Connecting with something bigger

Sister Dawn Tomaszewski

“The [associate] movement is growing. It seems to me that there is a future for this movement because of people’s deep desire for connection with something and someone bigger than themselves — to express and live a charism that is already deep within themselves. This movement seems to have found a way for people to do this in a meaningful way, in a mutually beneficial way for the religious communities involved and for the associates themselves,” says Sister Dawn Tomaszewski in her first interview since becoming the General Officer liaison to the Providence Associate Relationship.

The gathering of associates and sisters in St. Meinrad, Ind., on Sunday, Dec. 11, illustrates how these two communities come together in meaningful ways. On that day, five Providence Associates in southern Indiana and Kentucky renewed their commitments. Supporting them were not only sisters, but associates who had recently made their first commitments as well as other associates.

Sister Dawn has been a companion for an associate. This experience will definitely help her as she provides leadership and insight into the relationship. She says about her time with her candidate: “Having had the privilege of being a companion to an associate and participating in various association activities in Chicago with other associates and their companions gave me the opportunity to see the movement in action. I have a real desire to support these efforts and for this relationship to grow, for our collaboration to deepen.”

Learn more about Sister Dawn and Providence Associates by checking out our latest issue of PA newSPaper.