Sr. Cathy Buchanan, OP, a First Professed Sister of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, recently moved to Columbus, OH, to begin a new ministry at Cristo Rey High School. She took part in a brief Q&A about the move and the new position.
Q: How are you settling into Columbus? Have you lived here before living in Connecticut? How does day-to-day life differ in the two locations?
A: I'm settling in Columbus very well. I have not lived in Columbus before this, but I have had numerous opportunities to come to Columbus for congregational meetings and Sister gatherings. I'm learning to navigate the city and learning where the important places are, like the best coffee spots (lol - coffee is one of my life requirements, right up there with God!!)
I love my new community already; they have made me feel welcomed and supported! My day-to-day life will look different in that my new community will have different prayer and meal times, so adjustments will be made so I can be present in my new community.
Columbus is definitely a bigger city than New Haven, but coming from New Jersey, I'm very comfortable navigating bigger cities.
I love being close to the Motherhouse and visiting the Sisters there as much as I can. I love being able to volunteer at some of our founded Ministries in the Columbus area, too, such as Shepherd's Corner and the Dominican Learning Center, and visiting our Sisters at Mohun.
Q: You moved for a new role at Cristo Rey High School, a Catholic, college-preparatory high school. What is the role, and why are you excited about it?
A: My new role at Cristo Rey Columbus High School will be as their Director of Campus Ministry. I'm excited to journey with the students as they begin to navigate high school and, as I like to say, "the big people world!"
The students at Cristo Rey seemed very passionate about the school and the opportunity to have internships in local corporate businesses.
Q: When do you officially start the role?
A: I begin my new ministry on July 16, but I will not meet the students until they return to class on August 17. Until then, I will have time to orient myself to the faculty and staff and get to know the culture of the school.
Q: Cristo Rey is well-known for its work-study program. What are your thoughts on this approach, and how will you support students in finding a balance with work and school?
The work-study model of the Cristo Rey schools is a win-win situation for both the students and their corporate partners. The students gain real world/real life experience and get professional skills. The students have four years of trying different internships to try to figure out what they may want to study in college. I'm hoping to support the Cristo Rey students by being a strong presence on campus and a safe listening ear for them to voice their joys and concerns to me.
My favorite part of Cristo Rey schools is that they only open these schools in big cities and serve a diverse, underserved population.
I have worked with high school students in the past, but it's been about 20 years. My time at Albertus Magnus College as their campus minister has prepared me well to serve at Cristo Rey.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would ask for prayers as I discern this next part of my journey into religious life as a Dominican Sister of Peace.
--
To learn more about Sr. Cathy's vocation journey, please click here.