Associates gather in St. Louis, build community and grow in mission

July 11-14, 2025, Associates and Religious of the Sacred Heart from Canada, Mexico, Uganda, and the United Sates gathered in person at the Pallottine Renewal Center in Florissant, Missouri, for a conference entitled “Together as One Heart” or “Juntos Como un Solo Corazón.” It was a time of deep reflection, sharing, learning, praying and coming together as “One Body”— a call from the Society’s General Chapter 2016.

The conference was the first of its kind in the history of the Associates program, which was established about 30 years ago. The gathering also reflected, in part, the future province comprised of the Antilles, Mexico, and United States – Canada Provinces.

Among several RSCJ participants were Provincials Clara Malo, RSCJ, and Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, and General Council member Noellina Namusisi, RSCJ; they presented on the Society’s General Chapter 2024.

“Sharing, praying, reflecting, and being in community with the RSCJ and Associates from around the U.S., Canada, and Mexico provided a deeper understanding of Sophie’s charism in real time. I am grateful for the opportunity and feel strengthened to carry forth the mission and the love of God to others,” said Elda Garcia-Ditta, an Associate from Houston, Texas.

Sofy Gámez, an Associate from San Luis Potosí, reflected on the gathering sharing, “The call that mostly resonated with me was to reach new frontiers… I think that this Associates gathering fulfilled this call because it gave us the opportunity to be interconnected. It gave us spaces for deep listening and dialogue to look at ourselves in a new way, but at the same time allowed us to reaffirm our shared identity.”

Associates Leadership Co-Chairs Sarah Cassidy and Angela LaGrange Scott gave a presentation on the gathering to a room full of RSCJ and mission partners at the USC Province Assembly just one day after the conference concluded. Sarah said, “Our experience was a testament to the new energy and life that is emerging as we are in dialogue with our sisters and Associates.”