Summer 2007, Volume 50, Number 2

UPDATE FROM THE ASSOCIATE OFFICE
by Karla Berns, PBVM

Sharing Discipleship: Associates and Sisters Gather

A renewal day for Midwest associates and sisters at Sinsinawa Mound Center in Sinsinawa, WI, gathered 242 participants in a “journey” to Emmaus and back to Jerusalem. Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF, directed the day long workshop on “Living the Commitment” and emphasized the importance of the “journey” in each of our lives. She defined associate and religious as companions for each other on the journey of discipleship, companions in greeting the “stranger” on the road.

“It is only when we share our bread with the ‘stranger’ among us that we can recognize Christ among us,” said Sister Nancy. “The ‘fire’ of realizing this in our hearts is what enables us to witness to our faith,” she added. “How can our associate programs enflesh the Emmaus story? What is it about the associate program that ‘fills your cup,’ makes your heart burn within you, gives you joy and delight in being a Christian witness?” The purpose of association, she said, is companioning one another in discipleship, the discipleship that puts everything at risk.

“Associate programs must help us all live radical gospel lives; must help us journey away from the comfortable to bear witness to the love of Christ; must help us journey back to the dangerous places, to do what is necessary to bring Christian values to our world,” she said. “The world really needs radical Christian disciples,” said Sister Nancy. “This is the reason for associate programs. They are not for ourselves; they are for the reign of God. Anything less is not a good enough reason.”

Small breakout sessions had the participants examining different aspects of the associate relationship, that included trends, shared ministry, building relationships, spirituality and peace and justice issues.

The Midwest Gathering of Vowed Religious and Associates was sponsored by: Associates of Iowa Cistercians; Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids, IA; Franciscan Sisters, Clinton, IA; Dominican Sisters, Sinsinawa, WI; Sisters of Humility, Davenport, IA; Sisters of Charity, BVM, Franciscan Sisters, and Sisters of the Presentation, all from Dubuque, IA.

Pictured above are Presentation sisters and associates who attended the renewal day.

Associate Couple Celebrates Anniversary

On June 22, 2007, Presentation Associates Gino and Pat Pacetti, from Oak Lawn, IL, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Mount Loretto with their family and Presentation friends. They renewed their vows at a 4:50 p.m. Mass followed by dinner. The Pacetti’s treated sisters and associates to a pizza party the night before.

Pictured are Gino and Pat Pacetti with their children.

Garage Sale Nets $9317.25 for Presentation Missions

Top to Bottom: L to R:
Associates Carol Rausch and Mags Young visit with Associate Co-Director Karla Berns; Tables overflowing with clothes, household items, crafts, toys and much more welcomed each visitor; Associate Darla Budden with her niece, Abby, solicited garage salers to stop and check out the sale; Sister Barbara Rastatter with two co-workers from St. James Food Pantry in Chicago visit Mount Loretto during the sale.