Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I have always loved the scripture text of 1 Samuel 3, where the Lord calls Samuel. The reason why I love this is because I can totally relate to Samuel who had to be called three times before he recognizes it was the Lord who was calling him. He was able to recognize the Lord’s voice through the help of the priest Eli. For quite a few years in my life I too was not able to recognize the Lord’s voice. Mainly because I was too busy to listen and I was living my life the way I wanted. Or so I thought. I did not have time for God, whom I felt would want to spoil my fun! However, there came a point in my life where I could not ignore the voice of God any longer. I had to decide if I wanted to listen to the Lord’s voice or not. As children of God I truly believe that when God calls we know, because there is a deep conviction within us. Like Samuel who had Eli to help him discern. I had my parish priest and other trusted persons to help me discern. Responding to God’s call is the best decisi...

As I sit down to write this little piece for Catherine’s Cafe, cup of tea and croissant in hand, the phrase “comfort food” keeps popping into my head. After several exchanges this morning with volunteers, parents, clients, donors and tutors, I am beginning to think that one of the major calls to vowed religious life involves “comfort food.” No, not eating it, though for sure, that is a regular joy. It feels like that is what Sisters are called to be. Somehow we are called to allow others to slowly savor, drink in, the presence we can offer. We are called to listen to the undocumented woman whose car was just impounded leaving her without a way to pick up her children from school. We are positioned to listen to the elderly volunteer who just underwent the amputation of her second leg leaving her afraid and angry. We are placed across from the parent who has no money to purchase the inhalers needed for her son. We hope that those who come into contact, into relationship, with us might fe...

Today I am off to a wedding .. a young Deaf couple, Lori and Christopher. Lori is from an all Deaf family, her mother is a catechist and lay minster in the Deaf community. Christopher came into the church through the RCIA several years ago. What a joy to celebrate with them! For many years I coordinated pastoral ministry with the Deaf community here in Trinidad and Tobago. One of my greatest delights was sitting in a group with Deaf people as together we reflected on the Scripture readings for the Sunday liturgy. Now Bryan, Lori’s brother, leads these sessions. It is so energizing to see people receive God’s Word and become bearers of that word. In 2003 I met the Sinsinawa Dominicans. I came to see my delight in sharing God’s Word mirrored back to me in the lives of the sisters. I found my home here. Sr. Christina Araujo, OP

It’s Monday and I’m still feeling the bounce of Saturday, the first day of Spring. I washed winter clothes and packed away sweatshirts for next year. I swept off my little balcony and put out two white plastic chairs. I changed beds from quilts to light covers, and thinned out accumulated papery stuff--outdated notes and expired “coming attractions.” Of course I did those chores in small bits. Most of the time I was outside in the “mostly sunny” day. I sat in my “deck chair” to finish best-seller The Help. I chatted with people at the Racine Arts Fair and walked the marina boardwalk; the expanse of Lake Michigan lay a deep blue before me. Back home, the evening trees stood silhouetted against an astonishingly bright yellow sunset. I gave thanks for Spring and the new life in my being. Sr. Miriam Brown, OP

As summer approaches, I am sad that I will not be going home to the Mound/Villa (our motherhouse/nursing home) until the end of summer. Most people wonder why I would want to be with the old Sisters since I am a young sister. If only they knew of the hidden jewels at the convent. I value my time with my young 70/80/90 year old Dominican sisters and can’t forget the 100’s (especially our 108 year old). My sisters may be old in age but their love of God shines brightly. These faithful women at the Mound are my roots, the rock of my religious life. Many people know my Sisters from their past ministries. I never knew my Dominican Sisters in those younger years. I came to know them in their prime years. What a glorious blessing to meet them at this time. These Sisters in their last years of life minister to each other. They minister to me by sharing their joy and life experience, their daily witness of love of God and prayer. These women inspire me, give me energy and hope for my religious...

I hope that you are experiencing spring time in your spirit, as well as in the weather. Today I’d like to share an experience of discernment. I don’t want to share thewhat or why, but rather, the experience of entering into a process of discernment of a life issue. The dictionary meanings of discernment are: 1: to detect with the eyes: DISTINGUISH; 2: DISCRIMINATE;3: to come to know or recognize mentally. The third definition is what I've experienced. When you need to make an important life decision it is important to take the process seriously and be totally open to whatever might unfold... Tune into all of the external and internal stirrings... Be AWARE, turn up your antennae to those vibes and sensations. .. MEDITATE with an open heart and mind... Be willing to SHARE your discernment with those whose insight you value, as well as those close to you and those that may bring a totally different take on this... Be willing to LISTEN to those who might give you new insights and under...

I encountered this all familiar question once again. The next question is: are you happy as a Religious Sister? I find it funny because these are the same questions I have been asked over the past four years since I entered religious life. As often as I am asked, I still have to smile because it is always the same answer. “I’m a sister because God called me. I have said “yes” out of my own free will. Religious life is something I would have never envisioned for myself and it is the most glorious blessing and gift I could have received.” I usually receive the same responses “you are so young” and sometimes “but, you are pretty.” I happily share….. God does not discriminate on age or looks. We are all beautiful and beloved by God. These questions always provide me the opportunity to share how happy and content I am with my life and that it is not for the fainthearted. Like any other vocation, marriage or single life, it includes struggle and work. It is by prayer, a faithful community o...