- June 9, 2021 Association
By Mary Armbrust, Director of Association
Association is Alive!
The pandemic motivated us to develop new ways of meeting online that resulted in some very positive outcomes. So many associates and sisters have shared that they now feel more connected than ever with their fellow associates and sisters in our province and beyond than ever before. There is an energized, hopeful vision for our future.
Association is Well!
On April 28, our Association Leadership Board (ALB) hosted “Celebrating the State of Association,” an online gathering for sisters and associates. They reported the evolution of the group and detailed what they have accomplished in the areas of spiritual growth opportunities, redefined leadership roles and improving communications. Nearly half of the participants were sisters. We are so grateful for their continued interest and support of association.
Of great importance was the announcement of openings in each of our regions for regional associate coordinators. Their work is to support the unique ways of initial formation, ongoing spiritual formation and living out the charism in our own communities.
*FOR SISTERS AND ASSOCIATES: A video recording of this event, the job description for regional associate coordinators and an excellent video by Sister Carol Zinn on what association is and is not are all available in Members Only.
Association is Growing!
Please join me in welcoming our newest associates in the Matrix, Josepha and Little Design communities:
Associate Andrew Jendraszak
The Matrix Community Expands
This non-regionally defined small group of associates and sisters celebrated the initial commitment ceremony for Andrew Jendraszak on March 28. Andrew grew up learning about CSJ Association for over 20 years by tagging along on the group’s annual retreats and being present at meetings held in the home of his parents, Associates Loretta and Patrick Jendraszak. Andrew is a teacher at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis and is active on their Mission Effectiveness Team. Blessings on Andrew and the Matrix Community!
New St. Louis Community Formed
Congratulations and welcome to the Josepha Associate Community. The new associates are the first associate community comprised of St. Joseph’s Academy (SJA) staff and faculty. They have been in formation since the fall of 2019 with the formation team members Associates Santa Cuddihee, Christine Holladay and Kay Komotos. We are so happy this newest group of associates were able to make their initial commitments in person (socially distanced and masked) at the SJA Chapel on May 1. Sisters Pat Dunphy and Marianne Keena are also joining the Josepha Associate Community, which is named in honor of Josepha Marie Nellesen, CSJ, a well-respected and dearly missed SJA faculty member who died in 2005. Blessings on new members and SJA!
Pictured (l-r): Front Row: Associates Santa Cuddihee, formation team member; Associates Jennifer Millikan, Andy Lodes, Katie Lodes, Diane Everitt and Ann Hammer; Mary Armbrust, director of Association; and Sister Fran Maher, Province Leadership Team liaison. Back Row (l-r): Associate Kay Komotos, formation team member; associate mentors Sisters Suzanne Giblin, Pat Dunphy, Marianne Keena, Linda Straub and Barbara Moore; and Associate Christine Holladay, formation team member.
Little Design Community Welcomes New Members
On May 22, four new associates made their initial commitments at the Carondelet Motherhouse's Holy Family Chapel. Congratulations, Barb Gewinner, Alfreda Pulley, Beverly Crawford-Brown and Catherine Lucy. Their mentors are Sister Pat Quinn and Associates Cheryl Archibald, Dorothy Dempsey and Lisa Messmer. The new CSJAs have been in formation since the fall of 2019 with the formation team members, Associates Kay Komotos and Deb Skyles. Blessings on the new associates!
Pictured are (l-r): S. Pat Quinn, mentor; A. Barb Gewinner; A. Alfreda Pulley; A. Cheryl Archibald, mentor; S. Margaret Schulz, Province Leadership; A. Deb Skyles, formation team member; A. Dorothy Dempsey, mentor; A. Beverly Crawford-Brown; A. Catherine Lucy; A. Lisa Messmer, mentor; and A. Kay Komotos, formation team member.