My role as the representative for the Denver Province to the North American Conference for Partners in Mission (PIM) is focused on working with other provinces to involve the laity in our mission, as well as implementing PIM in the Denver Province. For more than 25 years, Redemptorists throughout the world have been talking about how to engage the laity. There have been some successes, but the majority of Redemptorist communities have not been able to establish circles or groups. As the Denver Province representative, I am responsible for leading the Working Committee in helping our communities establish and sustain Redemptorist Circles of Associates.

One of our most important goals is to clarify the definition of Partners in Mission. Redemptorists have always recognized those who make our mission possible, but we also need to recognize those who live the mission with us. Both groups are important. Both are considered our partners in mission.

The North American Conference instituted a new PIM category – Redemptorist Associates. They are choosing to live our spirituality and charism in their own lives, thereby making the Redeemer’s love present in their own ministries. The more people who embrace our charism, the greater our Redeemer’s love will be felt throughout the world. The task at hand is to form Redemptorist Associates. Now that the official guidelines have been approved, the Working Committee for the Denver Province is striving to implement them.

The North American Conference conducted a retreat in October of 2017, which animated the start of a Circle of Associates in Tucson. They will be the first to make commitments as Redemptorist Associates for the Denver Province in January. I had an opportunity to visit them while I was conducting a program for the Sabbatical group this month at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson. Their enthusiasm for our charism is amazing – and they want to share it with other members of Our Lady of the Desert Community. More than 50 parishioners attended a presentation on Christ the Redeemer which I was asked to lead for the entire parish during my visit. The Circle of Redemptorist Associates plans to invite others to join them at their monthly gathering in February. There is a good chance that some of those who enjoyed the presentation will participate.

As the representative for the Denver Province, I encourage any community or ministry interested in forming a Circle of Redemptorist Associates to contact me and the Working Committee. We will gladly offer our help, and have a variety of resources and materials to share. For more information, please contact us at: PIM@Redemptorists-denver.org.