After almost ten years of writing blogs for the Dominican Sisters of Peace Vocations ministry, I am writing my last blog for this ministry today. I hope to continue my “blog ministry” by writing blogs instead as an Associate for the Associate Blogs webpage.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared the fruits of my contemplation about my life and experiences as a laywoman in the more than 100 blogs I’ve written. I am also grateful for the positive comments readers have expressed, indicating the meaningfulness, insights, and blessings they gained in reflecting on these Spirit-guided blogs.
Our Vocation blogs will continue to be written by Sisters who can share with discerners and other readers their vocation stories and thoughts on discernment, the Dominican charism, and the Dominican pillars of prayer, community, ministry, and study. I will continue to coordinate our Vocation blog postings and our two Vocation Ministers, Sr. June Fitzgerald, OP and Sr. Mai-dung Nguyen, OP will continue to share the fruits of their contemplation with you. They will be joined by a group of other Sisters to offer more diversity and perspectives on vocation-related topics.
Writing has always been a life-giving gift for me, a sacred time and space for connecting with myself, listening to what unfolds in the quiet space needed to write, and discovering surprises and clarity of meaning that come from this reflective time. Writing is such a revelatory experience of bringing to life what is often hidden, letting words take flight to wherever and however they are meant to land, and being surprised and delighted by the insights and understandings that emerge from being open to what comes from beyond one’s self.
Perhaps you are also in a time of transition, being called to let go and let something new evolve or emerge.
Maybe God is calling you to explore a call to religious life as a Sister. Join us for a Zoom and See Discernment Retreat, February 7-9, 2025, to learn what discernment is about, pray with other women who are discerning, meet some of our sisters, hear about religious life today, have some fun, and ask your questions about religious life.
For more information, click here to visit our webpage.
May the Spirit of God guide you as you open yourself to new possibilities, insights, and discoveries and may these words on transition from Sister Maxine Shonk, OP, speak to you:
May the God of TRANSITION be with you,
inviting you to the new and the unknown
where God waits to spring life in you.
May your willingness to be changed
bring you ever nearer to the constancy of God,
the one who was and is and will forever be your God.
May your openness draw others to see God in their own transitions.
May the God of TRANSITIONS bless you.
As we await the celebration of Christ’s birth on Christmas Day, may we find hope in the Prince of Peace.
Do so enjoy your blogs. Hope you will continue in some capacity
May the God of Transitions bless you, Mary Ellen!
Now all Associates will benefit from your blogs and we look forward to them.
Your blogs have always been a delight gift to me.
Thank you so much. You are a blessed woman.
Blessings at this holy season.
Sr. Kathleen
St. Catharine Motherhouse
I resonated with your reflections on discovering what you really believe as you stare at an empty screen and start typing. That is such a sacred process. Thanks for sharing your wisdom these many months.