History

Who and What is an Associate?

  Lay Associates or OLM Associates may or may not be of the Catholic Christian faith and may be male or female.   They may be married or single.  They may serve as long as they wish and are not bound to a specific time.  Each Community has different acceptance requisites and policies.  Our OLM Associates make a promise at their acceptance.

  We receive the publications of the North American Conference of the Associates and Religious and the Charity Associates Publication.

  Before 1991, individuals signed contracts.  This is no longer required. An application requesting admission is now used.  The council approves the request and sets the date for admission.

  Associates are most active in each of their parishes and gain support, ideas and a feeling of belonging at their gatherings.

  Associates have been and are aware of the Sisters, and they are most supportive of them as is evidenced by their visits and attendance at funerals of the Sisters and at any event to which they are invited.

  In 1976-77, the Lay Associate program was inaugurated by The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy and continued until 1989, when only one associate remained in the program.  That same year an exploratory meeting was held for the purpose of discussing ways in which the laity and Sisters might share prayer life and ministry.   Volunteers were formed primarily from the outreach program.