Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Last Saturday I hosted a “Circle” gathering of Sisters and Associates at our house.  Although Sinsinawa Dominicans use the word “circle” for these, generally monthly, meetings, each group’s circle seems to be one-of-a-kind with little in common with other circles other than we all tend to sit in circles.  Circles have no canonical status; but from the way the members cling to them, it’s obvious that circles are important. Theoretically, the circle I belong to has 17 members.   But about 5 Associates and 10 professed Sisters usually show up for a gathering.   Someone may be out of town.   Another person may be sick.   Someone else may just have a conflict for the date we’ve chosen.   Individuals in our group are not necessarily close friends and may not often meet one another except at Circle gatherings where we snack a bit, pray, “check in”—meaning catch up on what’s going on in one another’s lives, what’s important, how each member is feeling abo...

When I was nine years old, I went to Kathy Fitzgibbon’s house and the two of us went on an adventure-walk to Perry Creek.  It was great fun but in the end we both fell into the shallow waters and were filled with mud.  Kathy’s mother was furious that we had gone to the creek.  I went home terrified that my mother would be equally angry.  Instead, she asked me where I had been; told me to clean up and nothing more was said.   How blessed I was to have a mother that loved me unconditionally and allowed me to learn from my mistakes through the consequences of my decisions. I have treasured this memory of coming home to a safe harbor and on my spiritual journey, I try to create such a harbor within myself.  A harbor where I learn from my mistakes without judgement and I simply wash away remorse and bask in the loving mercy of my God.  This is true freedom! Daniel Berrigan who passed away this month wrote: “ Practically no one ...

Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Poland to touch base with my Polish roots. The first city we visited was Warsaw, the scene of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. In retaliation for this uprising 85% of the city was systematically destroyed by the Nazis. Old Town with buildings that had dated back to the 13th century were completely demolished. After the war this area was painstakingly rebuilt using photographs and drawings of the buildings. Today Old Town truly feels like an old town. I was deeply moved as I walked through the area. After such devastation to their country the Polish people could have given up any idea of rebuilding or perhaps only have planned for a partial rebuild.  Instead they had hope--hope that they could once again touch base with the past while passing on a legacy to their children.  What an unquenchable hope in the face of such challenges!   We have just celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Though these da...

Have you ever after facing a challenging situation in your life in retrospect realized that it had helped you to grow and shaped you into a better person?  It assisted you on the journey of finding the true you? We the Sinsinawa Dominicans believe at the heart of ministry is relationship.  This became a reality for me while being the parish administrator at New Grant R.C. parish.  It was through the challenges of that ministry for four and a half years that assisted in shaping me into who I have become today.   It was through my daily interaction with all types of people, people I was expected to love and through various life situations that required me to lead by example.  I literally had to practice what I had preached on weekends and it was far from easy!Without those experiences my faith and ability to love and forgive would not have been tested.  My prayer life would not have been tested and strengthen.  My relationship with Jesus Chr...

Not gifted with a good sense of direction I sure do appreciate signs when I am driving!  Otherwise, I can easily lose my way.  Sometimes I am so deep in my own thoughts that I miss the sign and have to turn back.  Still other times the sign is hidden or obscure.  Many times I either have to swallow my pride and stop to ask for directions or am grateful to have a companion traveller who can guide me along the way.   It's no different for me in religious life or any other pathway along life's journey.  The signs are not always obvious.  Prayer time is very distracted.  My thoughts are very scattered.  Busyness obscures the signs.  I feel lost.  "Lord what are you asking of me now, in community life? In ministry? In my relationships?"  At times like these, I turn to my companion traveller, someone who can help me to read the signs and discern a path through the maze.  Inevitably I am able to find my way again.  And ...