“To live according to the
spirit is to do what faith,
hope and love teaches
us, both in spiritual and
secular things.” 

Associates in Mission

Associates in Mission of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati are women and men, young and old, married, single, widowed, divorced, ordained, who share in the mission and spirit of the community.

These women and men seek to express in their lives, a spirituality of attending to God in prayer, in each other, and wherever God’s love is made visible. Associates in Mission commit to explore a new dimension of Christian life, one that calls for a deeper fidelity to the gospel. Associates commit to a relationship centered upon living and spreading the gospel message, serving the spiritual and corporal needs of God’s people and sharing friendship, faith and action with the Community.

They offer one another, and the Sisters of Charity, mutually enriching relationships with the opportunity to share faith and the awareness of how the gospel impacts our lives and our world.

Associates in Mission strive to integrate the mission and spirit of the Sisters of Charity into her/his role, position or ministry. Associates try to live in a way that makes visible the virtues of humility, simplicity and charity which are the foundation to the spirituality of the community.

There are as many ways to be an Associate as there are Associates. Each one finds the best way that she/he can share this charism (spirit) with others. This could be through their work in a business setting, educational facility, in health care or a non-profit organization. Associates may volunteer at one of the SC ministries or serve in a parish. Their service may be within their own family, caring for children, a spouse or an elderly relative. A life of prayer may be the way they support the community’s efforts. They may find that advocacy for the poor or work as a full-time volunteer is how they express the Gospel message.

However they choose to serve, being an Associate is more about “being” rather than “doing”. Associates’ lives mirror the way they experience the relationship with individual Sisters and/or other Associates, sharing the love of Christ with others in their every day situations.

Associates pursue avenues with the congregation which encourage personal spiritual growth and development. They receive and give support to other community members by participating in gatherings for prayer, discussion and socializing. They keep informed of community events and functions and respond to and initiate communication with other Associates and Sisters.

Associate Mission Statement:

We Associates of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati are women and men striving to live the Gospel values. Called by God, we choose to be in mutual relationship with the Sisters of Charity guided by their Mission Statement. We commit ourselves to participate in this mission through our individual life situations.

SC Mission Statement:

Urged by the love of Christ and in the spirit of our founder, Elizabeth Ann Seton, we Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati strive to live Gospel values. We choose to act justly, to build loving relationships, to share our resources with those in need, and to care for all creation. (Chapter 2011)