South Florida Associates: Our Story
by Associate Paula Winker
An area meeting in Venice, FL. From left: Associate Paula Winker, Sr. Lynn Welsh, Sr. Mary Jane Herlik, Associate Kelly Sinasac, and Sr. Jean Tranel.
In 1997, Mary Ann Shea, OP, and Jeanne Drea, OP, opened their home in West Palm Beach for monthly soup and prayer. Helen Dailey, OP, and Loretto Wolff, OP; Associates Barbara Roth, Jean Moffet, Marian Bunce, and Paula Winker; and neighboring Adrian Dominican Sisters gathered. We were joined by coworkers and volunteers through our ministries in local parishes and Catholic Charities. Gradually, as more women expressed interest in this evening of community and spiritual growth, a second monthly soup and prayer meeting was started in a home in Boca Raton.
During the early days, Jeanne Drea, then Co-Coordinator of the Associate Program, prepared evening prayer, and someone volunteered to bring soup, salad, or bread. Jeanne’s prayers continued to arrive via e-mail after Sr. Mary Ann Shea’s death in 2001 when Jeanne relocated. Father Samuel’s vision of “Sisters coming, working with the people, and moving on while the people continued the mission” had been put into action. Soup and prayer meetings continue today in Boca Raton. Members of the group present on topics such as the Beatitudes, the Holy Spirit, lives of saints, woman at the well, and Advent. Members organize a yearly Christian Seder during Lent, and we planned the 10th New Year’s peace vigil.
About five years ago, a few members of the prayer group wanted to meet in a smaller group and explore Dominican spirituality more deeply. This initial group of four became the basis for our Associate discernment group. Others have joined us. We use “Becoming an Associate” and the Dominican values pamphlets as our primary discussion guides. We celebrate St. Dominic’s Day. We shared the loss of two Associates, Jean Moffet and her daughter Cindy. However, not all persons in the prayer group join the discernment group. Not all persons in the discernment group choose to become Associates.
The Associates in discernment are invited to participate in the Floribbean regional meetings with Sisters and Associates. The welcome we receive from the Sisters of the Floribbean region is fundamental in broadening our spiritual formation, living with community, and grounding us in prayer. Our respective local ministries are enriched from our participation.
While we miss the geographic presence and inspiration of the south Florida Sisters who have moved on to other ministries, our journey continues. Our monthly meetings are occasionally blessed with visiting Sisters or Associates from other parts of the United States. We attend the fall Associate Gathering at the Mound and honor our Associates at their commitment and recommitment ceremonies. We attend the area meetings on the west coast of Florida whenever possible.
As an Associate, I am most appreciative of the opportunity to participate in community, prayer, study, and service with the Dominicans of Sinsinawa. This is my spiritual home.