Associate Gathering and Covenant Day in the United Kingdom

Brendan and Carole Campbell with Kathleen McBride, CSJP and Mary Fortey, CSP-A, Associate Co-Directors as they are signing their covenants.

It was significant that this year’s Associate Day was held on Saturday 19th March- the Feast of St Joseph and we had a celebration befitting the occasion.

The day began with Mass in the Chapel, followed by the usual welcoming greetings and of course coffee and biscuits.

Mary Fortey Associate Co -Director began the proceedings with a prayer to St Joseph, Patron of Refugees and followed on with Gospel readings portraying the important role Joseph had in the life of Mary and Jesus and his obedience to God’s plan.

Kathleen McBride, CSJP then introduced the programme for the day.

We were to watch a Video in four segments of fifteen minutes each and in between each segment we would have time for reflection and sharing. The theme was Spirituality: Gospel of Peace, Mary and Joseph Prayer/Reconciliation. This was part of a pre-Associate education programme.

The presentation was by Alexandra Kovats CSJP and having listened to her biography we knew we were in expert hands.

Alexandra gave us several descriptions/images for spirituality and we were encouraged to make our own and to reflect on our spiritual journey. In the second session we looked at a spirituality of Peace and were challenged to express this in our relationships with ourselves, with God, with creation and with others. We were given scripture passages from Isaiah and the letter of James as well as some very pertinent excerpts from our constitutions. We were encouraged to imitate Teresa of Lisieux and “Take a very long look at the Real” and to find God the Divine within.

We reflected on Mary the mystic and prophet who brought to birth the son of God and how we through our love and generosity can bring Christ into our world. Joseph is our model for listening to the word of God and acting accordingly and keeping right relationship with gratitude and a readiness to forgive.

We certainly had much to take away with us and to ponder.

Before lunch we had a short business meeting during which there were some exciting ideas for future events.

After lunch we had the gift of a covenanting ceremony when associates Brendan and Carole Campbell renewed their covenant with the Congregation for three years. This is always a happy occasion when all of us associates are reminded of our privilege and joy in being associated with the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace.

Thanks to Monica Purdue, CSJP-Assoc for the article and Maureen Brennan, CSJP for taking the photos.