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a word from your

Editors

In this issue:
Year of Consecrated Life
A reflection for associates on
the Year of Consecrated LIfe

Living Into Our Charism

Articles from associates about
living out their charisms

Connecting
Accounts of associates coming
together to learn and share

Upcoming Events
Join other associates in locations
throughout the country

3-5

6-8

The North American Conference of

Associates and Religious (NACAR)
is a membership organization
that acts as a catalyst to serve,
empower and promote the
associate-religious relationship.

On the California coast, fall comes in gently. The warm days of summer
succumb to the cloudy mornings that send teasers of rain; gardens once
overflowing with tomatoes, string beans and serrano peppers are drying up,
and roses are sharing fewer of their
colorful flowers. The variety of clues
indicates that fall will soon become
winter.
In this issue of The Associate there
are a variety of articles and teasers
pointing to a future not yet here
but just around the corner. We read
about associates traveling to Belize
and Haiti to bring comfort and
solace to those in need. Butterflies
spread their wings in remembrance
of loved ones, and the money raised
from that endeavor assists the
mission of the Sisters. Finally, we
are encouraged by Marci Madary to enter into the Year of Consecrated Life,
beginning this Advent, to increase our awareness of the leadership qualities of
our associates as they continue the process of enhancing and expanding their
leadership roles in their associate communities.
NACAR has also just published its annual report (click here to access the
report). As always, we welcome your comments to the articles in this months
The Associate, especially on the Year of Consecrated Life and Associate
Leadership and on the annual report.
Sister Elizabeth Avalos, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Year of Consecrated Life

and Associate Leadership

Associate Dan Abben, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

October 2014 marks the beginning of the Year of Consecrated life. According
to Cardinal Joo Braz De Avis, the Prefect for the Congregation for Institutes of
Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the three primary goals for this special
year are to gratefully remember the recent past, embrace the future with hope, and live in
the present with passion.
As associates, we appreciate these goals. We know that lay men and women have been
informally partnering with women and men religious for generations. In recent years,
this movement has become more organized. Today, women and men all over the world
formally associate with religious congregations and embody their charisms in myriad
ways. We believe that NACAR can embrace the future by empowering our vowed
religious and associates to continuein light of the signs of the timesthe work begun
by the founders of our communities.
During the Year of Consecrated Life, we hope to initiate discussion among our readers
about this topic. Specifically, we hope to engage people in a discussion of leadership
for changing times. To facilitate this discussion, we plan to offer a series of articles on
leadership skills and abilities, ways of organizing and being in relationship with one
another, and ways of being faithful to our charisms in the modern world, among other
topics. To further the conversation, each article will include a few questions for reflection
and discussion. We invite people to participate in the discussion both at the local level
and with other NACAR members. We specifically hope that people will participate in
the discussion by sharing their reflections with us. You can send them by email to info@
nacar.org or post them on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/NACAR96.
To begin the discussion, we encourage you to reflect on the qualities, characteristics,
skills and abilities that will be necessary of our future leaders. What gifts and talents
will the future leaders of the associate movement need to have in order to negotiate the
possibilities of our ever-unfolding future?

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Tentative schedule
Nov. 29, 2014
Opening Prayer Vigil
Nov. 30, 2014
Opening Mass with
Pope Francis
Jan. 22-24, 2015
Meeting of Catholic
consecrated men and women
and consecrated religious from
other Christian traditions
Second week of April 2015
Conference on religious
formation around the world
Sept. 23-26, 2015
Event for young men and
women in discernment
Dec. 18-21, 2015
Separate meetings for members
of monastic orders and of
secular institutes
Jan. 28 - Feb. 1, 2016
Theological symposium on
religious life
Feb. 2, 2016
Closing Mass with Pope Francis
from NRVC website

