Sister Cathy

Gathering of Younger Sisters

Just returned from a wonderful 5 days with 22 of our younger sisters at our retreat center - Villa del Mar in beautiful Santa Cruz. 

Our theme was Pray, Play, and Ponder.  We were able to pray over our recent Chapter Acts on Environment, HIV/Aids, Leadership, Church, and Forms of Commitment.

I returned with renewed commitment and energy to invite others to consider a calling to religious life - to join with us as Sisters and Associates.

Our future is full of HOPE and Love - the Holy Spirit is continually enlivening us for the work of the Gospel - Let us all go forth to tell the Good News that God is in our midst.

Summer Time in Seattle

My trip to Ireland and Scotland in June had lots on wet and overcast weather.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip - beauty of green fields - rolling hills friendly people - blackfaced sheep - hospitality in the Bread and Breakfasts - driving on the other side of the road - narrow streets - old historic castles - famine gravesights - Clancy and Kennedy shops - woolen garments - walking sticks - pubs with Irish singing and dancing  etc. etc.

So good to be back  - Somehow the 3 weeks away has helped me with slowing down - not wearing a watch - taking a Solitude day each week .

Took the Bainbridge ferry last week and met an old classmate from grade school - wonderful connections - she is a teacher and married to a teacher.

  Education continues to be the vocation of choice for so many. Just this week one of our associates living with us decided on a teaching position for the poor instead of a higher paying salary at a large public high school.  She said Mother Marie Rose   said to go to those who have no alternatives for education - the poor and disadvantaged.  May the Mission of Jesus continue in each of our lives. 

"Loneliness is poverty of spirit and solitude is richness of spirit"

Ireland and Scotland

Well friends I am so excited about this trip to Ireland and Scotland - I leave on June 11th and return on July 2nd.  So much to see, explore, reflect upon.  I will be putting up some photos when I return.

I just celebrated my 60th Birthday with camping up on Whidby Island.

  It was a gentle time with good friends, books, poetry and the beautiful surroundings.

  God is so good to us - there is so much to be grateful for - to give God thanks and praise.  Let us rejoice together.

Sylvia in Spokane

I am beginning to realize that my trip to Ireland is coming close.  Peggy Kennedy  and I leave for Dublin on June 11th and will return on July 2nd.

We had an opportunity to drive to Spokane last week to visit our friend, Sr. Sylvia Jone, snjm from Lesotho, Africa.  Sylvia lived with us in Spokane when she went to Gonzaga University to earn a MA in Theology.  I had not seen since the summer of 2001.  She is now in Provincial Leadership in Lesotho.  We had a lot of laughs with old memories and made new ones.  Here is a picture of Sylvia and myself making complete pigs of ourselves after a wonderful lunch at Dockside, Couer d'Alene we couldn't resist a Butterfinger sundae - we had no idea the size - luckily we had 5 of us to finish it off.

Holy Names Academy

Today I spoke at 3 Junior religion classes at Holy Names Academy   here in Seattle.  This is one of our schools - founded in 1880.  It is an amazing school for girls. They are well educated, generous in volunteering, and open to service.  I am hopeful that some of the young women I have been speaking with in many of the high schools and colleges will consider the option of Religious Life.

Vocation Gathering

Saturday I am hostessing a Come and See Gathering for young women considering becoming a Catholic Sister.  The theme will be Come to the Water - Isaiah 55.

We had the event and it was quite fun and uplifting.  We had 8 women join us - Sr. Janet Ryan and Sr. Crystal Clark helped me. Crystal, Hilda, and Jayne shared their vocation stories.

We are hoping that some of these women join us in upcoming Co-Worker gatherings on the last Sunday of each month.

Easter

Happy Easter season everyone - been a long time since I've been on - now my friend Carla is helping again - Praise God - here is a new picture of a butterfly which reminds me of God's transforming love surrounding us at all times. 

(Photo by IrenaS.)

Help with Blogging

Today my friend Carla has helped me learn more about blogging - tips on creating links, re-ordering the blog design, and how to do comments on others blogs.  I am enjoying this amazing tool to communicate with others.  I also have received some help from one of my SNJM sisters, Phyllis.  She is amazing at how she can help me with time for planning upcoming events and talks I am giving.  Speaking of which the Novena of Grace coming up soon.  It starts on March 5th and ends on March 13th.  I will be co-presiding with Fr. Jerry Graham, SJ.

I spoke last Friday at an AA speakers meeting - it was my first time at this group.  We had a number of women from our home group there.  I was uplifted and energized by all the support and encouragement. 

Catholic Sisters Blogs

Recently I found a Catholic Sisters Blog site.  I was thrilled to be listed as one of the sisters who blogs.

Co-Workers

Had our January Co-Worker gathering last night.  It was awesome as we had 5 new women attend.  The topic was Silence as a way to get to what is Essential in our lives.  I presented, had some sharing, and then Hilda led a guided meditation. We all felt we were being led to more stillness to further our contemplative call.