Presentation Associate Ministers

The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a congregation of women in the Church whose vowed members serve God’s people in many ministries.  The Congregation was founded by Nano Nagle in Cork, Ireland, in 1775, to teach and care for the poor and oppressed.  In time, Nano’s followers carried the charism to many parts of the world.  Today, women and men, inspired by her charism, work to enflesh it through their prayer and service. Since Nano’s charism is a gift to the Church for the spread of the reign of God, it is something to be shared.

Christian Baptism calls all people to participate in the Church’s mission of evangelization and transformation of the world.  Being an Associate Minister provides a way of living out Baptismal promises by sharing in the charism, spirituality, and mission of the Sisters of the Presentation without being a vowed member.   Associate Ministers have the opportunity to extend the work of the congregation and the spirit of Nano Nagle.  The Sisters share their spiritual resources with the Associates and all are enriched by the spirituality of one another.  The congregation relates to the larger Christian community by this bonding of sisters and associates in spiritual growth, mutual support, and sharing in the mission of the Sisters of the Presentation.

Each Associate Minister is asked to belong to a local AMEN group whenever possible. AMEN groups
are composed of Presentation Sisters and Associate Ministers who meet regularly for prayer, mutual support, spiritual growth and fostering the mission. Retreats are offered throughout the year to the Associates in New England, New Jersey, and New York.

Admission is requested through a Presentation Sister or an Associate Minister. For more information please e-mail: Sr. Pat Dowler sisterpatdowler@gmail.com or  Mary Jane Person personmaryjane9@gmail.com 


Associate Update - August 2020

All of us have experienced changes in the past six months that have challenged us to continue everything in ways that we have not known.  The Planning Committee met by Zoom recently and wanted to let everyone know what is happening with our Associates both near and far.  At the time of the Pandemic, everything went on hold, but we continued to find ways to keep in touch with our current Associates and those who were in the process of becoming Associates in 2020.  We have the largest group joining us in November.  They have continued with the Journal and some were on a recent Zoom meeting in NY.  All Associates and pre-Associates received a letter and a reflection on the icon (prepared by Sr. Norma) to unite them all in a prayerful experience.

Currently, we have 11 applicants in the New Windsor area who are working with Norma and several Sisters in upstate NY; we have 4 young women in the Bronx who have been working with Mary Catherine Redmond and the Sisters in Visitation House using Zoom during the past several months; Donaldo has submitted three applications from people in the New Orleans area and is working with a possible fourth person; Sr. Pat and Jane are working with four women in New England.  All of our Applicants either have completed or are in the process of completing the Journal.  The time of preparation includes prayer and sharing.  The journal introduces applicants to Nano, history of our Congregation, and topics such as Charism, Prayer, Community, Mission, and a Spirituality of Justice.  The final topic is Discernment/Commitment.  Through this process, we make efforts to introduce Associates and Sisters to one another as we work to share the mission of Nano wherever we are.

We are working to make Zoom our connection for prayer and gatherings in New England and New Windsor beginning in September. 

Our goal is to find a way to accept our new Associates in November.  As we know, time will tell how this will be possible.  Someday we will gather again and we will have so much to celebrate.  For now, we continue to minister to those around us in whatever way is possible and know that we are all united in prayer and joy as we carry Nano’s flame in these challenging times.

Sr. Pat Dowler
M. Jane Person
August 2020