Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I cannot believe that Lent is already here!  The challenging and beautiful journey of the Lenten period is here with us again.   Unlike earlier in my life I now look forward to this special season in the church's year.  You may ask why?  The Lenten season for me is a representation of life.  It is about the pains and joys of life.  A dying to myself for forty days to hopefully rise again to new life in Jesus Christ in the Easter season.  It may mean some falling down, yet I intend to rise up again and again.   "Rending my heart, not my garments."  Focusing more on the condition of my heart.  A time where I can genuinely examine my life and try to root out what is not life-giving through consistent fasting, prayer and helping others.   I try to work on the elements in my life that I know is not good for me or beneficial to others.   It is an opportunity of forty days to let go of bad habits and persistent sinful behavio...

Writing a piece for Catherine's Cafe is always a challenge for me. I am never quite sure what to write. I start to reflect on my personal prayer and experiences of the recent past. That's where I begin each time. I have been intrigued with a book entitled Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God by Cynthia Bourgeault. Though I read it last year I decided to read it again. This time around, the message of the book has taken me so much deeper, especially since my dad's recent passing. So I was contemplating the notion of "hope" and "mercy," wanting to share some of the insights with you. Then I went to a gathering in celebration of our 800th Jubilee at Dominican University. Timothy Radcliffe, OP, previous Master of the Order and world-renowned speaker and author, was the keynote speaker. I had no idea what his topic would be. He began with these questions: What gives you hope?; How do you communicate that hope to others, especially the youth; a...

The other day, I wrongly referred to last year’s place of ministry as a day shelter for homeless women.   Why is this wrong?   It’s wrong because putting “homeless” in front of “women” reduces them to a label, a condition, with the result being that their essence often goes unrecognized. Rather, I should have said they are women who are homeless…and who are so much more! How do we label ourselves? Who am I ? I’m a mother, sister, aunt, and friend, a lover of God, people, animals, sunrises and coffee.   I’m a Dominican Sister - specifically a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa. While each of these partially describes me as an individual, they are part of a much deeper truth that has slowly been revealed to me over the last several years. I am Dominican, which is different than being a Dominican.   Being a Dominican sets me apart as an individual.   Saying “I am Dominican” speaks of essence.   Being Dominican draws me into the embrace of an entir...

One evening a week I have the opportunity and privilege of co-facilitating a group of men currently housed in a County corrections facility. Regardless of how challenging my day has been until this point, I am soon energized by those in the circle. The men who attend “Job Club” have been classified as low risk, have been interviewed by the program director, and are considered capable of successfully going out to work every day. Once a week we talk about situations that come up on the job or as they check in and out of the facility. The hopeful impact of the group is successful navigation of experiences in and outside of the work place. This past Thursday evening, one of the residents asked to speak to me afterwards. This was his last group before being released. We had an incredible conversation; one that I am certain we would never have had without being in this circle together for the past eight months. He has been in and out of prisons and jails for the last 20 years of his...

Lately, it seems to me that God has been reminding me and calling me even more intentionally to service.   The Scripture readings at liturgies, novels I’m reading, and conversations I engage in all seem to have this thread of service running through them.   In addition to this, we are in the midst of celebrating the 800 th year of the Dominican order.   As we reflect upon the lives of Dominicans who have gone before us, I notice again the role of service in their lives.   Dominic himself was led to see a need in his time to serve the people of God by preaching the Good News.   Actually, he did this by befriending people, engaging in conversation with them, listening to their needs, and telling them the Good News revealed to him.   Our Congregation is preparing for Chapter, an event occurring every 5 years.   Our next Chapter is in early April 2016.   We will engage in significant conversations about the renewal of our life and mission – ...