The new phenomenon being experienced in these days is that some members of the laity are asking to participate in the charismatic ideals of institutes. This has given rise to interesting initiatives and new institutional forms of association. We are experiencing an authentic reflourishing of ancient institutions to religious families and secular institutes. Whereas in times past it was especially the task of religious men and women to create, spiritually nourish and direct aggregate forms of laity, today, thanks to an ever-increasing formation of the laity, there can be a mutual assistance which fosters an understanding of the specificity and beauty of each state of life. This ecclesial dynamic will be helpful to the renewal and identity of consecrated life. As the understanding of the charism deepens, ever new ways of carrying it out will be discovered. From “Starting Afresh from Christ: A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium,” by the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life IHM Congregation Associate Program 1982 - 2004 The Associate Program of 2005 is the present-day response to a twenty-three year old vision of practical ways to partner with the laity in living out the IHM charism and ministering to the people of God. The Church of the 21st century needs this cooperation among the laity and religious for the mutual benefit of all. It was in the General Chapter of 1982 that a proposal was made: “That the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary establish an Associate Program.” The rationale statement referred to a Vatican II document, saying: “To offer the laity, in accord with the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, opportunities for the exercise of their apostolate of making the Gospel known.” The Associate Program as originally presented and approved by the Chapter of 1982 detailed four ways for the laity to participate in IHM life. These were: A. By sharing in planned prayer experiences with IHM’s; and/or by making a commitment to pray for IHM Sisters and their endeavors. B. By joining with other associates living within parishes where IHM’s minister to build up Christian communities through Scripture study and prayer. C. By serving in one of the IHM ministries, making a commitment for one or two years while residing with an IHM community. D. By residing with an IHM community for one year, sharing prayer and community life, but continuing one’s work or study outside an IHM community. 1982 - 1986: Sister Gloria Frank became the first Director of Associates, along with her role as Director of Affiliates, a religious formation role. During 1982 she implemented Plan A, the Prayer Associates Program. So successful was her work that in 1983 she enlisted the assistance of Sister Immaculee Cavanaugh to respond to letters and telephone calls from the prayer associates from across the country. In actual practice, the original plan B became incorporated into other dimensions of the Associate Program. By 1983 Sister Gloria had also implemented the original Plan C, the Lay Volunteer plan. By 1984 plan D was also underway. Recruitment and screening of potential volunteers, arranging for their employment in schools, parishes, hospitals, or other ministries, coordinating with appropriate Congregation personnel, as well as Pastors, and making financial arrangements with the local communities involved , made this role a huge undertaking. It was no wonder that one of the first recommendations made by Sister Gloria to the Chapter of 1986 was that the role of Director of Affiliates (a religious formation role) be separated from that of Director of the Associate Program (only potentially associated with a religious vocation). 1986 - 1988: Sister Susan Hadzima was appointed to these roles in 1986 after the resignation of Sister Gloria Frank. The focus of the Associate Program at this time is clear from Sister Susan’s report of December 10, 1986: “The Associate Program is organized as a way to share our IHM Congregation charism with the laity. What we have been given we must give freely to others as a means of enabling people to be enriched who desire to serve the needs of the Church. From their state in life there are many ways that our lay co-workers can share in the task of spreading our charism through their particu- lar ministry or occupation.” 1988 - 1991: A decision was made in 1988 to separate the directorship of the affiliates (formation) from that of the lay associates. Sister Eileen Coleman then became Director of the Associate Program, which included the Prayer Associates and the Lay Volunteers. Sister Eileen served until 1991 when Sister Katherine Sugrue assumed these duties. 1991 -1998: The longevity of Sister Katherine’s service, from 1991-1998, provided the opportunity to establish working committees to assist with long-range planning for the Associate Program. On January 25, 1992 the Volunteer Advisory Committee had its initial meeting; and on February 1, 1992 the Prayer Associates Committee was established. Thereafter, many joint meetings of these two committees were held. In order to bring former IHM Sisters into closer contact with the Congregation, a Volunteer Action Network was begun in November, 1993. In response to the initial invitation, twenty-four former IHM’s volunteered to assist in identifying ministries where lay volunteers could be placed in contact with our Sisters. There was no doubt that the Prayer Associate Program was a success. At the completion of Sister Katherine Sugrue’s directorship in 1998 there were some 900 prayer associates located in 23 States, Peru, Scotland, and British Columbia. There had also been 22 all-year lay volunteer placements during Sister Katherine’s term, as well as sixteen summer placements. 1998 - 2000: Sister Joan Coyne was appointed as Director of the Associate Program in 1998. A deeper focus of attention on the lay volunteer program was to begin . An Evaluation Survey of lay volunteers who had served in IHM ministries at any time from the beginning of the program in 1982 until 1999 was conducted. A study was also made of similar programs conducted by other congregations. 2000 - 2004: After these studies were completed a decision was made in 2000 by the administration to separate the two roles of Director of Prayer Associates and of Lay Volunteers. Sister Joan Coyne continued as Director of Prayer Associates until January, 2004. When the original Associate Program was ended there were 845 Prayer Associates . Sister Eileen Coleman served until 2004 as Director of Lay Volunteers. Her first effort was directed at clarifying her own role for the IHM Sisters, as well as that of the lay volunteers living in an IHM community. The attempt was made once again to dispel the confusion which existed between the IHM religious formation program and the Lay Volunteer Program, stressing that the lay volunteer was not a “candidate” in formation. Employer, local IHM community, and volunteer evaluation forms were developed by Sister Eileen. Brochures announcing opportunities for summer service for lay volunteers were published, as well as application and personal profile forms. There were a total of nine lay volunteers in service with the IHM Sisters over the period 2001 through 2003, eight of whom were short-term or summer service volunteers. A wide variety of sites for service were identified in geographic locations from Williamston, North Carolina, Baltimore, Maryland, Wilmington, Delaware to Scranton and Carbondale, Pennsylvania. In the material which follows Sister Jean Louise Bachetti, IHM, newly appointed Director of the IHM Associate Program, will set forth the plans for the new, revised program of interaction of the IHM Congregation with the laity. Director of IHM Associates Sr. Jean Louise Bachetti, IHM IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509 Telephone: 570-963-2480 Email: bachej@sistersofihm.org