CDC Spiritual Connection April 2025 with Sr. Catherine Patten

Description

Spiritual Connection
with Guest Host Sr. Catherine Patten

Listening:  A Key to Spiritual Decision

Discover how the art of deep listening can transform both personal spiritual growth and community relationships. This session explores listening as a powerful tool for spiritual discernment and meaningful dialogue, revealing how this essential skill helps us navigate decision-making while strengthening our connections with others. Learn practical approaches to enhance your listening practice, creating pathways for deeper spiritual understanding and more effective community engagement. Explore how intentional listening can become a catalyst for both personal wisdom and collective harmony in faith-based settings.

Sr. Catherine M. Patten entered the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary after completing her undergraduate degree at Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY (English, Philosophy and Spanish).  She holds a Master’s degree from New York University (English) and a PhD from New York University (American Civilization).  She also received a honorary doctorates from St. Francis College, Brooklyn and Marymount University, Arlington, VA . 

From 1976-1986 Catherine lived in St. Mark’s House of Prayer, Sag Harbor, NY.  This was a small contemplative community that welcomed people for times of prayer.  

From 1996 to 2007 Catherine was the Coordinator of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative at the National Pastoral Life Center in New York, a project founded in 1996 by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin to promote dialogue within the church.  She also served as Acting Director of the NPLC from 2003-2004 and again in 2007 until she left for Rome.  

Throughout her career, Catherine has served in leadership capacities in the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary: 1973-1976 member of the Provincial Executive Board; 1975, 1980, 1985, 1995, 2007, 2013, 2019—delegate to the General Chapters of the Congregation; 2007-2013—General Councilor, Rome; 2015-2021—Provincial, Eastern American Province.

About Spiritual Connection: On the first Friday of each month, a featured speaker will lead a 30-minute virtual discussion. Spiritual Connection provides CDC members a brief opportunity to get inspired by topics with a faith-based twist - and to decompress from your busy schedules!

The content will be spiritual in nature, but topics are not necessarily about fundraising, although they certainly may be relevant to development. They may include a current event, a devotional piece, tips about health, a passage from a book, etc.—it is really up to the speaker to decide!

Speakers will introduce a topic in which they are passionate, and lead participants through a 10-15-minute presentation or talk, followed by a facilitated discussion on their topic with the entire group.

We hope participants will feel a little sense of renewal after the 30 minutes, fresh in their thoughts, connected to this community, and looking forward to next month’s Spiritual Connection.