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Association means a giving and a receiving

Patricia Stortz

Several years ago as I was considering my vocation in life, I had the opportunity to be a postulant of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  During that time I grew in my relationship with God, and in my love and respect for SSND.  However, as I went through the discernment process, it became clear that I was not being called to the SSND lifestyle. 

Although I was not called to become an SSND, I was still strongly attracted to the charism: the concern for our global community; the belief in the importance of education in furthering God's reign; the appreciation of the need to work together, and to support and encourage each other.  As a result, when the associate program was first mentioned to me, I thought it could be a good way for me to keep up a relationship with this congregation that had encouraged my spiritual growth and was in accord with my life priorities:  education, unity, mutual support.

Through the years I have found that the Associate relationship with SSND has helped me focus my energies and life outlook.  My jobs were no longer just jobs, they were ministries.  The people I served weren't just "clients", they were persons who deserved to be treated with dignity and encouraged to be the best they could be.  I have grown spiritually and in my understanding of my faith.  My commitment to this Associate relationship has not been easy over the years; other areas of my life have made many demands on my time and energy.  However I think that I am a better person, a better Christian, and more faithful to my life vocation because of this relationship.

The Associate relationship is not only a way for me to take advantage of the intellectual and spiritual resources of SSND; it does not only mean that I receive encouragement and support in living the life of a committed Christian in the world.  Associate membership is also a way for me to give to the congregation of myself, just as the congregation gave of itself to me.  I believe that by the sharing of our different perspectives in life we can challenge and encourage each other as we work together to transform the world.