Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

From the time I was young, I’ve wondered why I exist; why I am me and not a tomato? Always a tomato, for some reason. From October 28, 2023 to January 26, 2024, three women so instrumental in my life, such dear friends and mentors, crossed over into the fullness of Eternal Light and Love. The homegoing of Dorothy Victor, Jeri Cashman and Ann Willits leave a huge void, yet leave me pondering again, with gratitude, the miracle of our connection. Had certain dominos not fallen in my life, had I not attended a “Come and See” event called Dubuque’s Got Sisters, I would probably never have met the Dominicans, these three dear Sisters, or any of the many, many people who have entered my life – whether briefly or long-term. I may never have known they existed. Friends, spiritual guides, co-workers, Dominican Sisters and Brothers, and so many others who have become part of my life are the product of Grace. Think about all the connections in your own life, whether you are a vowed religious, a po...

JOYFUL SOROR At weekly scripture study, members shared about a young woman consecrating her life to God.  A wedding gown and a reception after were symbols of her being a Bride of Christ. Those are not symbols from the day I made the vow of obedience as a Dominican of Sinsinawa. I do not wear a wedding ring.  Jesus is my brother .  What is a symbol for my vocation?   I learn to know many sisters and brothers—   *children, wanting to know creator God,   *antiracists, learning to undo systemic racism   * exincarcerated people organizing for a more human prison system Once a neighbor asked me to drive her to find her husband where they had lived under the bridge .  What a privilege to be sister to her! A song about St Dominic, “Joyful Friar”, is symbolic of my vocation. Joyful Friar, tolerant master Grace filled preacher, Gospel man of prayer. To be a joyful sister, and grace filled preacher is my call. Here’s a version of “Jo...

  Our little farmhouse in Minnesota had a brick fireplace in the living room and on Sundays we’d have a fire going all day during the winter months.  I remember how carefully my dad would first rumple up newspaper to put under the grate, then arrange the dry kindling in a little triangle shape, and then eventually larger logs on top.  We would watch it grow from a little spark to the crackling flames of the kindling and igniting logs. To keep the house warm, that fire had to constantly be fed. In his letter to Timothy, St. Paul urges his young disciple to “fan into a flame” the gift that God had given him.  That got me thinking about the people and events, the words of encouragement, the phone call or e-mail, that act as the match, the paper, the kindling, and even the logs that build me up, that “fan the flame” of any gift I have been given, that guide me so I do not keep it to myself, or hide it under a bushel basket, or even deny I have a gift at all.  Not on...

The last time I wrote for this blog I mentioned that those of us who serve in our congregational offices were preparing to move to temporary office spaces until the new office spaces in the Stone building are renovated.  During this January of 2024, we are settling in, though I still find myself looking for some files and supplies.  “Where did I put that?” is a question I ask myself frequently.  It’s a good thing we’re in these changing times together.    The Leadership Council met in the “new” temporary conference room for the first time last week; and since there is no longer a staffed kitchen at the Mound, we provided different lunch options for them.  No one went hungry.  You are most likely thinking, “My goodness, I can’t imagine being at the Mound without meals being prepared in the kitchen and served in the dining room.”  What a change! This month also brought the first anniversary of my brother’s death.  I am so touched by Sisters’ re...

January 18, 2024 I am keenly aware that at this very moment, on the other side of the world in the Middle East, extreme suffering is raining down indiscriminately on the human family and on the earth - hatred, revenge, bloodshed, disregard for life, destruction of all that defines safety and home, hardened hearts, and the certainty that peace is impossible and the future holds no hope for reconciliation. The reading from Isaiah for tomorrow’s liturgy declares clearly which side God is on. On this mountain God will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines…. On this mountain God will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations. God will destroy death forever and will wipe away the tears from every face…. (Isaiah 25) It is this God to whom both the Israelis and Palestinians cry out. May God and all who love God destroy the veil over us and the web that prevents us from knowing and loving each other. May God and all who love God wipe...

Okay, I’ve finally learned to put my car/home/office keys in the SAME place when I get home.  But I still haven’t learned to remember where I left my glasses or my latest crossword puzzle or the flyer about a concert I now think I missed or that needed phone number I jotted down on a piece of paper – and I have a LOT of pieces of paper sitting around.  Yes, I am one of those people.  But that litany of “forgets” got me thinking about the important things I forget about until I really need them – like prayer, quiet time, reading something challenging instead of easy, actually calling my elderly cousin instead of saying, “I should really call Ruth,” and never doing it, working through a situation instead of avoiding it.   I challenge myself this week – and you – to take action, one small action, to overcome this very human weakness of losing, forgetting, neglecting something that we know is really important.  Is this easy?  Is there a shortcut I can take?...

  Paradox: A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which, when investigated, may prove to be well founded or true. –The Oxford Dictionary   On January 2, 2023 I lived with paradox. My youngest brother, Dan, died and was born into new life. His death is a blessing and at the same time it is a great sorrow. Have you experienced this mystery of paradox in your life? Can you embrace opposites in feelings, thoughts, relationships, in life itself?   Over the years I’ve been intrigued by the reality of holding opposites at the same time. Dwelling in the mystery of paradox is transformative. I have learned by living in the mess of unknowing I discover the gift of wisdom by going through the messiness, arriving with new insights for living.   In the gospel parables Jesus often uses paradoxes. “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.”  “To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what s/he has will be taken away...