Sinsinawa
Spectrum
A Congregation News Magazine
Telling Our Story: A Timeline
by Associates Carol Dapogny and Ann Campagna
2009. Associates gathered Oct. 30–Nov. 1 for their annual meeting. The focus of this weekend for more than 230 Associates, Sisters, and friends was to prepare “to tell our story.” We committed to develop―individually and collectively; through song, dance, word, graphics, and textiles―the story of 25 years of the Associates of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa. Next year when we gather for our silver jubilee, we will tell these stories. They will be splendid in their differences but grow from common roots.
1982. An Enactment of the General Chapter stated, “We believe that many women and men place high value on the apostolic community, liturgical spirituality and a love of study. Their experience is that these elements of Dominican life greatly enrich their lives and give impetus to their ecclesial ministries. Therefore we recommend that the General Council explore and initiate with interested persons new forms of affiliation with the Congregation and the Dominican family.”
1984–1985. Twenty-five former Sisters were invited to the Mound and met with Diane Kennedy, OP, and Duchesne Maxwell, OP, “to renew friendships and explore and initiate new forms of affiliation with the Congregation and the Dominican Family.” A profound openness and loving trust filled that weekend. In the words of Jeanne Coyne, “There was a flow of love.” A steering committee, formed from the attendees of the weekend, held meetings full of prayer and spirited exploration. Guided by “Canonical Implications for Emerging Forms of Association of the Faithful with Religious Institutes,” the committee struggled to find language which was relational rather than legal and a design that allowed for growth, not restriction. A document, “Sinsinawa Dominican Affiliate Guidelines,” was presented to the General Council in July 1985. (In 1995, the name was changed from “Affiliate” to “Associate.”) In August 1985, Cecilia Carey, OP, announced the General Council’s acceptance of the guidelines and the beginning of Affiliation. In December, the first 17 people became Sinsinawa Dominican Affiliates.