Vincentian Family and North American Conference of Associates and Religious

The Vincentian Family is well represented in the planning stages of the NACAR Conference to be held May 28th to 30th 2003 at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. This group represents some 27,000 members in the US.

Ellen O’Connell, SC writes… “Held every second year, this Conference attracts Companions, Associates and Religious from all parts of the United States and Canada.

There are over 1000 Vincentian Companions and Sisters of Charity Associates in the North America; more than 27,400 Lay Associates from all Congregations of Religious, according to latest statistics from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

NACAR gathers every second year to hear national speakers, exchange information about Associate programs, pray together and experience the energy of this burgeoning movement in the Church. Heading up the Planning Committee for 2004 are Associates and Religious from the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, Halifax, and New York, as well as many other Congregations including the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, the Congregation of Notre Dame, Maryknoll, the Sisters of St Joseph and the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

John Freund, CM will conduct a pre-session workshop entitled , The Internet and the Associate Movement: A Hands On Experience. Keynote Speaker, Edwina Gateley will address the topic, Meeting Christ in the Margins. Maryknoll Affiliate, Ann Carr, M.D. will also speak on ministry to the poor. Conference planners are especially interested in welcoming Hispanic Associates and Companions from the tri-state area.

A special invitation is extended to Vincentian Companions and Priests, Daughters of Charity, Associates and Sisters of Charity to attend this local, yet international gathering of Associates and Religious and to experience first hand the growth of the Associate movement. Registration is limited so early registration is recommended. A registration form can be downloaded and mailed to the NACAR office in the Bronx.

For a recent CARA study which showed among other things how this rapdily gorowing movement has been undercounted.

“In Part I of the Study, published in 2000, entitled Partners in Mission: The Associate-Vowed ReligiousRelationship in the United States, a total number of 25,500 lay associates was counted. Part II of the Study, released this week, records attitudes of associates and vowed Religious to this newly emerging form for living the mission and charism of a religious institute. It increases the estimated number of associates to 27,400+.”