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Director's Reflection
"Jesus no longer belongs to the past but lives in the present and is projected toward the future;
Jesus is the everlasting 'today' of God. This is how the newness of God appears to the women,
the disciples, and all of us: as victory over sin, evil, and death ---- over everything that crushes life
and makes it seem less human. And this is a message meant for me and for you, dear sister,
you, dear brother. How often does Love have to tell us, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead?'
Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness ...
and that is where death is. That is not the place to look for the One who is alive!"
---- Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy
Many of us tend to live our lives for the big moments: the birth of a baby, a retirement, a wedding, a class reunion, an engagement, a new home, a job promotion, our favorite sports team in the playoffs, a dream vacation, the holidays, Holy Week. Looking through old photographs reinforces these special occasions as milestone moments. And yet most of our days are not momentous ---- unless we try to make them so. Amid the challenges, political disappointments, household chores, small misunderstandings, traffic jams, and episodes of poor health, we have much for which to be grateful. Yet how can we be grateful and cheerful when things are not going our way?
It is the Resurrection that makes all the difference. God graces each of us with great love that redeems those things in our lives that are painful and challenging. God's love cannot stay dead and buried. It is beyond our earthly understanding, and yet it gives our lives meaning and purpose.
A few weeks ago, my father-in-law, John Joseph Lach, died unexpectedly following surgery for a broken leg. He never was one of the "in crowd"
---- never had fame, fortune, a Nobel prize, or gold medal. He was a contented man who worked so much for the poor and for his parish, most of it anonymously. A Korean War veteran, he worked two jobs to support his family. He was not a complainer, he consistently did the right thing, and he led by example. His three sons and daughter are awesome parents and have that same quality of kindness and generosity.
He was my father-in-law for 37 years, and my friend as well. He was not demonstrative; however, years ago my husband, Thierry, and I suffered the loss of our unborn twin daughters and we were both devastated and stunned. A few weeks after I was discharged from the hospital, my in-laws came to our door, 150 miles from their home, and persuaded us to go to Toronto with them for a weekend. I didn't want to leave our home, let alone have a good time, but off we went.
His kindness toward us did a lot to heal us and allow us to begin anew. He didn't say anything in particular. He just saw to it that we were taken care of, including gifting us with a bottle of rum and saying, "At least you can drink this again."
That is just a small example of my father-in-law's constant presence in our lives and his generally upbeat demeanor. He never had the big moments; he did "everyday" quite well. He lived as a person of faith who believed in God and in service to others.
As we continue into "ordinary time," remember that it is indeed the ordinary moments of our lives that are affected by the Presence of the Risen Christ.
Advisory Board Meeting
The Advisory Board for Associate Life met April 2-4 at Weber Center in Adrian. This is the second year of our Board, and we have been working on some projects. Here is a summary of what was accomplished:
- Mission Statement: The Board finalized the Mission Statement for Associate Life, which will be included in the Annals. Here it is:
The Mission of Associate Life is to respond to a call to live the Dominican charism. Associate Life provides and fosters opportunities for women and men to share life in Mission with the Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates within a relationship of mutual support for ministry, and to develop and strengthen their commitment to the mission of Jesus.
- Sojourner Groups: We have completed a guide for Sojourner Groups, groups of Associates who meet regularly, similar to a Mission Group. Sojourner Groups are grounded in the Dominican charism of study, prayer, ministry, and community.
These groups are formed in parts of the United States and the Dominican Republic where there are few or no Sisters. A Mission Group is a unit of governance in which at least eight Sisters and Associates participate, whereas a Sojourner Group is composed mostly of Associates and, if possible ---- but not necessarily ---- one or more Sisters. Sisters can be in Sojourner Groups as advisers, guests, or mentors.
Sojourner Groups are in the Dominican Republic, Alaska, Seattle, Phoenix, Albuquerque, St. Louis, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Miami (Barry University). A presentation in Florida on May 20 will explain the details. After that time, the presentation will be posted to the Associate Life section of the member website.