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Charism

Mother Drum

Associate Anita Davidson, Dominican Sisters of Peace

Drums have long been used to call people together in

the military, in African tribes, in Native American culture,
in high school and college pep bands. There is something
primal about the beating of a drum. It is symbolic of the
heartbeat of the earth. It unifies in a way that nothing
else can. It keeps marchers, dancers and cheering fans
in time with one another and brings along all those who
hear it. Studies have shown that our bodies will begin to
synchronize with the rhythm of a drum. So when you hear
a drumbeat, your heart actually begins to beat in time with
it. When you hear music, very often youll find yourself
tapping your foot, drumming your fingers, or clapping.
When youre given the opportunity to play a rhythmic
instrument, even if youve never played it before, you
will, as long as you can hear it, instinctively synchronize to
the beat of the mother drum, that steady, rhythmic sound.
This phenomenon is called entrainment. The rhythm you
choose to play may be different from the mother drum,
but it will be in the same tempo. If the mother drum
speeds up or slows down, so will you. And so will your
heart!
That mother drum beat is your charism ... the steady,
dependable foundation of your religious congregation.
Do you remember when you first heard the mother drum
of your religious order? Perhaps it was just one of many
drumbeats in your awareness ... a Mercy drum might
have been playing ... and a Notre Dame drum ... and a
Dominican drum ... but it was the drum of your religious
congregation that really got your attention. Something
about that charism touched a place deep inside of you.
Parker Palmer says this: I understand vocation ... not
as a goal to be achieved but as a gift to be received.
Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward
some prize just beyond my reach, but accepting the
treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does
not come from a voice out there calling me to become
something I am not. It comes from a voice in here calling
me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original
selfhood given me at birth by God (Let Your Life Speak).
Something about the charism of your congregation
expressed the person you were born to be. What was it?

I remember clearly the moment I became aware that I was

drawn into the Dominican mother drum beat. I had been
in the discernment process for prospective associates
for a few months. When I started, I wasnt sure what the
difference was between one order and another. But this
particular evening, one of the sisters spoke and I was
enveloped in the warm, comforting sense of being home.
I said to her, Now I know that Ive been Dominican
all my life I just didnt know what to call it! At age
44 I had finally found my true spiritual tribe and in
the 13 years since that deep sense of belonging has only
grown deeper. I was born a contemplative preacher and
this group of vowed religious women shared and even
celebrated that same identity!
We change as we grow and different things become
important to us. The mother drum beat remains
constant, but our rhythm or our instrument might change.
Read your congregations mission/vision statement
or Chapter commitments again. What word or phrase
shimmers for you now? Is it the same as what first drew
you to your congregation?
Each of us lives out the charism of our congregations
in different ways, just as the instruments and rhythms
are different responses to the same drumbeat. Each
instrument sounds differently, the rhythm varies, but the
charism the mother drum holds us together, calls us back
to the foundation. We are synchronized with it as we live
out that charism in our everyday lives in myriad ways that
expand and enrich not only our congregations, but all of
Gods people and Gods creation.
How do we hear and recognize Gods call? How do we
sort out the mother drum sound from all the other noise that
vies for our attention? For me its a visceral thing. When
I become aware of my mother drum beat, my whole body
knows. I cant help but respond. As Frederick Buechner
said, The place God calls you to is the place where your
deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet (Wishful
Thinking).
Where is that for YOU? Thats where youll be taking
your charism next. What kind of a new sound, or a new
rhythm might you be making? The mother drum is calling
you ... how will you respond?

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Belize

My Experience in
Associate Marcie Heil, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

In this frozen February in Kentucky, Im looking at the

two trunks of my young river birch bent to the ground
with ice and snow and find it hard to believe that earlier
this year I was in the 80 degree weather of Belize City,
Belize. Blessedly there remains a very warm spot in my
heart when thinking of my recent trip to the parish of St.
Martin de Porres. As chairperson of the parish twinning
committee at Good Shepherd Parish in Frankfort, Ky.,
I had worked for over a year to plan this trip with the
leadership of Assisting Better Living Everywhere Inc.
(ABLE), and with funds provided by the people of Good
Shepherd. Jesuit Father Matt Ruhl, pastor of St. Martins,
invited us to volunteer at his parish and school. Thirteen
people from Kentucky, Ohio and Texas volunteered.
We met for the first time at a guest house in downtown
Belize City. We were a diverse group of men and women
from different states and with different faith backgrounds.
Our ages ran from 17 to 70 and our occupations extended
from retired physician to high school junior. Dr. Ed Todd,
president of ABLE Inc., organized our work projects.

