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"Here
I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with
me." - Revelation 3:20
History
of the Associate Movement:
The
history of the Franciscan family has had a long tradition of
laity association. From its beginnings, the Third Order Rule has
provided lay persons the opportunity to live the spirituality of
Saint Francis of
Assisi
.
For
Associates, the program provides a deeper contact with all of
the sisters as well as with new contacts with other lay persons
searching for that "something more" than they find in
their work, and everyday life-style. The Associates join other
individuals who are attempting to answer the "universal
call to holiness".
Who
are Associates?
There has been a global movement by laity in response to the
call of God's Spirit upon their lives. Lay people have become
interested in religious life while remaining in their lay
lifestyle
Associates
are non vowed Catholic lay persons male, female, single or
married, who desire to further develop their spiritual lives
according to the vision and teaching of Saint
Frances
of
Assisi
and to further seek a deeper relationship with God through a
formal affiliation with the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the
Sacred Heart.
(LINK
TO WHO WE ARE)
Associates
in Relationship!
Associates work closely with and in the community, providing
assistance in a variety of ways. Associates can be found doing
and living any number of things as our ministry is all
encompassing. Their purpose is to build a network of mutual
support and community in the ministry where each feels called by
God and united with the Franciscan Missionary Sisters. As an
associate, and in the spirit of Saint Francis, you are invited
to PRAY; SHARE FAITH, and/or MINISTER with the Franciscan
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Sisters, sharing Franciscan
values, as well as the history and charism of the community.
An
Associate in PRAYER commits herself/himself to live the Gospel
and to support in prayer the Congregational Mission and Vision
of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
An
Associate in FAITH commits herself/himself to ongoing conversion
by participating regularly in Spiritual Studies and Retreats
with the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
An
Associate in
MISSION
commits herself/himself to minister with the charism of the
community, in the footsteps of Francis, with the redemptive
heart of Jesus, by actively participating in the congregation's
mission and spirit.
Why
Become an Associate!
Vibrantly,
our community of associates and Sisters, reflect a magnificent
symphony of Franciscan compassion, generosity and spirituality
to all God’s people especially His most chosen.
The
F.M.S.C. and Associates collaborate together to create a
proclamation that expresses the commitment of the community
saying, "We follow the spirit of Francis and Clare. We live
the Gospel joyfully and courageously in continuous conversion.
We seek solidarity with persons who are poor. We reverence all
of God's creation. We recognize the need to be His instrument
and peacemakers in our world."
We
embrace YOU to share the Spirit...
who forms us in gospel values of prayer, simplicity, poverty,
charity, and justice, as modeled in time past by Francis and
Clare.
We
embrace YOU to share the Joy...
of our charism as Franciscans as we bring joy to all of God's
creation especially the poor.
We
embrace YOU to share the Peace...
to become a peacemaker with those who seek solidarity with the
oppressed.
We
embrace YOU to share the Heart...
to companion with people on a spiritual journey as a missionary
and to share the true redemptive heart of Jesus by embracing
more fully the spirit within your own heart.
We
embrace YOU to share...
prayer, service, ministry and mission, and the experience of
being in communion with all.
We
embrace YOU to be His Instrument...
to reach out and journey with others, to be peacemakers in our
world following in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Clare of
Assisi.
Join
Us!
Do
you desire to expand and enrich your life in lasting
relationships and to live a deeper experience of God in your
life? Do you desire to be an instrument of peace and positive
change?
We
welcome you to explore the possibilities that await you as an
Associate member.
Come,
follow and journey with us in His footsteps. Embrace and answer
the desires of your heart and become that instrument of peace
that He so calls you to be.
As
sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ, the Franciscan Associates
and Sisters choose to live the Gospel in a RELATIONSHIP of
mutual support, which concretely expresses the GOOD NEWS of
God's love, and extends this love in outreach to others. To the
degree that we are faithful to the Gospel and to our
Mission
, this relationship will be characterized by HUMILITY, FAITH,
SERVICE, and especially JOY.
For
more information on Franciscan Missionary Sisters Associates
please fill out the online form or contact:
Sister
Petra Zhangi, F.M.S.C.
Director, Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Associates
Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Associate Office
Mount Saint Francis
250 South Street
Peekskill
,
NY
15566-4419
Phone: (914)737-3373
Fax: (914) 737-5409
E-mail:
info@fmscusa.org
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