I hope I use well the time I am given.  The extra hour?  I can't even remember how I used it. What are your reflections on time? Marie Lucek, OP ...

One of my favorite things about being a young sister-in-formation is allowing people to ask me their burning (and sometimes silly) questions about religious life.   Questions like: Do nuns have jobs?   Can you still go dancing and swimming?   You mean you get to keep that nose ring? Becoming a sister right now is an interesting thing: religious life has changed drastically in the past fifty years, but many people’s stereotypes about it haven’t.   Many of these stereotypes seem superficial (ie- all nuns wear habits; nuns don’t dance) but they may reflect deeper misconceptions about religious life… like the idea that sisters are somehow more holy or less human than “normal” people.   For a long time, my own misconceptions kept me from really considering religious life. And so I enjoy the questions.   I love making people feel free to ask them, and I love surprising them with the answers.   After all, they aren’t really asking about my nose ring;...

This past December one of the world's greatest leaders was born into eternal life. Nelson Mandela left an indelible mark and I hope will continue to influence our understanding and living in a multiracial society. This coming weekend, we in the United States, will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King and his contributions to racial justice. I pause to ask myself "How do/will I honor the legacy of Dr. King and Nelson Mandela and make a difference with my life?" As a Dominican sister, committed to racial justice through Anti-racism work, I consciously choose to reflect on my life and our society through the lens of racist attitudes and behaviors and to continually engage in conversion that leads to racial justice. Through study, daily living, caucusing, prayer and contemplation I hope to also leave a legacy. The people of South Africa, Black and White, mourned the passing of their beloved Madeba. The singing and the dancing, the memorials and testimonies touched my...