THE HISTORY  |  Presentation Association

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Constitution of the Associate Partnership

Scripture tells us that ALL people are called by God to give of their time, gifts and talents in service. The invitation to leadership within the church was extended in Biblical times to people from all walks of life: tax collectors, widows, laborers, fisher people.

Seeds of the associate movement were firmly planted during Vatican II when religious communities were asked to return to their roots, to study foundresses/founders of their congregations, to rediscover the spirit and mission that marked their community beginnings.

At that time, our Dubuque Presentation community re-examined the work of our foundress, Nano Nagle, in her commitment to education and serving the poor. We articulate our mission today as:

We, the Sisters of the Presentation, are called to evangelize, offering hope and love to a broken world by incarnating the hospitality of God, confronting injustice, and working for peace.

Vatican II also extended an invitation to laity, asking for increased desire on the part of the laity for deeper spiritual involvement and increased participation in church activities.

This movement grew world?wide. Because of the priest shortage in the developing countries, it took the form of small base communities, which promoted community and faith sharing.

By the early 1970's in the United States, religious congregations responded by exploring new forms of participation. Congregations began inviting women and men to utilize their resources, leadership skills, gifts and talents, their prayer - to minister within the church. Many, many women and men committed themselves to sharing prayer, community and ministry - seeking meaning within their own lives - and enhancing the LIFE and mission of many religious congregations.

Today associates number over 25,000 in the U.S., a growth of almost 11,000 since 1995 when the last survey was done. Most of these are associated with women religious communities, however, the trend is quickly extending to men’s communities as well.

This explosive growth of associate programs is attributed to a hunger in many people, religious and laity, to deepen their spirituality, experience faith community, and to share in the life and ministry of the church.

The evolution of the Dubuque Sisters of the Presentation Associate Partnership followed these steps:

l985 – The Sisters of the Presentation voted and approved the concept and
study of an Associate Program

l989 – The implementation of an Associate Program was approved.

l998 – The Associate Process of the Sisters of the Presentation began.

2007 – The Presentation Associate Process was renamed the Sisters of the
Presentation Associate Partnership.

Throughout the years of study, prayer, and sharing, the core of our partnership is the mutual relationship between the dedicated and committed associates and sisters.

This Dubuque Sisters of the Presentation Associate Partnership is about celebrating the mutual relationship and commitment to spread the Gospel and foster the charism of Nano Nagle.

(Revised 7/07)

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