HOLY HEART OF MARY AFFILIATES, Batavia
We have experienced a significant change in membership recently with 6 of our affiliates joining the Mustard Seed on-line affiliates. Congratulations to this new affiliate venture. And at the same time we are blessed with four new affiliates and two potential affiliates. It was on May 20 that several affiliates enjoyed a silent retreat here in Batavia. During the afternoon a May crowning was held followed by new affiliates making their first commitment and present affiliates joining in their recommitment prayer. Our service project this past year has been contributions to Marklund, a residential home for persons of all ages suffering from profound developmental disabilities. Our May contribution profided gardening tools for use by the residents. Upcoming summer events include a picnic on May 17 and a meeting of the Affiliate Planning Committee in preparation for the coming year.
Sr. Evelyn Varboncoeur
ANNE AFFILIATES, Rockford
The St. Anne Community Affiliate Group meets the second Saturday of each month (except July and August). We are reading and commenting on the book: Lessons from Saint Th?érèse: The Wisdom of God’s Little Flower by John Paul Thomas.
We begin each meeting with a prayer led by an affiliate or one of the Sisters. We always catch up with one another and make sure that we are aware of anything to add to our prayers. In our chapel, there is a blessing cup into which we all put intentions. The papers are folded and the writer puts their name on the outside. About once a year we bring the cup to the meeting and hand each person their intentions; they either place the intention back in the cup or dispose of it. Then we add new intentions. The community prays for all the intentions in the blessing cup our evening community prayer.
There are many groups and organizations in our area who reach out to the homeless and the less fortunate so each month we decide as a group to which group we want to donate. Last month we collected for a group gathering jars of peanut butter and jelly. The public schools provide breakfast and lunch during the school year, but many children don’t have sufficient food during the summer. The Rock Valley Food Pantry was trying to collect 20,000 jars to distribute to families with children. We could either donate the jars or with $20 the group could buy a case or 12 jars. Our group decided to donate money.
Sr. Mary Kay Moran
HOLY FAMILY AFFILIATES, Kankakee
Our affiliate group consists of four members who meet monthly, one member who has moved to Alabama joining us by phone. At this present time we are sharing/discussing the book “A Passion For Life”, by Joan Chittister. The book contains chapters on saints, women, or other persons, who have been influential in the church and world. We share how these persons have touched our own lives and how they are a model for our actions. This book has the most beautiful icons painted by Robert Lentz. Our service project is offering paper products and feminine needs to the local food pantry.
Sr. Vicky Mobley
MUSTARD SEED AFFILIATES, On-line
Mustard Seeds affiliates was first gathered approximately six months ago. It is a virtual on-line group that meets the fourth Thursday of each month by Zoom. Our group consists of eight members from across the country. We chose the name Mustard Seeds because we are scattered throughout geography and time zones, yet we come together to grow in our SSCM charism. Since we meet virtually, our social time consists of talking together and sharing the happenings of our lives. At our next meeting we will begin to share on the book “Charism, An Evangelical Visage to Incarnate and Manifest”, by Fr. Laurent Boisvert OFM. Since we are such a geographically diverse group, our service projects are individual in nature, each doing what she can in her own way. We take time during our meetings to share not only what we are doing, but how this service is touching our lives. We are also taking turns each month to send cards for birthdays, holidays, or other special occasions to Sisters who have a birthday during that month.
Sr. Vicky Mobley
MERCY AFFILIATES, Urbana
Mercy Community has 5 members and 3 Sisters. In the fall possibly another member. In 2023 we chose to read the book by Sister Agnes Cunningham on Father Founder. We are on hijabs during the summer, we will gather again in September 2024, We will read Sister Agnes Cunningham’s book on Mother Foundress. We may also have a new member in the fall.
Sr. Charlene Cesario
MARY AFFILIATES, Kankakee
St. Mary Affiliate from Kankakee meet at Riverside Independent Care since the sisters have left St. Mary's. We meet every 3rd Monday in the Card Room from 2 to 3:30. Two of our Affiliates are in wheel chairs so can meet with us. There are 9 members. Two can no longer attend: Angie Clement cannot drive from Beaverville and Lucy Luciano from Morocco, Indiana as does adult care during the day but we keep connected. Our goal this year is to study the Affiliate Handbook. Our charity monthly collection (for more than 5 years) is for the SSCM African Formation Program. We send the money to Cheryl, then to Canada who in turn sends it to Africa.
Sr. Mary Stella Schellenberger
GALL AFFILIATES, Chicago
The St. Gall Affiliates meet once a month at the convent in Kankakee. The 4 of us share the blessings and events in our lives. Sr. Loretta opens with a prayer to ponder and reflect on. We are reading Bread and Candlelight 1889-1945. This month we learned that Cardinal Mundelein invited the Sisters to open St. Gall School, in Chicago in 1924. 4 Sisters started the school with 220 students "who do not listen too well." The Sisters are no longer at St. Gall School but it is still open serving a Hispanic Community. We close by sharing a meal.
Affiliate Alice Murray