HOPE: THE CALL OF THE ASSOCIATE A Retreat for the Associates of the Religious Communities in St Joh
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May 20, 2025On Saturday May 10th, about 65 Associates of the Presentation Sisters, the Sisters of Mercy and the Redemptorists gathered for a day of retreat. In our Jubilee year of Hope, the theme for our retreat gathering was Hope, The Call of the Associate.Anne Walsh directed our retreat, beginning with the reading from the Word of God; Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you..."The day offered the participants an opportunity to gather together, to get to know each other, to take time from their busy lives, and let their yoke be lightened with times of silent reflection; round table discussions, group sharing and sharing a meal.
Together, we reflected on our theme by looking at our three founders— St Alphonsus Liguori, Nano Nagle and Catherine McAuley. They were Pilgrims of Hope in their day and in the places where they were planted. They inspire us to live their spirit and mission in new days and in our own ways. As Associates, God calls us to leave our comfort zones and be signs of hope for others, and to take the yoke of others in these challenging times for the Church and the world.We reflected on Mary who reveals our Mission as Missionaries of Hope. We explored how Pope Francis saw Mary as a model of mission, seeing people, accompanying them and walking with them, praying and gathering them together and calling them to mission as well.
We as Associates have been asked to lighten the burden of others by acting as yolks, helping them to carry the burden, knowing that they are not alone. We testify by our lives to the hope born of the Gospel readings and to offer that hope above all to those we meet in our every day life who are struggling. Let us be open to the Word and to welcome it and cherish it, so that it may transform our hearts into places where hope grows.His Holiness Pope Francis so beautifully expressed it: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."We give thanks for a lovely day with the accompaniment of Anne Walsh, Deirdre Greene Lono, Barbara Hawley, Sr Maureen O’Keefe, rsm and Sr. Sandy Butler, pbvm. We also thank the Sisters of Mercy for making available the welcoming space at Littledale Assembly Hall.