- Annals: All Associates receive Annals forms in May and are asked to return them to the Associate Life office. The Board has added some items to the Annals, including the opportunity for Associates to state their intentions for the upcoming year.
- Discernment Materials for Formation Book: Several Board members and other Associates have been working on adding a chapter on discernment to the formation book. The discernment material is based on a presentation that Trudy McSorley, Associate, made to prospective Associates; material from Lorraine Réaume, OP, Director of Formation; and results of a study conducted by the Board and other Associates.
This material will help prospective Associates to discern with their mentor whether they have the Dominican charism. The Board will be reviewing the remaining chapters in the formation book, as well as the handbook for Associate Life, to determine whether they need to be updated.
- Partners V, Weekend of August 4-6, 2017: Associates and Sisters will gather this August to explore diversity, a component of one of the Enactments. Rosa Monique Peña, OP, will be the keynote speaker. Registration forms will be mailed to Associates in May. Sisters, prospective Associates, and anyone interested in Associate Life are welcome to join us.
- California Retreat: The California Retreat originally scheduled for September 2017 has been moved to May 2018, due to a conflict with the Dominican West Chapter Assembly. The retreat will be hosted at the Villa Maria del Mar, in Monterey, right on the Pacific Ocean. You will hear much more about this retreat in the coming months.
- Board Membership: All Board members are vetted and chosen by the General Council after a process of interviewing and discernment. Board members are not elected. Several other Boards of the Congregation function in the same manner. In 2018, Jacci Brown, Associate, will no longer be on the Board and the General Council will select another Board member.
- RAL Ministry: After much study and discernment, the Advisory Board has decided to replace the Representative of Associate Life (RAL) ministry with our one-on-one prayer partner ministry. This is mostly due to improved communication to Associates through our website and monthly newsletter, and to the fact that most Associates are in Mission Groups or Sojourner Groups.
Last year, the Advisory Board contacted most Associates by phone and learned that those Associates who can no longer attend Mission Group or Sojourner Group meetings would appreciate the occasional phone call or note.
So far, 17 Associates have signed on to become part of our one-on-one ministry, which entails keeping in touch with one or possibly two Associates. This ministry is so important as a way reach out to our Associates who can no longer attend meetings, due to age, illness, or living where there are few Sisters and Associates. If you would like to join this ministry, please contact me.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the many RALs who have done a fine job. I would like to acknowledge all the RALs who served with me in the last eight years: Associates Arlene Bachanov, Barbara Baumgardner, the late Joanne Bellaire, Connie Brady, Jacci Brown, Roberta Clemak, Janice Donner, Kathleen Shannon Dorcy, Carol Johnson, Dennis Kane, Laura Lea Law, the late Ann Lindamood, Peggy Treece Myles, Dodie Nelke, Patricia O'Neill, Gael O'Reilly, Lissa Perrin, Marti Rozmys, Christa Rusch, Sue Slankard, Brenda Stratton, and Elaine Woods, and Sisters Noni Burns, OP, Kathleen Clausen, OP, Ana Feliz, OP, Carol Fleming, OP, and Margarita Ruiz, OP.
- Promotion: We will continue to ask Associates to invite others to consider Associate Life, to make presentations in our sponsored institutions, and to help update our brochures.
- Future Speakers: Associate Life will continue to present three speakers a year to assist with ongoing formation and to provide presentations for our website. Our next speaker will be Rosa Monique Peña, OP, at our Partners V meeting in August.
Kudos
A group of Associates in the Great Lakes Chapter have developed a card that can be displayed in restaurants to encourage the preservation of water. Associates Mercedes Fitzsimmons, Carol Hofer, Toni Adams, Jan Huvaere, Mary Bommarito, Camille Klimecki, and Sister Janet Stankowski, OP, have worked on this project. With the assistance of Office Support Services in Adrian, this card was created:
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From Our Associates
Spiritual Longings
Associates and prospective Associates were asked to share their spiritual longings. We will continue this in the June newsletter. Please submit your spiritual longings to me before Wednesday, May 10.
