We welcomed four new Associates on November 7 during the morning liturgy in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel. The new Associates are Mary Kay DeGroot and Rita Nortrup, Springfield; Melissa Marchant, Green Bay, WI; and David Wehrwein, Sheboygan, WI.

“More than 35 years ago, the universal Church identified ways to welcome men and women who desired a way to deepen their baptismal commitment by accepting God’s call to live according to Jesus’ Gospel but not profess vows,” explained Nancy Davis, Associate Coordinator. “One of the ways was through an Associate relationship to a religious community and in the Hospital Sisters’ tradition, our Associates seek to model themselves in some way in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and the example of our Sisters,” explained Davis.

These four Associates join a family of 130 Associates who embrace Franciscan values and the Hospital Sisters’ spirit while bringing the compassion of Jesus to others in ways that fit their lifestyle. Associates meet monthly to share their faith on spiritual and Franciscan topics, share in the Hospital Sisters’ spirituality and join with them in prayer, community, celebration and ministry. Associates do not take vows.

Founded in 1987, Associates of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is a ministry that is open to baptized Christians 18 years or older with gatherings in Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Springfield, and Streator, IL; and Eau Claire, Green Bay, and Sheboygan, WI. 

Left to right: Melissa Marchant, Sister Maureen, Sister Annice, Mary Kay DeGroot, Rita Nortrup, Sister Mary Ann, David Wehrwein, and Nancy Davis