Revised Guidelines 2020 | AssumptionAssociates

THE COMMUNITY OF LAY ASSOCIATES TO THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

REVISED GUIDELINES USA 2020

WHO ARE ASSOCIATES?

Lay men and women who desire to commit themselves to live according to a Marian-colored spirituality and a charism of charity and trust in Divine Providence, while continuing to live their baptismal vocation. A very deep devotion to Mary is evident throughout the Congregation’s history, most especially how the mystery of her Assumption gifts us all with abiding hope.

Together, Sisters and Associates journey along a unique Way in two forms of commitment, but as one family, always following Jesus in his mission to “reveal God’s love.”

FRAMEWORK OF THE COMMUNITY OF LAY ASSOCIATES

The USA community of lay associates journey alongside an advisor from the Congregation who coordinates with a leadership team for ongoing formation and decision making.
All members of each local community of associates are responsible for animating and supporting monthly gatherings.
Each local group chooses a liaison who serves as a contact person between the Congregation and the local group, prepares a calendar for monthly meetings, and provides a summary each month for sharing on the website, WHICH IN TURN BECOMES A YEAR-END REPORT SENT TO THE ARCHIVES IN Nicolet, Canada. [He/She can recruit help from among the local members to help in these tasks.]
Every five years at a general assembly, a discerning process is used to select new leadership team members; for continuity it is suggested that on a four member team, 2 members would stay on, and 2 would step down with no one serving more than 2 terms.
Every five years each local community would use a discerning process to select a new liaison, or re-elect for one more term if that person is willing. [This can take place prior to the 5 year term if the liaison needs to step away for some reason]
Ongoing formation takes place to facilitate the calling forth of new leaders

WELCOMING SEEKERS

Recruitment of new members happens through personal invitation and personal witness
Anyone wishing to become an associate would first journey as a seeker with a local group for 6 months to a year, attending monthly gatherings
When a seeker makes known his or her desire to become an associate, the local group discerns together looking at what they have seen and heard from that person that would make for a genuine commitment
The seeker[s] would then attend a “workshop day” of deeper introduction to the lives and work of Jean Harper, our founder, and the 4 women who started the Community, Leocadie Bourgeois, Hedwidge Buisson, Mathilde Leduc and Julie Heon, either with the liaison or with the entire group to review the Congregation’s history, charism, and mission. [This could take place at a few sessions instead of a day’s workshop]
A date would then be set where the seeker would make a formal commitment as an associate, preferably at the annual fall retreat day. Signed commitments are kept locally.

WHAT DO ASSOCIATES COMMIT TO:

Active participation at monthly gatherings by sharing their faith story/members of each local group take turns animating these monthly sessions by providing a brief reflection on a theme, creatively weaving in art, music, and reference to the Congregation. This is followed by one or two faith sharing questions for the group to break open. Every month the liaison shares any Congregational news, prayer intentions and announcements.
Attendance at SASV Community events, workshops, and the celebration of our feast day on August 15
Yearly retreat – if possible
Integrate the community’s spirituality, charism, mission and current Chapter orientations into daily life
Daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word along with continuing discernment of their commitment, and openness to a possible call to leadership at the local or regional level
Renewal of promises at least every 2 years, preferably at the annual fall retreat day

FORMULA OF COMMITMENT

God of all goodness, in Baptism you welcomed me into the great family of the Church. By this new life and by the anointing of your Holy Spirit, you called me to serve your people and participate in the very mission of your Son, Jesus Christ.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

PRAYER TO OUR PROVIDENT GOD:

Providential God, who through all the ages are equally wise, powerful, and generous toward those who entrust themselves to you, protect us, assist us, save us.

PRAYER TO HONOR THE MYSTERY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY:

We rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, Woman of the promise, who was assumed into heaven where she resides in the heart of Trinitarian communion and love.

v. Pray for us, Mary, our Mother and Sister

rx. That we also may be made inheritors of the promises of Christ

We ask you, gracious and tender God, to overlook what we have failed to do and to bless our SASV family, our ministries and our future as we celebrate this mystery that shapes our lives and speaks of our spirituality. Make us vessels and witnesses of hope to a broken world. May all who root their lives in this mystery believe that one day we too will be welcomed into the communion of saints with Mary. We ask this through Jesus, her Son, and through the power of the Pentecost Spirit who lives and reigns now and for all ages. AMEN ALLELUIA