Here are some of the responses:
My spiritual longing is to try to live in the moment, to treasure the time of the present and not dwell on the past or stress about what might happen in the future, because we can't change either!
Marilyn Glanert, Associate, of Lake Worth, Florida
The beauty of aging is the gift of being able to see the fruits of your life. As I pray today, I ask to be quiet and listen. I long to be silently present to the Word that others speak; to find in the Word the desire and the meaning; and be faithful to the Word in my relationships.
Jacci Brown, Associate, of Waterford, Michigan
This is such a beautiful time of rebirth and new beginnings. It is such a positive time for me to be aware of the gifts of growth, new awareness both internally and externally, and the opportunity to share this growth with others through my actions and my thoughts. What a blessing!
Mary Bommarito, Associate, of Grosse Pointe, Michigan
My spiritual longings are to stay in the present moment, to continue to seek solitude and quiet, to be present to those whom God has gifted me with, and to seek activities that are life-giving.
Mary Lach, Associate, of Clinton Township, Michigan
Here are my longings:
Quiet contemplation with the Lord.
More good, uplifting movies. I just saw The Shack
----
highly recommended. It gives a different focus on the Trinity.
More good books: prayer books and modern.
Contact with others who have the same needs and desire for a strong spiritual life.
Camille Klimecki, Associate, of Warren, Michigan
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Schedule for Mary Lach,
Director of Associate Life
Working in Adrian
Monday to Thursday, May 8-11, 2017
Tuesday to Thursday, May 30-June 1, 2017
Working from Home Office
in Clinton Township, Michigan
Sunday to Wednesday, May 14-17, 2017
In Florida:
Friday to Tuesday, May 19-23, 2017
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Prayer Requests
For the repose of the souls of:
- Anne O'Neill, beloved mother of Patricia O'Neill, Associate, of Plantation, Florida. Anne died on March 20, 2017.
- John Lach, adored father-in-law of Mary Lach. John died on March 28, 2017.
For Associates who asked for our prayers during their recovery in rehabilitation and nursing centers: Terry Ann Viegas, of Detroit; Faye Jahnigen, of Aptos, California; and Rita Dougherty, of Chicago.
Associates Elvera Paul, of Waterford; John Coleman, of Adrian; Pat Seckel, of Clinton Township; and Janet Huvaere, of Harrison Township: all from Michigan, facing ongoing health issues.
Joyce Reigelsberger, Associate, of Tempe, Arizona: for Julie Sergovic, Mary Reigelsberger, and Janet Hazlett.
Mary Bommarito, Associate, of Grosse Pointe, Michigan: for her brother Barney, health issues.
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Upcoming Events
Gathering of Florida Associates
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017
Rosarian Academy, West Palm Beach
Ritual of Acceptance for West Palm Beach Associates
11:30 a.m. Mass, Sunday, May 21, 2017
St. Ann Church, West Palm Beach
Ritual of Acceptance for Boca Raton Associates
3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017
St. Joan of Arc Church, Boca Raton
Meeting with Rosarian Academy Staff
Monday, May 22, 2017
Partners V: Focus on Diversity
Friday evening to Sunday noon, August 4-6, 2017
Weber Center, Adrian
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Mission Statement for Associate Life
The Mission of Associate Life is to respond to a call to live the Dominican charism.
Associate Life provides and fosters opportunities for women and men to share life in Mission
with the Adrian Dominican Sisters within a relationship of mutual support for ministry,
and to develop and strengthen their commitment to the mission of Jesus.
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Associate Life Advisory Board
Please feel free to contact members of the Associate Life Advisory Board with your questions, ideas, or concerns.
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