Be an Associate
Bring the Life of the Sisters Into Your Own Life
Do you share the joy, purpose, and passion of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth? Do you want to impact the world through your prayer and service in collaboration with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth?
Associates share in the charism, mission, and spirit of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Community. Although Associates do not take vows, they make formal commitments to live the Gospel values.
If you have a Vincentian heart, eager to embrace the charism given for the whole Church to Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac, Mother Xavier Ross, and all who followed their example, you should consider becoming an Associate.
SCL Associate Mission Statement
Impelled by the love of Christ, we strive to make a difference as we pray, serve with joy, act with justice, build community, and care for all creation.
Who Can Be an SCL Associate
Associates are Christian women or men at least 18 years of age, who are committed to personal spiritual growth, and are financially independent of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Community.
As an Associate, you also commit to:
- Live and act with humility, simplicity, and charity.
- Meet the critical needs of God’s people and the Earth.
- Work with others in support of Jesus’ mission.
- Act boldly and with integrity.
- Respond to others with mercy and love.
You’ll strive to witness Gospel values and to meet the needs of God’s people, especially those who live in poverty. You’ll also share times of prayer, service, and friendship with Sisters and other SCL Associates.
Becoming an Associate
Becoming an Associate means completing a formation and application process and making a formal, written commitment. Each year, you renew your commitment on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25). You’ll also review it in depth every four to six years and renew. The steps are laid out in detail below.
Invitation
A Sister or SCL Associate nominates you as a candidate. The nomination is sent to the Director of SCL Associates. Next, you complete an Associate Interest Form. The Director of Associates reviews the completed form and accepts you as a Candidate with approval from the Community Director and SCL Council Liaison. The Associate Director then identifies a sponsor(s) for you, who guides you through the Come & See formation process and is a connection between you and the Sisters and Associates during this time.
Formation
Come & See is the year-long, initial formation period during which you meet with your Sponsors, SCLs, and other SCL Associates to discern if God is calling you to the Associate relationship with the SCL Community. You’ll learn more about the SCL Community and share in the experience of Associate members, including service, prayer, and social gatherings.
When you complete formation, you begin a final discernment process with your Sponsor. If you discern a call to be an Associate, you’ll complete an application for review by the Director of Associates and the SCL Community Director. Upon approval, a ceremony occurs to formalize your commitment and welcome you as a new SCL Associate.
Join Us as an SCL Associate
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