Affiliation program’s 30th anniversary celebration calls us to ‘Celebrate, Honor, Act’

by Marci Madary, affiliation office co-minister

Thirty years is a long time. In 1981, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as U.S. president, AIDS was just being identified, the U.S. Supreme Court had its first woman judge and John Lennon was on the pop music charts. Also in 1981, the opportunity for lay people to be a FSPA affiliate became a reality. Over these 30 years, affiliates and sisters have shared their lives and their faith with each other. Through their Gospel witness they have spread the love of God to thousands of people. Joyfully they have walked in the footprints of Francis and Clare—calling us to celebrate.

To “Celebrate, Honor, Act” sisters and affiliates joined in daily prayers and acts of kindness for each of the 30 days prior to the Fall Gathering. Their gifts of gratitude culminated on Oct. 14, when the 30th Anniversary of Affiliation was celebrated with prayer in Mary of the Angels Chapel. With a resounding demonstration of thanksgiving, more than 3,000 pounds of food were collected for local food shelters. In their giving, they received.

Incorporated into the evening prayer, participants celebrated the covenant affiliation commitment of Carole Butz, Emily Dawson, Don Fidler, Addie Halfmann, Jill Martin and Diana Schmidt. Patti Gleason and Dawn Heckenkamp also renewed their covenant affiliation.

The Fall Gathering continued on Oct. 15 with an opportunity for affiliates and sisters to deepen their investment in authentic relationships by studying compassionate communication. Jean Lauer, a teacher of non-violent communication, presented the method and principles of conversing in a way that doesn’t demean or accuse the other person. The challenge of non-violent communication is to observe the situation without judgment, to express feelings and needs and then offer a specific request. With practice communication can become more compassionate, which in turn will enhance relationships.

Between the two days, more than 120 sisters and affiliates participated, including affiliates in California who connected through web video conferencing. It was a fitting celebration for 30 years of faithfulness to affiliate-sister relationship, to a broad Franciscan community.