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Affiliate and sponsor explore spirituality in afiliation process

On March 6, Cecile (Cele) Bruss celebrated her covenant affiliation with the FSPA. Her friend and sponsor, Sister Jo Ann Serwas, was there to celebrate with her. The two met at St. Gabriel Parish where Sister Jo Ann serves as pastoral associate, and Cele as volunteer coordinator to the homebound. Insight spoke with Cele and Sister Jo Ann about the sponsor-affiliate relationship they shared during the affiliation process.

Cele Bruss (CB): When Sister Jo Ann came, we worked together real well. I bounce a lot of things off her. In conversation I said something like, "Although I have a prayer life, I felt so stagnant where I was." Sister Jo Ann told me about the affiliation program. My ears perked up at that. She invited me to meet with the local group (companion community) and they made me feel most welcome. I just bombarded them with questions and was real eager to listen. The companion community really was a good starting place for me.

Sister Jo Ann Serwas (SJ): The local group connection is important. Cele is my golf teacher and, because we also work together, I didn't want affiliation to be based solely on our friendship. I felt it was imperative for her to get her feet wet with other Franciscans. When she expressed an interest, we invited her to the local group. She was just like a sponge.

I have not recommended affiliation to others before. There is a certain fertility here that wasn't in other places. Plus, my history with the community is only ten years old. In those first years I felt that I was the one that was in the learning and growing process. At that point I just didn't feel comfortable inviting someone else in. I think God had a finger in this as well.

Cele Bruss, left, with Sister Jo Ann Serwas. Photo by Marci Madary

CB: I always feel that. It was happening, but it was a planned thing by someone greater than we are. We were in the right place at the right time. After being invited to the companion community I went to La Crosse with Jo Ann. When I sat in the chapel, I knew it was right.

SJ: Part of what made it easy with Cele is that she already spends an hour a week in adoration at a neighboring parish. She knew what adoration was all about. I recommended affiliation to Cele because she had indicated she was feeling stagnant and wanted more. Other affiliates I have experienced made me see this as a possibility for her.

At the Area Days, I was privileged to be in a mixed group, with affiliates. I was really impressed with the depth of their spirituality. I think that is a phenomenon in the church. Lay people are getting more and more comfortable with articulating their spirituality. Years ago the concept was "that level of spirituality is for the professional people in the church." Now, I think lay people are saying, "that's for us too." I think the community, through the affiliation program, provides an outlet for that.

I had some hesitancy in becoming a sponsor, because you don't want to take somebody where they are not meant to be. On the other hand you are an instrument in the hand of God, and you don't always see the end clearly. There is an element of trust there.

CB: We both read the materials and I would come back with questions. Sister Jo Ann was there for my questions. Sometimes we came up with an answer together.

SJ: This was a benefit for me. I had to go back and do some homework, it tilled my garden. If I didn't feel comfortable giving her the answer, I had to look it up.

CB: Now that I have become an affiliate I miss our discussions, and I've told Sister Jo Ann I still want to read more.

SJ: Our sessions were a mixed bag. We work together, and we even dieted together. Sometimes we put a meal in conjunction with our sessions. We scheduled affiliation discussion at least once a month, in addition to the local group discussion.

We have another person meeting with our local group now. She's not sure affiliation is right for her yet, but she is welcome to attend. We have an open minded group, Chiara East. There are four sisters and five affiliates. On this side of the state it is like being in the hinter lands as far as FSPA is concerned. If someone wants to investigate our community, we invite them to our local group because it is a long ride to La Crosse.

CB: The local group is a wonderful exposure even before you make up your mind to do this.

SJ: On the other side of the state it might be different. But over here, opening our group to those who are investigating works out well. The options to investigate the FSPA are greater near La Crosse. Here we are sensitive to each other because we are all we have.

CB: I attended three or four meetings before I decided to pursue affiliation. It took me a little while to digest everything. I did not take this lightly. It had to be a serious commitment for me.

SJ: Being a sponsor was a challenge for me. It caused me to look at things I took for granted. Now, when Cele asks for more, it is a cue to me that I need more too. Our local group helps with that too. I would advise others to be open to sponsoring affiliates. God will point the way. If it is meant to be, it will work.

CB: The tremendous sense of joy that came with affiliation was unexpected. After going to the live-in I was overwhelmed with the joy that came from that. The joy stemmed from finding the "more" I was looking for and from feeling the fire. We had about sixteen at the live-in. The group had a wonderful chemistry.

The process went well for me. Sister Jo Ann has been an exceptional companion. In searching, the more questions I asked, the more I received back. It was almost like this was waiting to happen for me. I felt so led to it. At each step I felt this is where I need to be. This is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. Affiliation makes my ministry more meaningful. I really feel I am the instrument. I have been given gifts and want to put them to work.

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