Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

As I write this blog I am enjoying the beautiful sunshine (and later heat) of a Kentucky morning.  How good God is to give us the seasons to enjoy.  As in our lifetime we also enjoy seasons.  One of the great blessings of religious life is the friendships we develop throughout our lives as sisters to one another.  About two weeks ago I traveled to the motherhouse in Sinsinawa, WI, for the wake and funeral of a dear friend, Sister Jeanne.  I had lived with Sister Jeanne twice and also ministered near her in the South for many years.  She was a person who was not afraid to venture into new territory.  She was the first parish administrator in the Diocese of Memphis, TN, and dedicated to her ministry.  Jeanne was a great cook, had a wonderful sense of humor and always took her commitment to community seriously.  Although not well for a long time she was brave and positive about life. My companion on this journey to wis...

What is calling you to newness this season? The tree out my window, barren a month ago, is now rich with new green leaves. So many seeds buried for the winter are sprouting, and the songs of birds announce hatchlings. Recently I responded to a call to dream and plan with a group that is taking a long look at our stewardship of the land at Sinsinawa, the Mound.  On Memorial Day, Mark Shepard came as a resource person to the group.  His vision of permaculture agriculture helps me to see that care of people, concern for fair distribution of resources and care of earth is one rich piece.  We hope to visit his farm, New Forest Farm, Viola, Wisconsin this summer. (see www.newforestfarm.net ) to see how permaculture might apply to the Mound. The call that I experienced in my youth, to give my life to care for others, and to search for and teach truth  has come together in a new way. We, Sinsinawa sisters, stated our vision and mission for 2011-2016 thi...

We hear during this season that ‘the wind blows where it will’.  I have been witnessing that in my garden these days.  The week before Pentecost we had lots of breezy weather.  Flower petals were strewn all around.  The sugar peas definitely needed tying up.  The asparagus gave up and lay horizontal.  The peonies wobbled in disarray. And then this week we saw the immense power of wind in Oklahoma. How do we deal with the impact of a soft breeze, a stormy breeze, a thunderous wind?  So many opportunities to discover and name grace.  How amazing to witness resilience, stamina, community, courage in the face of such surprise, destruction, calamity.  And what of the breezes in your life?  How do you name them grace? KC Young, OP Kirkland, Washington

The Class of 2013 played a senior prank on our school the week of Graduation.  They put our school up for sale by covering the side yard with FOR SALE signs.  This creative, fun gesture exemplifies for me what is most important about Dominican learning – community.  These young men and women got together to show us, the Faculty, and Staff, as well as the outside world, one more act of community.   They are Dominicans.  It is who they have become over their four years.  In the classroom, at Eucharist, on the playing field, or at a choir concert or play performance each one of these graduating seniors has been offered a sense of belonging.  In their best moments and worst failures, we have shown up and been present.  Now, they will lead the way for others, always bringing with them the gifts of study, prayer, community, and service.  Where have you seen community lately? Peggy Ryan, OP Whitefish Bay, WI

Life is a work in progress.  I ask you the question:  What are you working on? In my ministry life, I am working on a Day of Reflection I will give early in June.  The title is:  Loving Your Holy Story .  Actually this will be part 1 – with part 2 in July. Sometimes, in order to love our life story, we need forgiveness - forgiveness of others – and importantly – forgiveness of ourselves.  So the first part of part 1 will focus on forgiveness.  As I am preparing, I am drawn into the very thing I plan to present.  I am finding my spirit contemplating how forgiveness resides in me – or not!  As I notice this current flowing through me, I realize that this is as much a part of the preparation as the ‘formal’ study.  It is necessary in order to be authentic in my presentation.  And I believe it is not accident of the Spirit of Pentecost!  It is Grace abiding and moving within me. You see, I am a work in progres...