Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I stopped at a Hardee's on my trip out east. I just wanted a cup of coffee, regular, with cream.   I noticed that the waitress was a woman about my age and very overweight. As she shifted from one end of the counter to the other, responding to customers, I saw how hard it was for her to walk. Each step brought a wince of pain to her eyes. Arthritis, I figured, and the weight makes it worse. Too bad she can't get some help with that, but, knowing the salaries at Hardee’s, I guessed she couldn't afford it. I felt sorry for her-until I ordered: one small coffee, regular. “With cream?” she asked, smiling. I felt honored to be served by her. Wanting to prolong the encounter, I asked her where I could get a roadmap. She suggested the next toll booth and smiled again as she handed me a coffee with two creams. She gave me a large size and charged me for a small. Was that a mistake… or her way of saying she liked me as much as I liked her? Jesus must...

I am in St. Catharine, Kentucky, meeting with Dominican sisters in temporary profession in the U.S. and their companions. Our group represents the Dominican Sisters of … Adrian MI, Blauvelt NY, Houston, Maryknoll NY, Mission San Jose, Dominican Sisters of Peace, San Rafael, Springfield IL, and Sinsinawa WI. We are a diverse group of women from Cuba, East Timor, Hungary, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam Nam, and the United States.  The main purpose of our group is to provide women in temporary profession and their companions an opportunity to connect, provide support to one another, and to get to know each other better as Sisters and family. This post should have been out earlier but is late for the following reasons: Gloria Arenio Agnes, MM       Isabel da Marjojes, MM               Christina Atienza, OP Kelly Biddle, OP         ...

I have just come off a month of dog duty. I walked Tiger, the dog, early morning and late evening.  Made sure he got his medicine two times a day. and enticed him to do what was needed by offering treats. Today when I walked alone I remembered that St. Dominic was often symbolized by a hound with a torch in its mouth.  Check it out!   https://churchpop.com/2017/08/07/hounds-of-the-lord-the-little-known-meaning-of-the-dominican-dog/ I learned that the nick name for all Dominicans is “Hounds of the Lord.”   It means I am to run through the world and set it on fire with the WORD of the LORD.   I learned some attributes of hounds from observing Tiger. ·       Search for evidence of where people are to be found ·       Examine things carefully to see if they are true ·       Sprint toward people and things with which to make contact ·       Walk in lovi...

Recently, I was at a funeral for a family member of a friend.  I never knew the person who had died but wanted to be present on the friend’s behalf. Toward the end of the service there was a eulogy given that painted as inspiring picture of the life of this beloved family member. As the life story unfolded, it was apparent how my friend is now one who inspires others with her generous heart.  She had been mentored since her birth within her family. I came away up lifted and inspired as well.  I got to know someone whom I will never meet.  This person’s life story returns to me and encourages me to seek God’s grace for growth.  Interesting how one life may touch another without ever having met. Oh yes, there are lots of celebrities or “rock stars” that have an impact on our lives.   There may be a big name person who inspires us but there are many others whose quiet lives have the capacity to bring beauty and grace to the world.  ...