Father Moreau | Heritage | Family of Holy Cross |Associates | Alums

Associate Membership in the Marianites of Holy Cross has been part of the history of our Congregation since our foundation in 1841 in Le Mans, France. Our founder, Basil Moreau, and our foundress, Leocadie Gascoin, Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors, asked members of the Congregation to invite families, friends, laity and students to pray with us for the needs of the Church, for vocations, and for special concerns.

Associate Membership is for individuals whose spirituality is consistent with the spirit and mission of the Marianites of Holy Cross and who wish to share faith experiences with the Holy Cross Family.

Associates join with the Marianites of Holy Cross in a spirit of prayer and unity in order to support one another and to further the mission of the Church. They commit themselves to live the Marianite charism through their spirituality, work/ministry, and interpersonal relationships. They are also offered other opportunities for participation in the life of the Congregation. Associates are financially independent from the Congregation and live their chosen life-style.

"My favorite teacher at St. Christopher School, may she rest in peace, was Sr. Mary Felix," said the Pastoral Council President at a parish in Slidell, Louisiana. When I informed the gentleman that we had recently celebrated Sr. Mary Felix's (Elizabeth McLoughlin) 75th anniversary of religious profession, he was awed. He continued delighting me with tales of his days as a student with the Marianites.

As I travel for the Mission Education Office (Archdiocese of New Orleans), over and over again, I meet men and women whose lives we, Marianites of Holy Cross, have touched...in schools, hospitals, parish ministry, and so on. I hear wonderful, graced stories about our sisters, both living and deceased. Inevitably, comments are made about our family spirit and the spirituality of "the cross." I'm talking about the 20 year olds through 70 year olds who really identify with who we are and what we do in service of the Church. (Because of my own senior years, I've even started to carry a notebook for recording such "good news" and passing it on to my sisters). I'm sure the same enthusiasm exists elsewhere in North America, France, and in the foreign missions. Sometimes, folks talk about wanting to stay connected with "their" Marianites. Several people have raised the question about "working with" the sisters in ministries.

Presently, I experience our Marianite Associate Program as a dedicated and pious union of prayers. In general, the interdynamics appear to be a paper generated relationship, mostly among older folks. Through the timeless vision of Fr. Moreau, his sense of mission, ministry and community life, we Marianites have something to offer to the broader Church. As this millennium unfolds, I propose we explore alternate forms of membership and/or association. With the support of our congregational leadership team, I'm researching various possibilities in regard to our Associate Program as a means of networking with laity. I know the Congregational Chapter has a final say so!

We are invited to be open to the God Presence within us personally, and among us corporately, with a spirit of gratitude. I am especially grateful for the Communion of Saints and blessings of All Souls. In particular, I recall members of my family - both blood line and religious congregation - who have mentored me in appreciating my own call to holiness.

The Cathedral of St. Julian at Chartres (so dear to Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors) has magnificent stained glass windows. From a distance, the windows appear to be a group of men playing piggy-back. (Really, in a Cathedral!) Closer viewing with the help of a guide reveals the symbolism of the beautiful windows. The bottom line up of four men are really prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. On their shoulders are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the evangelists of the Christian Scriptures. It dawns on me, that if those windows were tall enough, our mentors in the faith would be there as well. Ultimately you and I work out our spirituality by standing on their shoulders. Together lay Associates, Marianites and the extended family of Holy Cross have a charism only we can give to the Church.

I welcome comments, questions, interests and concerns....and I love getting mail. If you are willing to be part of an ad hoc committee to explore "connecting," let me know. Please send me your insights. God holds you in loving hands; I hold you in my prayers and on my shoulders!

Sr. Judy Gomila, MSC, 1011 Gallier St., New Orleans, LA 70117 judymsc@hotmail.com phone: (504) 241-7533, Ext. 2

Father Moreau | Heritage | Family of Holy Cross |Associates | Alums