Monday afternoon we started painting the interior of

the nursery, and a group worked in the school library
cataloguing the two suitcases of new books we had
brought. Before the end of the week we had painted the
nursery inside and out, the exterior of one of the school
buildings and the boys restroom. Repairs were made in
the computer lab, library, and preschool, and we built
flip chart stands for every classroom and a form for a
concrete step. Dirt and sand were spread into areas that
were swampy next to the school. Father Matt also received
funds to complete this project in other campus locations.
The work hours were interspersed with lots of people
time. We met Angie, church office manager, who kept us
in good humor. The principal, Ms. Holland, was gracious
enough to take time to consult about new shelving in the
library and to request supplies for her teachers. Sisters
Chris and Higinia came to pick up supplies and visited us
at work sites. Gina Gambianchi, a Jesuit volunteer, helped
us to set up a Skype video call between 12 St. Martins
students and three classes of Good Shepherd students in
Kentucky. All week the students and parishioners touched
us with their smiles and friendliness.

It rained most of Sunday night, and we awoke to a watery

world on Monday. The air conditioner was not effective
in keeping the moisture at bay, and the plumbing was not
quite adequate. Our group steadfastly faced this adversity
without complaint! Our stay at the guesthouse was
affordable and hospitable.

Each day our driver, Lennox, took a different route to

and from the parish and around the city. By Friday we had
seen a variety of neighborhoods. In addition, we visited St.
Johns Anglican Cathedral, the Belize museum, Mr. Frank
Lizamas art studio, a book store and souvenir shop.

Monday was spent sorting donated supplies that we had

brought: multivitamins, medical supplies for Sisters Chris
and Higinia s mission, school supplies, toothpaste and
toothbrushes, toys, garden tools, paint supplies, and socks
and baby supplies. The rest we bought in Belize.

Our parting breakfast was bittersweet, full of laughter

and some sadness. Together for the last time, we said our
prayer just as if we were headed to St. Martins for the day,
but instead we were carrying St. Martin de Porres home
with us in memories of friends, young and old, and a
beautiful, culture-rich country.

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Bringing Safe

Waterto Haiti

Associate Steve Schmitt, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

My recent trip to Layaye, Haiti, was marked by joyful

successes, wonderful learning experiences and few
disappointments.
Our primary objective is to empower the local people
to provide safe drinking water to every household in
the parish. Water for all uses comes from three primary
sources: the river that flows through the valley of this
mountainous area, springs and two wells that were
hand-dug to a depth of 45 feet and 50 feet respectively.
Because there is neither a treated water supply, a municipal
distribution system nor a sanitary waste treatment system
throughout most of Haiti, safe drinking water is a big
concern and the primary purpose of our work in the
village.
Layaye is a village in the central plateau of Haiti, about 10
miles southwest of Hinchey. Father P. Camy is the pastor
and within his parish there are many outlying chapels in
neighboring villages, some as far away as an eight-hour
walk. My goal on this trip was to bring the village tools
and knowledge to provide clean, safe drinking water and

basic sanitation. Rather than the filter bucket systems that

cost about $50 each, require replacement parts and use
chlorine, I brought them a method called a biosand filter.
There are no moving parts, and the cost is about $20. It is
a permanent filter that will provide a family with a lifetime
of clean, safe drinking water.
I taught three water technicians that live in the community
how to build the filters. It requires the use of a steel
mold to form the concrete filter housing. My friend Chip
Taylor, Memphis, Tenn., and I built the mold, and it was
transported to Layaye in June.
During my time in Haiti, I worked most closely with Rene,
one of the technicians. It was so rewarding to see him take
ownership of the mold and all the tools that go with it. I
am very confident that when our ministry sends another
group of volunteers in March they will find that the mold
and tools will have been well-cared-for and in use.
NOTE: The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth ministry fund
approved a grant Steve wrote to support the biosand filter
for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Haiti
Ministry for one year.

Steve, along with his group of

volunteers in Layaye, Haiti.

