Serve Nuture and Walk Community Prayer Life Ministry Prophets

Holy Cross Associates
Called to Serve

We are called, Lay men and women, single and married, to serve God by sharing in the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Holy Cross Associates
Called to Nurture and Walk
We are called to nurture the concept of family in service to the People of God envisioned by the Congregation's first Brother (Andre Mottais) and founding Father (Basil Moreau).We are called to walk with our brothers in Holy Cross as sojourners ... longing for the coming of the new creation as we seek to be stewards on this earth.
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Holy Cross Associates
Called to Community
We are called to community. It is essential to our mission that we strive to abide so attentively together that people will observe: "See how they love one another." We find strength in our mutual support as we gather for monthly chapters, social events, observance of congregational feasts, study groups and periods of sharing.
 
On Community/Unity ...
On Community/Unity ...
The spirit of community
consists in that intimate union
existing among the early Christians
one heart and one soul,
so that ...
the witnesses of this touching spectacle
exclaimed in admiration:
"See how they love one another."-- 1858 Rules
What is true of a place [is:] ...
It is not one person who builds;
nor is it one stone,
or one single beam of wood which forms it,
Each worker contributes something
from one's own trade;
each stone is cut to fit into its own appointed place;
and each piece of wood is arranged and placed
so as to enhance
the general effect of the entire building.
Union, then,
is a powerful lever with which we could
move, direct, and sanctify
the whole world ....--Circular letter 14
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Holy Cross Associates
Called to Prayer Life
We are called to prayer. We pray with the Church; we pray in community and we pray in solitude. We promote family prayer: "A family that prays together, stays together" (Servant of God Patrick Payton, C.S.C.) We share weekend retreats, days of recollection, and afternoons of reflection on Scripture and the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Prayer and meditation enriches our lives and sustains our commitment to ministry.
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Holy Cross Associates
Called to Ministry
We are called to ministry. We stand side by side with all people. We offer our personal and collective charisms in service to, and with, the People of God and all of God's creation. We share our gifts in union with, and in light of, the traditions and charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross: We are women and men who join our brothers in Holy Cross in a life of hospitality, bringing the hope of our Lord and brother, Jesus -- the Christ. In keeping with the tradition of Holy Cross, we minister wherever our Lord needs and for whomever our Lord pleads.
 
On Ministry/ Service ...
On Ministry/Service ...

The ties that bind us to one another
are close and strong.
Toward all whom we meet
we have a duty
not only to pity and relieve their misfortunes
when we are able,
but to practice the virtue of mercy
in such a way
that we draw out the best in others
and lead them to see
that goodness is
both stronger and more attractive than
badness. 

-- Daily Meditations
It is not enough to send a few sighs heavenward,
to recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and Master,
to invoke him occasionally or to ask for his grace,
We must,
with his grace,
put our hand to the work and do the will of his Father
as he told us.
Sighs, lazy moanings and sterile invocations
will not open the gate of heaven.
Works must be added!

-- Exercises, 1855
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Holy Cross Associates
Called to Prophets
We are called to be prophets. Our consecration is a public one, for we are called to stand forth in service and in witness. By our annual promises, we commit ourselves, with our vowed brothers, to be prophets. We call into question the fascinations of our world: pleasure, wealth and power.
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