JOSEPHITE FATHERS OF CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATES
In 2000 the confreres discussed the possibility of forming a group of “lay associates,” and the invitation to members of the parish at St. Louis de Montfort was announced.
In 2001 a group met and the program was launched, but it was always intended to be a program that did not merely copy parish programs, and it was to be open to any lay person who worked with us at St. Joseph H.S., or at Holy Cross parish in Santa Barbara.
Approximately 15 individuals have been a part of the group since its inception. But the group has evolved in terms of what it does. Following the General Chapter of 2006 the term “lay” was dropped and the group is simply known as Josephite Associates.
The group has developed various ideas as to what is involved for Associates to include:
To share in the Josephite prayer life through morning/evening prayer at St Louis de Montfort, Holy Cross and at St. Joseph Seminary.
To study the charism of the Congregation and to apply that charism to one’s personal life;
To study the spirituality of the Congregation;
To engage in one-two days of recollection a year;
To engage in discussion groups on issues of common interest;
There are also opportunities for those who wish to assist in some of our apostolic works at the school or parish, or at St. Joseph Seminary in accordance with their interests, expertise, and the developed interests of the group.
Some of the activities that have taken place to promote vocations include:
• Sponsoring an all-night Eucharistic adoration on the Thursday before First Friday at St. Louis de Montfort.
• The development of the use of an Icon of St. Joseph which is framed, and is provided to families who wish to gather as a family, one day each week, using the prayers provided.
• To gather yearly for a day of reflection.
• The design and creation of a pin that is given to Associates after a period of demonstrated involvement.
• To join with the Daughters of Mary and Joseph in an annual Associate Retreat at the sisters retreat house in Palos Verdes, CA.
• To develop a “spirituality guide” and a formal program for new Associates.
• To develop a “corp group” of leaders who have taken on the responsibility of organizing the quarterly meetings, to develop a “constitution” based on the writings of the Founder and the Daughters of Mary and Joseph’s Associate constitution.
