Sinsinawa
Spectrum
A Congregation News Magazine
Blog with Us
by Mary Ann Nelson, OP
One challenge of the Recent Vocations to Religious Life: A Report for the NRVC was to pay attention to “millennials” who, although they are still a relatively small segment of those in religious life, are our future. We were encouraged to focus our energies on developing an Internet and web site presence that’s attractive and articulates a clear picture of religious life and our Congregation. One response was the creation of our blog titled Catherine’s Café.
A blog is a type of web site that can basically be whatever we want it to be. There are millions of blogs, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules. It’s important that a blog be updated easily and frequently and that it attracts our target audience, women between the ages of 20 to 40 years old who are interested in learning about our Dominican life and mission. It was designed to be an inviting café space for them to “sip, savor, and share conversation with Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa” in order to begin a relationship. While Tricia Buxton did the technical work, our Sisters Tina Heltsley, OP; Gail Jagroop, OP; Lystra Long, OP; Sue Ostrowski, OP; Judy Schaefer, OP; Priscilla Torres, OP; and Tanya Williams, OP, created and designed Catherine’s Café.
The blog has different sections. The Daily Grind is a post by one of these Sisters about her daily life: Christina Araujo, OP; Miriam Brown, OP; Patty Caraher, OP; Joeann Daley, OP; Tina Heltsley, OP; Ann Henkel, OP; Lystra Long, OP; Marie Lucek, OP; Mary McNulty, OP; Colleen Nolan, OP; Sue Ostrowski, OP; Ruth Poochigian, OP; Liz Sully, OP; Priscilla Torres, OP; Tanya Williams, OP; or K C Young, OP. These posts are written in a personal voice as if you were having a conversation with them over coffee. Through our reflections, women learn more about our life in community and ministry. Since a blog is to be interactive, there is an opportunity for comments on the post by our audience. In addition, Expresso Yourself provides a place to ask questions or make comments. This is an opportunity to develop a connection, and young people love to connect technologically.
And there is more. Perks: The Blessings of Religious Life gives a brief, 50-word reflection on the blessings of our life. Several of you have sent in Perks, and I can always use more. What’s Perking provides a space to let young women know of opportunities to meet us personally. Links enable a woman to easily connect to our Sinsinawa web site, our Twitter and Facebook pages, and to other sites that may be helpful in her vocation discernment.
A Catherine blog would not be complete without a Contemplation Corner. Each week a new reflective quote is added from Catherine and other mystics. On the lighter side, the weekly poll is an opportunity to vote on interesting topics. We have been reminded many times by our youngest members that we can’t make the blog too heavy. Knowing that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” there are pictures (which change weekly) that also reveal a lot about us.
Last fall we promoted a “culture of vocation” in the Congregation inviting everyone (leadership, membership, Associates), not just those of us in initial membership ministry, to assume a sense of responsibility for vocation promotion. We are eager to have members involved, supporting vocation efforts, and enthusiastic about welcoming those who enter our Congregation. Thanks to all of you who have taken up the invitation, moving out of your comfort zone, to help with the blog. We’ve taken one giant step in building a “culture of vocation.” Continue to let others know about Catherine’s Café by sharing this address: catherinescafe.blogspot.com.