by Annie Hall, OPA
On Sunday, May 31, five Akron Associates met me at my house in Cleveland to pray, reflect, and discuss being an Associate in Northeastern Ohio. The meeting was warm, friendly, and enlightening. With eight discerners in Akron at the present time, our conversation turned towards the opportunity to share the Dominican charism. What would speak to these discerners about the Dominican way? What speaks to us? We discussed the four pillars: prayer, study, community, and service/preaching. We talked about mottos that articulated our purpose. I was reminded of my twenty-plus years as a professor at Ohio Dominican University where the motto was, “to contemplate truth and share the fruits of that contemplation,” a motto that worked so well in an educational environment.
A question arose about Associates and meetings. What do we do during those meetings? As I thought about this question, I remembered my experiences in Columbus, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. The meetings were prayerful, friendly, social, and often centered around a reading, perhaps an article or selection from a book. One time our group focused on poetry. It was a delight. What was missing, as some point out, was service. And the question usually arises, should the group dedicate itself to one particular issue, volunteer opportunity, or cause?
As I reflected on this question, I thought about all the Associates I knew over the years. All of them were serving their communities, their parishes, the international Catholic community, and other projects in exceptional ways. We were busy. We were living service.
The Associate Groups offered a prayerful break in my busy life. It was a supportive community that encouraged reflection, silence, and peace. Such respite is rare, and I would encourage all groups to foster this prayerful refreshment. It prepares us for the world. It makes us ready to live and preach the Gospel. And it balances the apostolic with the contemplative, the hallmark of the Dominican charism.
Nicely said, my friend! We certainly miss your physical presence here in Louisville!
What a great summary of Associate Activities and meetings, Annie! Thanks for sharing this for the benefit of ALL our Dominican Associates!
Annie, I wish this would be included in the Associate Handbook. This is my feeling exactly. I remember my past Associate group meetings as mini-retreats, time to focus on not doing as much as being. I look forward to someday being in an Associate group again.
Dear Annie,
So grateful for your reflection and appreciative of the last sentence offered.
“ the Associate program balances the apostolic with the contemplative”. As a Dominican sister for many years what became most important to me was “the contemplative balances the apostolic”, the Hallmark of the Dominican Charism. When in active ministry, and even now being retired, I still give myself to quiet prayer of the scripture and then sit quietly before the Lord. It makes God’s Presence and Peace my first priority of the day.
Our world today and even in retirement, we are kept busy and that is good in some ways yet we still need the balance of placing a priority to God as the first thing in the morning as much as we can. Thank you.