Associates and Sisters gathered together at Nazareth Motherhouse Campus on Sept. 22-24, 2023, for the annual fall gathering. This year’s theme was Strands of a Network and the presenter for the weekend was Mary Novak.

Mary is the executive director of NETWORK, an inclusive, national, Catholic advocacy organization working to achieve equity and justice for everyone. Her sessions throughout the weekend covered the topics of Catholic Social Teaching, Pope Francis’ “A Better Kind of Politics,” and Discerning the Call. Teresa Kotturan, SCN, also presented during the gathering on Saturday afternoon, focusing on the topic of Vincentian Perspective on Systemic Change. Participants had the opportunity to enter small group discussion for each session.

One highlight of the weekend was that several Associates renewed their commitments. The renewal ceremony, held on Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Church, can be viewed here.

Celebrating a three-year renewal were: 

• Elaine Belflowers
• Robin Cleveland
• Judy Donohue
• Lakme Kodros
• Tammy Mattingly
• Rosemary McAdam
• Jim O’Connell
• Chris Ryan

Renewing Lifetime Commitments were: 

• Ann Kovalcik
• Pam O’Connell
• Jean Payne
• Karen Sloan
• Ellen Sullivan

New candidates for the Associate relationship were also recently approved. They are:

• Wendy Goodwin
• Jackie White
• Spalding Hurst
• Jennifer Hurst
• Colette Leet – previously an Associate, requested to return

Overall, the gathering provided an opportunity for prayer, reflection, listening, sharing, socializing and exploring ways in which Sisters and Associates can address the issues present in our world today in a spirit of charity.