First Virtual Faith Group
As Andy and Tammy traveled to meet with Associates face-to-face, Associates far from each other found a new way to get together without the hassle of travel. In early 2019, the first virtual Faith Group met via Zoom with the assistance of Dana Hinton of the Communications Office.^[181] Little did this pioneer group know how useful their knowledge of this exciting technology would prove in future years.

Development of an SCN Associate Strategic Plan
In the midst of 2019, for the first time, the SCN Associate Core Council, with professional strategic plan facilitator, Associate Carol Newton and the Associate Office, began to develop an SCN Associate Strategic Plan.^[182] “Based upon the Mission Statement of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the plan takes into consideration the need to grow, increase diversity and build new intergenerational relationships across the SCN congregation and with Associates of other Charity Federation congregations. While remaining true to our heritage and values, the plan also looks to those opportunities the future has to offer.”^[183] Over several months, the Core Council, Associate Office, and Carol Newton worked together to draft and refine the SCN Associate Strategic Plan. Opinions of the Associates were solicited on the plan itself as well as the implementation of individual aspects of the strategic plan.^[184] The first vision statement for the SCN Associates was developed as part of this process and reads: “The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Associates nurture and expand diverse, intercultural, and multigenerational relationships across the SCN global family, the larger Charity Federation and other partners to work for justice throughout the world.”^[185] Four core strategies, People, Connectivity, Programs, and Growth were identified to “support attainment of the SCNA Vision and nurture the SCN Mission.”^[186] Initial goals for each of the four strategies were then determined so that work may begin. These initial priorities were to revise the initial and ongoing formation process, to strengthen Associate relationships across countries and cultures, to develop a database of all SCNA ministries and explore learning opportunities, and to identify needed resources to, “support growth across the SCN relationship.”^[187] Never before had the Associates been so neatly organized with such clear goals expressed to the entire community.

As the organizational ties for the SCN Associates grew stronger, so did their ties in relationship with each other and with fellow groups of Associates and Sisters. In June 2019, Andy Meyer and Tammy Mattingly had the privilege of attending the first Sisters of Charity Federation Assembly of the Whole – a Charity Federation meeting open to all members of the Federation, including all Sisters and Associates, not just members of leadership.^[188] In September, Associates and Sisters gathered at Nazareth for the annual retreat. The theme was “Put Out Into the Deep” and the weekend was led by Judy Gomila, MSC. During this weekend of recognizing and exploring the gifts of the individual and the community, Sisters and Associates had the opportunity to share a powerful experience. Participants at the event blessed one another with water from the spring at Old St. Thomas, which once sustained the very first Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (and those first dear friends who joined them in their charism.)^[189] In October, Associates in Belize shared a similar retreat on the same topic, facilitated by Sister Beverly Hoffman and Associate Maggie Vargas.^[190] In December, in Gaya, five Associates gathered at the home of Prahba Minz for a discussion on the importance of Advent. Later that month, six Associates and four Candidates came together “in the Spirit of Christmas” at Navjyoti Niketan in Patna to discuss the meaning of Christmas, sing songs together, and share refreshments. In early February 2020, all seven Associates from Mokama gathered with Sisters at Nazareth Convent, Mokama, for refreshments and a meeting during wish they shared about their individual ministries^[191]

Written by Kelly McDaniels, Archivist, SCNA
2022

A history this multifaceted could not have been wrangled into a coherent document without the help of many. I am immensely grateful to all of those who have assisted in any way. First and foremost, a huge thank you to Mary Martin, SCNA, for giving me a solid basis for what to include in this history and for painstakingly reviewing each and every draft. Thank you to Sister Maria Vincent Brocato for interviewing multiple SCN Associates as part of this project, to Sister Malini Manjaly, Archivist in Mokama, for helping me piece together the history of the Associates in India, and to Sister Nalini Meachariyil for helping me with the history of the Associates in Botswana. My thanks as well to Tammy Mattingly, SCNA and Administrative Assistant of the Associate Office, for answering a million and more questions; and to my many wonderful readers (listed below) who have helped with grammar, clarity, and adding a richness to this story that I could not have achieved on my own. Thank you to all of those who contributed their memories and beautiful stories from the past fifty years: Evelyn Faldowski, SCNA; Mary Gene Frank, SCNA; Sister Paschal Maria Fernicola; Sister Barbara Flores; Sister Rhoda Kay Glunk; Charlotte Hazas, SCNA; Sister Beverly Hoffman; Donna Kenney; Sister Rosemarie Kirwan; Sister Marlene Lehmkuhl; Trudi Maish, SCNA; Andy Meyer, SCNA; Jo Ann Paulin, SCNA; Peggy Masterson Ryan, SCNA; Sister Marilyn Shea; and many others who shared a story in passing. Finally, thank you to each and every person whom I have peppered with questions or who has listened to me obsess over this impossibly tangled history for the past several months.

Reviewed and proofread by: Maria Vincent Brocato, SCN; Sharon Cecil, SCNA; Mary Gene Frank, SCNA; Charlotte Hazas, SCNA; Josef Jareczek, Ph.D., best friend of the Archivist; Sister Marlene Lehmkuhl; Mary Martin, SCNA; and Sister Marilyn Shea.

Source: https://nazareth.org/

Note on sources: Sources used in this history can be located at the Nazareth Archival Center, SCN Center, or on the SCN Family website.

^[181] Meyer, Andy. “Creating a Shared Vision for the Future of the SCNA Relationship: A Journey of Faith.” SCN Associate Newsletter. Spring 2019. p. 11.

^[182] SCN Associate Core Council. “Strategic Plan Executive Summary.” SCN Associate Newsletter. Fall 2019. p. 2; Hinton, Dana. “SCNAs Engage in Strategic Planning.” SCN News. 16 May 2019.

^[183] “SCNA Strategic Plan Progress and Executive Summary.” Updated 4 Dec. 2019

^[184] SCN Associate Core Council. “Strategic Plan Executive Summary.” SCN Associate Newsletter. Fall 2019. p. 2; “SCNA Core Council.” SCN Newsline. 20 Feb. 2020; “SCNA Strategic Plan Dialogue.” SCN Newsline. 12 Mar. 2020.

^[185] “SCNA Strategic Plan Progress and Executive Summary.” Updated 4 Dec. 2019

^[186] Ibid.

^[187] Ibid.

^[188] SCN Associate Office. History of the SCN Associate Relationship 1971-2019 (powerpoint); Hurst, Spalding. “Assembly of the Whole.” SCN News. 3 Dec. 2018.

^[189] Vetter, Beth. “Nazareth – September 20-22 ‘Put Out Into the Deep’ with Judy Gomila, MSC: Reflection by Beth Vetter, SCNA.” SCN Associate Newsletter. Fall 2019. p. 5.

^[190] “Belize Retreat.” SCN Associate Newsletter. Fall 2019. p. 8.

^[191] Karakunnel, Jane. “SCNAs Activities from Dec. 2019 to May 2020 – Patna Province.” SCN Archival Center. SCN Associate Collection, file A.008, “History – India SCNAs.”