Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

“Dominic witnessed first-hand the harm that not knowing the truth about God and God’s creation could do to people . . . .”   (www.op.org/en/content/dominican-charism) These words offer a starting point for reflection about a value at the heart of the Order of Preachers: Truth.   During these days following his feast (August 8th), let’s take some time to consider this special preoccupation of Dominic, who was called, “Doctor of Truth”.   At this time in the United States – and perhaps throughout our world – truth seems scarce and elusive.   With expressions like “alternative facts” and “fake news”, some would have us believe that truth itself can be reduced to ideology and opinion.   However, a positive consequence of these times might be that we become more deliberate about seeking information from reliable sources and less casual in our acceptance of the pablum offered by much of the media.   Over the centuries, philosophers have written vol...

1 COR 13:11 When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a woman, I put aside childish things. Do you remember Goofus and Gallant from Highlights magazine?   (I’m not dating myself - Highlights is still in print!) Childhood fantasies about being Gallant, the “good” brother (or sister), and never Goofus, the “bad” brother or sister,   have been put aside and replaced with the reality that I am both.    Last night, during a prayer meeting with women in the local county jail, our talk turned to Peter. The women seemed surprised when I described Peter as a ‘goofball’ (in the most loving sense of the word) – an ordinary man who did extraordinary things one minute, and who messed up the next.   Goofus resided in Peter right alongside Gallant. In other words, Peter is a lot like us, and we are a lot like Peter.   The good news – actually, the great news – is that Jesus still chose Peter. ...

Last week we gathered at the Mound. For me, it is going home. At first it seems it will be overwhelming seeing 200 good friends all at once.   Spending time thinking and praying together about future directions. Discerning together where God is calling us now. “So who is making you go?”   My friend asked.   ‘“ I am going because it is my place of belonging, my family. It is a responsibility that I promised long ago.   I vowed that I would listen to God through this community of sisters.” Through our time of gathering we sang together, prayed together, listened together.   We were blessed by sharing our longings and our concerns. We were blessed by being present together when one of our wise sisters came to speak to all of us.   She told us to remember to love beauty and to always preach the Gospel.   She went to be seated, and then died of a heart attack in the presence of all of us. The next day we celebrated with two new sister...

As Dominican women, we are called to be aware of the signs of the times.  These signs are meant to open us up to where God is present.  We listen and look.  We study and ask questions.  We pray and reflect.  If we are open, these signs of the times can be found anywhere.  For me, God’s creation, such as our Holy Family Food Pantry community garden, is one such place.     Our community garden, which occupies a corner lot, is surrounded by tagged buildings and pot-holed streets.   The garden brings together families of all shapes and sizes, as well as master gardeners and community workers throughout the summer months.     We are filled with communal wonder as we marvel at God’s creation unfolding before us.   Our senses are bursting with a beauty beyond compare.      In these past few months, the signs of the times have come in unexpected events that shatter our most basic beliefs.   There is no...

Why? That’s a question I ask myself often these days. Why do I have Parkinson’s? People are very kind to me, yet still I wonder. One problem is that I hate to ask, yet I have to!  At a meeting this week,  I even had to ask for a hand getting out of a chair! I feel like I’m still young – and I’m now 71!  Older than I ever imagined I’d be!!   As a “Baby Boomer” I imagine lots of us are asking the same question.  If it’s not Parkinson’s, it’s something else. I am lucky, though.  I live in Madison and the University of Wisconsin offers many resources for Parkinson’s sufferers.  On Wednesdays and Fridays I’m learning how to Tango!  In addition to our instructor, we have help from graduate students in Physical Therapy.  Plus I’m learning how to Box!  (Which I love!!)  And during the month of July I am rowing on Lake Mendota in an 8-person boat with a coxswain. Once a month there is a free lecture by a person from ...

This Saturday we celebrate the Feast of St. Mary of Magdala – the first witness to the Resurrection, Apostle to the Apostles, and one of the patrons of the Order of Preachers.  Unfortunately, this preacher and faithful Christ-follower is one of the most misunderstood women in Christian history.   For centuries, Mary of Magdala has all too often been seen as repentant prostitute and public sinner – an image reinforced by artistic representations of her.   Books and movies like The Da Vinci Code which present her as Jesus’ wife add to the confusion. So who is the real Mary of Magdala? The Gospels describe her as accompanying Jesus during his ministry in Galilee and supporting the mission from her means.   She is at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion - in contrast to Jesus’ male follower who fled or hid. She is among the myrrh-bearing women who go to Jesus’ tomb early on Easter morning – and there she has a powerful encounter with the Risen Chr...