NACAR North American Conference of Associates and Religious

   Background

Associate relationship is a way in which adults outside of the vowed membership can share in the mission and goals of a religious congregation. The relationship is mutually creative, enriches, supports and challenges both associates and vowed members in their response to the Gospel. The essential element of association is to widen and strengthen bonds with others who affirm the goals and mission of a religious congregation. Associates do this while maintaining their independent life style.

  Today, the North American Conference of Associates and Religious finds itself actively involved in the growth of the associate movement throughout the United States and Canada through assistance in the following priority areas:

  1. Networking and mutual support for associates and religious
  1. Identifying and exploring new issues relevant to the associate/religious relationship
  1. Serving as a clearinghouse for the sharing of resources and talents for associate spiritual growth
  1. Visioning for the future of associate/religious relationship as the People of God
  1. Assisting religious congregations in policy and guideline development for associate programs.

Arising out of a need to network and dialog, the Conference was established in 1996 by affirmation of the national gathering of associates and religious held in Marriottsville. Since then NACAR has published The Associate, which shares ideas among religious and associates about aspects of their life in common.

NACAR also plans a bi-annual conference held in various geographic areas of the U.S. and Canada. Originally held in Marriottsville, Md., it has been held in successive years in Convent Station, NJ, Cincinnati, OH, St. Louis, MO, San Jose, CA, Milwaukee, WI, and New Rochelle, NY. The international conference gathers up to 400 associates and vowed religious.

NACAR offers workshops on the associate movement and on leadership in associate programs. It publishes a membership directory for its members.

 
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Send mail to Patrice Athanasidy  with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 -2007
 North American Conference of Associates and Religious
Last modified: April 10, 2007

 

 
Home               Background              Membership          Related Links             Contact Us
Send mail to Patrice Athanasidy  with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 -2007
 North American Conference of Associates and Religious
Last modified: April 10, 2007