Vision Statement:

Called to follow Christ through a deepening of their commitment to the Gospel, Lay Associates are men and women who believe that their own life and their relationship with God can be enriched by sharing with the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation.

United with the sisters through their lay vocation in the Church, associates share their gifts and talents "in the service of charity," entering in their own unique way into the mission, charism and spiritual traditions of Marie Poussepin and St. Dominic.

Mission Statement:

Associates of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation participate in the charism of Marie Poussepin while maintaining their own vocation and lifestyle.  Committed to deepening their personal prayer life, involvement in their parish community, and the service of charity, Associates share in the mission and spirituality of the Congregation.  Both Associates and Vowed Members mutually support, enrich and challenge each other to live the fullness of their response to the Gospel in today's world.

Criteria:

• Catholic men and women

• 21 and over

• Individuals who embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church

• Individuals who are drawn to live a fuller spiritual life through association with a religious community

• Individuals who desire to deepen their own vocation and lifestyle

• Individuals who Possess a desire to share their gifts with the Church through the spirituality of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation
  

What Do Associates Do?

• Pray:

  • Have a personal prayer life

  • Pray with the Church through morning and evening prayer

• Participate in daily Eucharist as often as possible

• Are involved in their parish community

• Attend monthly sessions

• Participate in various community celebrations

• Devote some time, on a regular basis, to the service of charity in the spirit of Marie Poussepin                                    

To become a lay associate there are

two stages of formation:

First Stage:

Initial 6-Month Orientation Sessions

(September  - February)

Through 2-hour sessions that include input, sharing/discussion and prayer, the person is initiated into:

• the meaning of a lay associates program

• the Christian Call to holiness

• the life and works of Marie Poussepin - Foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation

Second Stage:

Once the person has discerned that she/he seriously wants to become part of the lay associates program, she/he begins a two-year formation program process that includes:

• study of the documents of the Church on the laity

• charism and history of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation

• retreats

• ministry opportunities