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ButterflyEffect

Associates Carolyn Meyer and Jane Schaefer, Oldenburg Franciscans

On June 21, 2014, the Oldenburg Franciscan Associates

hosted A Day to Remember butterfly release fundraiser
to help support the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis.
The event began with a prayer service that featured the
release of over 450 painted lady butterflies in honor or
in memory of the people named throughout the prayer
service.
Ben Davenport, Franklin, Ind., whose wife, Alice, passed
away in October 2013, explained It was something I had
never experienced before, it was very touching and very
impressive. Alice would have loved this.
The associate board was seeking an opportunity to raise
money to help support the mission of the Sisters of St.
Francis, when Betsy Savare, board chairperson, suggested
a butterfly release. After hearing about a butterfly release
in New Jersey, Betsy researched the possibilities of hosting
a release on the campus of the Sisters of St. Francis,
Oldenburg.

An estimated 150 people gathered on the beautiful, sunny

grounds of the Oldenburg Franciscan Center for the
celebratory day. Guests were treated to a cookie and punch
social following the event. The event was fully funded
through the financial support of Weigel Funeral Home,
Batesville, Ind., and several anonymous donors.
The butterfly release was an absolutely marvelous day!
People came to me afterwards and said they enjoyed it
immensely and thanked the associates for hosting the
event. God provided us with a perfect day. Thank you
Lord! said Janet Sturwold, an associate from St. Peters,
Ind.
Carolyn Meyer and Jane Schaefer, assoicate co-directors,
believe that the overwhelming participation and support
of this memorial reinforce the importance of recognizing
the sacred in our lives. Sister Margie Niemer shared,
When the butterflies were released, it seemed like a
holy moment. I was seated next to a woman who had
contributed in honor of her deceased husband. At the
release, she commented that it was so satisfying to hear his
name spoken aloud and to watch the surge of life come
from the butterfly boxes.

Over 450 butterflies were released in memory or in honor of

friends and family during the day of remembrance.

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BACAR

Charism Lived Into the Future by Associates

Associate Michelle Hogan, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, director of the Ignation Institute at Santa Cruz

Universrity, was the featured speaker at the October BACAR Conference in
Belmont, Calif.
Theresa used the rhizome as a symbol of association. It is the stem of a plant
that stores starches, proteins, and other nutrients and sends out shoots
and roots. If it is separated into pieces, each piece may be able to give
rise to a new plant. Every shoot and root, she said, contributes to the
greater whole. She asked participants to ponder what being a part of a
communitys rhizome might mean for both associates and religious.
She also talked about charism and the difficulty in defining it. Charism
is a work of grace, a gift of grace, but it is also generative. The word
charism is used only 17 times in a limited sense in the Bible, but Lumen
Gentium (1964) was the first document to define charism as given to
the whole church, not just to religious communities.
Theresa said that the vital question is not who founded us? but
who have we become by the grace of God? Charisms arent just
deposits of our founders, but, more importantly, they are an ongoing
gift to each member of the community, to each human being.
There is still tension between the hierarchical model of charism and the people
of God model, but Vatican II says we are all called to exercise our vocation in
the church and in the world (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity).

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Elizabeth Avalos and Dee Myers at the
BACAR conference.

Dependency still inhibits the development of an adult lay spirituality.

For me, the most important point in the presentation was the
reminder that the associate life form is a critical witness of the way
to adult spirituality. How can associate witness serve as a leaven for
the whole church? She reminded us that there is a particular love that
God has for each human being, and there is a particular way that we
are each called by God. Some of the tensions in religious communities
about association may be rooted in belief that charismatic foundation
belongs to the religious life form. But the lay associate movement is a
prophetic model for an adult lay spirituality.
Theresa described two models of charismatic relationship, contingent
dependency and distinctive mutuality. NACAR is looking at the latter
in terms of membership, relationship, leadership accountability and
resources. These seem to be the essential elements for associate life.
The challenge for all of us is deepening understanding of what is an adult
spirituality.

