Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

At New Year I am asking, "When have I heard God calling in 2012?  Where am I being called today?" As I looked at my journal for 2012 I found entries about wanting to be part of the dance of the universe.  So here I am on this 9th day of Christmas, and I am thinking of the 9 ladies dancing of the old carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas".. Who are the dancing women of 2013?  How are they called? 1 women of learning 2 women of music and dance 3 women of art and drama 4 women of foreign policy 5 women of peace 6 women for justice 7 women for women 8 women against racism 9 women for . . . (you name it) I realize that God is calling women of every talent to be women of the Gospel in 2013. I want to support other gospel women.  I am grateful that I am called to be a Sinsinawa Dominican. In community we support one another to go where ever the work is great and difficult and where each is sent by Jesus, the Lord of the Dance. ...

I’ve often heard music described as a universal and international language – a language of sounds and rhythms that expresses a wide range of ideas and feelings, regardless of cultural differences or native language. It certainly has the potential to bring people together in ways that are magical and fun. Young in religious life, and among the newest members of our Congregation, I continue to learn more and more about our large international Dominican family. Such an opportunity occurred during the Christmas holidays at our Sinsinawa motherhouse. Three Dominican sisters from Vietnam, living and studying in the States for a few years, were among a group of us hanging out and having fun one evening. Later, we began caroling. They joined us in English and with some prompting, sang a few favorites in Vietnamese. With a daring sense of curiosity, we tried the two languages and sounds together. Imagine that! Our Dominican life and traditions are rich with many ele...

This year our parish decided to put on a Christmas pageant.  Children ages four to twelve volunteered to be in this pageant.  The youngest children were the sheep, but a few were elevated to shepherd status.  A legally blind little girl was the Angel Gabriel.  Joseph was shorter than Mary, and the readers read too fast.  It was over in fifteen minutes--all of the work that went into this production--making costumes, learning lines, and coming to rehearsals. Was it worth it? The girl chosen to be Mary looked carefully through her doll collection to choose just the right doll to be the baby Jesus.  A four year old was on his best behavior so he could be a sheep.  No matter what part they had each child was excited to be part of this pageant and put their whole hearts into it.  Cameras flashed constantly to capture moments that will be long remembered.  Oh, yes, it was worth it. What ...

"What is this crying in Jordan?"  This Advent line resonates with our nation's broken heartedness.  As the Miserable Offenders' song, Keeping the Baby Awake , says " Who then shall stir in this darkness, prepare for joy in the winter night?" Yesterday in church I sat behind two little girls with darling outfits and cute braids. They kept smiling up at their mom.   I couldn't help but cry as I thought how precious and fragile they are. The children at International Community School flood my heart as I reflect on the tragedy of this past week.  I hold their tender shoots with the prayer that they will bloom .  As you view there photos, please hold them in your heart. ICS facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ICSGeorgia  Image their blooming and the blossoming of the many children who are in your lives. Our God is born into our lives.... Patty Caraher, OP Atlanta, Georgia

This advent season a young woman told me she loved Christmas because it is all about Jesus and people are nice, giving and willing to share with others and even strangers.  There is hope in the world despite the hardships and struggles.  She wished Christmas could be all year long. As we approach the end of the Advent season, often it is forgotten or lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, gifts and parties.  Advent is a time to slow down, stop, wait, hope, take inventory of our life and ask the question, where is Jesus in our life, do we need to make changes or let of go of things …….for Christmas is about Jesus with us. As we wait in hope, anticipation and expectancy of Christmas, of Emmanuel “God with us…” let us prepare these last days of Advent.  And I ask, why could we not live as if Christmas was all year long, extending the love, hope, joy and peace of Jesus to all…for Jesus is with us. What do you need to surre...