Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Last weekend I had the privilege of participating in a silent retreat given by Br. Richard Contino, OSF. In his Long Island accent, he tied together the three components of Lent (prayer, fasting, almsgiving) with the three vows (poverty, chastity, obedience) in the context of the three days of the Triduum. Not only was this a new look at the vows in a different context, but it allowed me some much needed quiet space to rest and reflect. I was able to fill up my emotional and spiritual tank through journaling, meditation, reflections and yes, some extra sleep. I had heard that the Novitiate would be full of new experiences and also extra time for quiet. Well, I think I have come to rely on our morning communal contemplation, shared morning and evening prayer and our quiet time for reflection. During the past couple months both my schedule and the personal work that is expected of me have picked up speed and so I needed that quiet even more. The four days on retreat gave me time an...

These words seem to jump out of my mouth on just about a daily basis. I’ll be engaged in conversation at the Art Center where I work, at meetings, or with friends over dinner, and somehow, I am mentioning one of my sisters who is engaged in a particular ministry, or ministered in a particular place. My intention is not to boast, but I suspect my pride is obvious. As Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, we are involved in so many vital and interesting things, bringing new life and hope to young and old. Often, part of my story will mention how much my sisters have loved a particular location where their ministry took place. Usually, there are clear elements of struggle and joy to be found in my stories of my sisters. Always, the hearers are gratified to know of the work we do, and to know more about who we are. They usually tell me how lucky I am to belong to such an inspiring group of women. I smile and agree. Ann Henkel, OP Mobile, Alabama

I have had the unusual opportunity of late of being the ‘proxy parent’ for a young Indian woman who is seeking a ‘life partner’ in her marriage vocation.   Her culture strongly encourages that this in large part be ‘an arranged marriage’. This means that the parents basically decide if this is a good match.   Kulbir’s parents are in India and not able to review the possible grooms.   That is where I have stepped in.   This does not settle easily with me.   I believe it is a couple’s right to choose the relationship.   None the less, not wanting to disrespect her cultural values I have sat with Kulbir as she/we have met a series of Indian men who may/may not become part of this arrangement. This experience has invited me to step back and review the steps I have made in choosing my vocation.   Like Kulbir, I certainly thought extensively about becoming a vowed religious.   And like her, I did take time to look around/interview what mig...

It is time for me to do my budget both at work and personally. A budget is a statement of my values.   None of us, I’m sure, have an unlimited budget! At my work I need to ask how I can best promote the life and mission of the church with the resources at my disposal. In my personal life I also ask how I can best promote the life and mission of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa. To continue to promote our life and mission, I need to have a good safe place to live; I need to care for my body with good food and exercise. My ministry requires that I dress professionally. My prayer life requires that I have good spiritual reading and I make an annual retreat. I also need time for relaxation and fun. That is what my budget looks like! The difference between my salary and my budget is sent to the common fund for the congregation. Along with all sisters who are in ministry, we care for our retired, our women in formation, our administration and other congregation needs...

Settling into Madison life has included taking classes at Edgewood College (just when did the card catalog disappear, anyway, and where did it go?), living with three loving and wonderfully unique Sisters at McCormick House, searching for a new church home, being warmly welcomed in so many ways by our Madison Dominican Sisters and Associates, and exploring volunteer ministry possibilities.   And … finding a good coffee shop!   Recently, I found myself at just such a place.   As I settled into an easy chair, I watched a woman push a couple of tables together, obviously anticipating the arrival of companions.   The table wobbled.   As I helped lift one end, the woman shoved a folded up napkin under the culprit leg, leveling it to her satisfaction.   The table was now solid once again. As I sat back down, it occurred to me that the wobbly table was a bit like me before I finally said yes to religious life.   The four legs of our Domin...

The 4 th Week of Lent – three weeks to go until Easter!   How is your Lent coming?   Are those Lenten resolutions still strong?   Have you journeyed into the desert with Christ to truly hear what God is saying to you? Every year I realize more and more that Lent is truly about Baptism – a preparation time for those preparing for Baptism and a retreat time for those of us who have been baptized a long time.   What are we being asked because of our Baptism?   We are being asked to share in the mission of Christ to build the kingdom of God here and now.   To take care of the poor, to work for justice, to be stewards of the earth, to build community.   Over the past four weeks Sister Geri and I have been traveling to the small towns of the Owensboro, KY, diocese offering Lenten times of reflection and retreats for those persons in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) who are preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiat...