Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

Each morning as I prepare for the day I look in my closet and ask, “What shall I wear today?” The answer depends on different factors, e.g., the weather, my schedule, where I’ll be, how I feel, etc., etc. The outfit chosen reflects a number of mostly inconsequential factors, yet it is an important part of my day. In fact, what I am asking is, “Who am I today?’ or “What is my purpose?” Clothes are a significant aspect, a very personal aspect of ourselves. Clothes help to create the “persona” that I reflect to the world – my message. On the other hand, we could dig deeper and look at the persona within and ask what that reflects. Saint Paul says in his Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, “You were taught to…clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” In other words, we are invited to “put on Christ” and actually BE the persona, the image of God Incarnate, reflecting mercy, generosity, forgiveness and hope. What wil...

Lately, the concept of   Hospitality   has been in the forefront of my days.     Even the Scriptural readings for this past Sunday have focused on offering hospitality – Abraham and Sarah greeting and providing a meal for travelers outside their tent, Martha and Mary providing food & beverages and a listening ear when Jesus came to enjoy their company.     I recently read a novel called  Martha  based upon the Mary, Martha, and Lazarus stories in the Gospel. Throughout the story, gracious hospitality was extended to guests who appeared at their gate.     My sisters and a cousin came to visit the home where I live last weekend.  In that case, the hospitality was reciprocal.  Since I am still in full-time ministry and they are retired from full-time employment, they brought the first evening’s supper and ideas of “adventures” they’d like to explore during the weekend.  I provided beds, showers, a...

How do you define what or who is most important to you?  Where does your energy go?  What would you grab if you had to run out of a burning building? There are so many ways to ask each of us what really matters.  For Dominicans, our mission to share with others the fruits of our contemplation centers our lives around the life of Christ.  We name mercy, love, peace, and justice as our main concerns.  Prayer, study, community, and preaching make up the rhythm of our days and our nights.  We work to free ourselves, our Congregation, and our world from racism.  We join with others to find ways to live sustainably. Gun violence, the protection of our planet, being concerned for the equity and inclusion of all of God’s children, the plight of migrant refugees and immigrants searching for ways to feed their families, fair voting, and making sure that all those who have been marginalized can tell that we are with them….these ...

Contemplative kayaking along the edges affords me the opportunity to become more deeply aware of the many expressions of life. The amazing rocks and roots systems of gnarled fallen trees that bridge themselves between land and water and sprout all kinds  of new growth moss, grass, and plantings. They become warm places for turtles to climb on and soak up the sun. They become places for otters to play. Badgers can pull away small bits of dried twigs to build their dens. Herons stand sentinel in the cattails and mother ducks keep watchful eyes on their exuberant young chicks. Native plants flower around the edges, loons nest and eagles perch on the tops of the tall living trees and swoop down to fish.  We are so  blessed to be part of this amazing abundance of life expressing itself at this moment in time. Where do I belong in this tapestry of life? For  certainly I am an integral part. How do I honor all life? How do I honor all living beings? Contribute to the healin...

The Community's Cup is overflowing with Divine Cosmic Presence! You and I, along with all life, are privileged to sit and sip together around its rim.   Hand-picked leaves of compassionate love, forgiveness and inclusion have been seeped together to create this brew.   Really smell life's aromas.   Feel their textures. Taste their flavors. See similarities and differences in this ONE Cosmic Cup of Tea.   Eighty-five of us from twelve different countries (Nigeria, Spain, Philippines, Canada, Jamaica, Kenya, USA, Iraq, Lebanon, Belgium, England, Australia) attended an English boarding school, in Southern England. We slept, played, prayed, talked and ate together.   When Tea Time came around, each of us excitedly brought out our prized treat packages received from home to share at table.   As Sinsinawa Dominicans I believe we live on the rim of this Cosmic Cup, looking outward and looking inward. Grounded in Contemplative Wholeness. I personally imagine the Co...

Community life (living together as sisters) has always been a high point of my vocation. The rhythm of a community can give, or stifle life in all forms of communal living, families, roommates, etc.     Time dedicated for prayer, meals, study, and play are essential components in a religious community. The morning hours, in all the communities I have lived, are quiet times. There is always movement about the house, but silence provided an opportunity for private prayer.  Time to sit in silence with scripture and in God’s presence was my “get right” opportunity to start my day.   In community living there is designated time for communal prayer and meals, and opportunity to talk about your day. There was time after the evening meal to play games (Hand and Foot was my favorite card game), watch TV, read a book, grade papers, or visit with one or two sisters. Usually between 9-10 pm there was silence, another opportunity for private prayer. The rhythm of these communitie...

On Memorial Day weekend this year hundreds of people     came to Sinsinawa Mound.     It was the first time for some, and home coming for many. The Chapel was filled with people, song and light reflected from richly colored windows.   People came from as far away as Washington, DC and Portland, Oregon to witness perpetual vows of Christin Tomy and Nicole Reich. It would take all the electronic space in the world to write all the wonders of the day, but best was being able to personally greet these two graceful women who had begun to discern a lifetime commitment to being Dominicans nine years ago. You might watch the ceremony yourself at  https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sinsinawa/portal.htm?eventId=690739&streamType=video Then pause and ask, “what stands out for me”? I especially love this question they were asked -- Through apostolic poverty, do you choose freely to live in Gospel simplicity and to be generous with the gifts of life, recognizing you...