RESPONSE FINAL_W_ 4_24_18-WEB
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SPRING/SUMMER 20<strong>18</strong> PAGE 8<br />
People<br />
&<br />
Places<br />
Holy Union Associates<br />
Like many Religious Congregations in North America, the<br />
Holy Union Sisters are experiencing an increase in the number<br />
of Associate members. We want to share with our readers<br />
what an Associate is and what it means to be a Associate.<br />
We posed these three questions<br />
to Holy Union Associates<br />
to learn more about<br />
why they have chosen this path.<br />
Janice Gendron<br />
Elena Gontza<br />
Catherine Gregory<br />
What attracted you to the<br />
Holy Union Sisters and their Charism?<br />
Ayer-Shirley Associate Janice Gendron: I had the Holy Union<br />
Sisters in grammar school and have known them for years.<br />
Persons preparing to become Associates<br />
go through a period of initial formation,<br />
usually lasting a year. Unlike sisters who<br />
are vowed members and make a lifetime<br />
commitment, Associates do not live in<br />
community and make a commitment for<br />
one year at a time. They attend meetings<br />
of associates and vowed members in<br />
different geographic areas of the province<br />
where they study the history and spirit of<br />
Holy Union while learning how to deepen<br />
their Baptismal commitment. Associates<br />
strive to participate more fully in the<br />
charism and mission of Holy Union.<br />
New York Associate Elena Gontza: Their deep spirituality, their<br />
compassion, their resilience and humanity. The sisters work hard, but they<br />
know how to enjoy life. They are happy, funny and know how to have a<br />
good time.<br />
Ayer-Shirley Associate Catherine Gregory: I enjoy being part<br />
of the faith community with the Holy Union Sisters. I especially like the quote<br />
in the introduction to the Associate guidelines: “It (the charism) is expressed<br />
in multiple ways by those individuals who, in their walk of life, strive for the<br />
perfection of charity, and thereby help others to grow.” This has special meaning<br />
for me to be able to share my faith and belief with others who struggle to believe.<br />
Maryland Associate Kathi Jeffra: I was originally attracted by<br />
the internationality and the rich and broad context it brings to each local<br />
ministry. As I met more sisters and listened to their wisdom as members<br />
of an international congregation, I fell in love with their living out of our<br />
baptismal call. That we are called to be at the heart of the world revealing<br />
God's love seems so ordinary but is actually radical and profound.
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