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Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus Associates

Eileen Ramos and Sabrina Gotuaco enjoy
the BACAR conference.

page 7

on sustainability and autonomy. Jeanne, who has

an extensive background in human resources and
organizational development, suggested situations which
On October 25, 2014, the Midwest Kindred Spirits
could validly bring current associate structures and
sponsored Called to Carry the Charism: Developing
Associate Leadership. The day included the opportunity procedures into question. She also led participants to
contemplate the possibilities for new ideas and models
for quiet reflection and sharing of wisdom among and
for self-organization that may help carry the charism of
within congregations. Over 250 associates and sisters
our congregations into the future.
from 25 congregations, with attendees from as far away
as New Jersey and Mexico City, attended. The event was The afternoon was structured into breakout sessions
held at the Siena Center, Racine, Wisc., home of the
called circles of passion. A dozen topics were chosen
Racine Dominicans.
as discussion points around which associates and
Associate Carrie Hankes,
Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

After introductions were made and prayer was offered,

Marci Madary, an affiliation co-minister with the
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of La Crosse,
Wisc., and an adjunct professor at Viterbo University
in La Crosse, gave a lively and interesting presentation
regarding mission statements. She asked audience
members to reflect on whether or not their current
mission statement provides guidance and direction as
they go forth as a committed people in service to God
and all of Gods creation. Is their mission sustainable
in these times of uncertainty and the changing face
of religious life? Marci concluded her presentation by
emphasizing the importance of both the process and the
essence of having a mission statement that is sustainable
and one which animates a sense of the purpose and
direction of a group.
Jeanne Connolly, director of covenant members
(associates), Franciscan Sisters of Wheaton, Ill.,
and NACAR vice president, followed with a
thought-provoking and content-rich presentation

sisters could share their burning questions and their

greatest desires. The resulting discussions were rich with
stories, ideas, stumblings and victories. Many of these
discussions will quite possibly emerge as something
different in another group in the future.
Part of the amazing richness of this day of coming
together happened incidentally: in the mornings
informal processing discussions, in the hallways, at
breaks and over lunch. The sharing of stories of
worries, shortfalls, transitions, formulas and victories
went on in all corners. The richness of inquiry
and expertise led to asking questions, creating new
terminology and dreams for the future. The passion
of all in attendance was palpable. The openness to
questions and to change according to what is necessary
was inspiring. Those gathered quoted theologians and
theorists. But, in the end, perhaps the greatest gift was
the challenge to be courageous and strong enough to
imagine together realistic ways in which we keep our
mission and charisms alive.

Kindred
Spirits
Called to Carry the Charism
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Featured Event

CARMA Conference
Members of the CARMA (Conference of Associates
& Religious of Midwest Area) planning team met on
September 8 at the Sisters of the Presentation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa. Members are
planning for the April 25, 2015, conference, Evolving
Our Future from a Contemplative Heart. The event will
feature Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Nancy Sylvester
Registration details available in January 2015.

Coming Events
November 8, 2014
Tri-State Conference
Contemporary Spirituality of Association
Cincinnati, Ohio
This is a joint activity with NACAR.

January 23-25, 2015

BVM/Associate/Friends Immersion Trip
San Jose, Calif.
For more information, contact Tricia Lothschutz at
tlothschutz@bvmcong.org.

November 21 & 22, 2014

Faith Formation Conference
Living the Gospel Joyfully
Santa Clara, Calif.
Panel on evolution of religious life and collaboration with
associates includes Associate Stephanie Lynott, Sisters of
the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary.
www.faithformationconference.com

February 27 - March 1, 2015

NACAR Workshop
One Charism, Two Cultures
Cenacle Retreat Center, Chicago, Ill.
Featuring Marci Madary, director of affiliation for the
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetural Adoration, La Crosse,
Wisc., and Tim OBrien, nonprofit administration faculty,
North Park Universitys School of Business and Nonprofit
Management. For more information and to regsiter online,
visit www.nacar.org.

December 2, 2014
IAD Leadership Meeting
Chestnut Hill, Penn.
For more information, contact Cathi Duffy at
cduffy@shcj.org.

April 25, 2015

CARMA Conference
Evolving Our Future From a Contemplative Heart
See featured event above.

December 12-14, 2014

Religious Formation Conference Event
Orientation to Formation
Willimantic, Conn.
Augustinian Reverend Ray Dlugas and Sister Maria
Hughes, Adorers of the Blood of Christ, will present.
For more information and to register, visit
www.relforcon.org.

May 26-29, 2015

NACAR Associate Leadership Retreat
LaSalle Retreat Center, Plano, Ill.
Check NACAR website soon for details.
June 5-7, 2015
Annual Associate Retreat
Contemporary Spirituality of Association
Ipswich, Mass.
Sister of Notre Dame Ellen Keane will present.

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