- August 2, 2019 Association
By Associates Carrie Arnold and Clara Uhlrich
Summer brings to us a fresh fruit harvest—watermelons, grapes, apricots and more. Associates and sisters are now reaping the many fruits of the strategic plan of the Associate Leadership Board (ALB). This plan was developed from a survey of associates with respect for our regional diversity and how the CSJ mission to the dear neighbor has developed to meet unique needs in the different regions of the St. Louis province.
The many fruits of this strategic plan include an update of the ALB guidelines and a re-structuring of committees dedicated to the plan’s efforts; the identification of regional leader contacts to encourage better communication; and the publishing of a regional calendar of events to encourage participation. The needs of those associated in the first three years of association is a priority of this plan and the development of a tool for all associates to identify annually how he/she chooses to live the call to association. Association budget needs are being reviewed and ACOF (Associates, Consociates, O'hana and Familia de San Jose)participation is supported and encouraged.
The strategic plan calls for a province-wide gathering of associates and sisters by a host region every other year. This summer was the inaugural gathering of the Community of St. Joseph hosted by the Wisconsin associates on May 30-June 2 at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality in De Pere, Wisconsin.
This fun-loving group of associates from the regions of Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis and Wisconsin opened the gathering with a traditional Wisconsin tailgate party complete with bratwurst, cheese curds and Bloody Marys.
The program kicked off on Friday morning with a reflection based on a recent backpacking trip on the Camino de Santiago. Participants were then asked to reflect on what they have accumulated in their own backpacks, what continues to serve them well, and what they are needing or willing to let go of to lighten their packs. The afternoon continued the theme but asked the questions on a regional basis.
Mother St. John Fontbonne made a surprise visit to add her wisdom to the mix. The evening ended with a bonfire with the group burning pieces of wood on which they wrote what they were letting go of.
Saturday involved Kylego-ing, a fun and innovative process of envisioning new ways of being. Participants broke into regional groups and discussed how to best live the CSJ charism in their local areas, then developed a regional commitment statement.
It was unanimously agreed that the weekend was time well spent and that the first biannual gathering of the Community of St. Joseph set the stage for another wonderful weekend, this time in Kansas City in 2021.
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