Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

This week we are in the midst to remembering and celebrating the lives of two of our sisters who have been reborn into eternal life.  They have left us in their bodies, but they are still present among us.  The legacy of their ministry, their sisterhood with us, their uniqueness, and companionship will be with us until the end of time. When I entered the Congregation nearly 10 years ago and experienced my first wake, I was profoundly moved.  I still am - even after having been present for the wakes of many sisters.  We begin our ceremony processing with lighted candles, singing hymns.  After everyone has arrived in our prayer space, one of the sisters proclaims the sister’s obituary usually employing a symbol pertinent to the season and the sister’s life.  During the evening prayer service, after psalms and a reading that speak of the sister’s life, a sister who knows her well will deliver a reflection about her life.  Then ev...

Gratitude is for all seasons! I am so aware of the many blessings in my life. I recently led a weekend retreat at Sinsinawa Mound entitled “Walking the Path of Life: Exploring Life’s Transitions.”  Seven people gathered not knowing one another. Through the grace of God we became a community, able to trust our inner longings and be a support to each other. This was truly a profound time of grace. On the last day we gave thanks for our blessings.  As I reflected on my blessings I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my ministry of spiritual companioning and retreat facilitation. There are so many people who have invited me into their hearts and entrusted me with their sacred stories. What an awesome privilege it is to be with people who desire to go deeper. I am forever changed for good. Each of us is called by God and given a mission. We need others on that journey with us who are willing to reveal the movement of God within. What are you discov...

Over the last week, I have been asked if I will be spending Thanksgiving with family. I have said yes, though it will not be with biological family.  This Thanksgiving I am scheduled to be with residents (moms/babies).  The residents will be spending Thanksgiving with the Sisters and me.  Both are excited to have dinner together. One of the residents whose family is not the U.S. told me family for her is those with whom she is with and those who care for her.   Matthew 12:46-48 comes to mind, where Jesus witnesses the relationship change of family. Someone tells Jesus his mother and brothers are outside waiting to speak to him.  Jesus tells this person “whoever does the will of my Father are my mother, brothers, sisters.” So this Thanksgiving, as I look around at the different faces at the dinner table these are my family.  As Dominicans, we believe at the heart of ministry is relationship.  This Thanksgiving I am thankful fo...

As we begin this week of Thanksgiving, I am asking myself about the giving part of Thanksgiving.  I remember making hands in kindergarten that were meant to represent our giving. Last Sunday we watched as a poor widow gave out of her sustenance to comply with church obligations.  I believe Jesus was calling our attention to this offering in order to point to unjust ecclesial practices; not to indicate the obvious of an old woman’s holiness.  Today, we hear Saint Paul remind us that the only true sacrifice is the one Jesus makes; a total gift of self. As Dominicans, we must constantly ask ourselves if the giving of our lives is allowing us to be truly transformed.  How are we being changed, stretched, made whole (read holy)?  Does my ministry happen from that inner space of abandonment?  Does my study lead me to a greater understanding of the other?  How is my prayer touching into my deepest longings?  Gratefully, we are not a...

A year ago a young woman in her first year of college had a very simple idea. . .that went viral.  So much so that it is something that is now part of my ministry.  Katie North decided to post tear-away signs around her campus with the title:  Take What You Need . Here’s a bit more about her idea at this site. A colleague heard about this idea, created her own poster and sent it to me.  Besides her original, I have made additional posters with different words – just hang them by my office door.  The tabs disappear.  It seems people are taking what they need:  hope, understanding, peace, healing, joy, gratitude, forgiveness. . . What do we truly need in our lives today– not tomorrow – right now?  Is it to be loved?  To be courageous?  To have hope?  To offer hope?  Or??? What do you need – today?  Risk asking for it.  God knows even before we ask but companions on our life journey are not...