Lay Associates are individuals who are associated or affiliated with a religious community of brothers or sisters.  These associates do not take vows as members of the community do, but they do make a commitment to pray, learn and serve with members of the religious community and to emulate the community's charisms, principles or values in their personal and public lives. 
   Most communities require potential associates to engage in a period of discernment and preparation; the length of commitment varies.  Local members of lay associations usually meet regularly for prayer, study and discernment with a spiritual guide or director. Participation in a lay association often provides a way to deepen and practice one's faith for individuals who feel they have outgrown or are unwelcome in their local parish and for individuals who desire to be "spiritual but not religious."

   The following are lay associations in eastern Iowa:

• Associates of the Iowa Cistercians are affiliated with New Melleray Abbey and Our Lady of the Mississppi Abbey near Dubuque.  Members of the Lay Cistercians seek to enrich their spiritual lives by adopting a contemplative lifestyle and other spiritual practices of the Rule of St. Benedict and the Cistercian tradition that are compatible with a non-monastic lifestyle. Members meet once a month for prayer, lectio, study and discussion.
> Contact: Teresa McMahon at thmcmahon@q.com.  
> Information online at: www.aicassociates.org/.

• Associates of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM Associates) form a community of believers with Sisters who embrace the gospel vision as lived out through the charism of their foundress, Mary Frances Clarke.  Associates offer Sisters and one another friendship and support through prayer and service to others; Sisters offer Associates the opportunity for shared prayer, friendship, and community, as well as mutual support in ministry. Both are enriched by opening themselves to relationships centered on the BVM charism and core values of freedom, education, charity, and justice.
> Contact: Office of Association. 563-588-2351x5498 or bvmassociates@bvmcong.org
> Information online at: https://www.bvmsisters.org/get-involved/bvm-association/

• Associates of the Sisters of Mercy are women and men who discern a call from God to actively engage in a commitment to mercy within a formal relationship with the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy Associates respond to the Gospel invitation of Jesus to minister to those who are poor, sick and uneducated through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Associates live out their commitments in independent lifestyles, answering the call to mercy within the context of their daily lives. Associates and Sisters support one another in prayer, ministry and community, united in their desire to become more compassionate women and men by witnessing to God’s mercy in the world.
> Contact: Sacred Heart Motherhouse in Cedar Rapids. 319-364-5196
> Information online at: https://www.sistersofmercy.org/get-involved/mercy-associates/

• Associates of the Sisters of the Presentation are affiliated with the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque.  Presentation Associates include lay women and men who believe in the mission of the community's foundress, Nano Nagle.  Grounded in prayer, associates support and encourage one another as they seek to embody the Presentation charisms of radical hospitality, compassion and justice while continuing to live in their own lifestyle. 
> Contact: Presentation Associates Office in Dubuque.  563-588-2008.
> Information online at: https://dbqpbvms.org/be-an-associate/

• Associates of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family are women and men from all walks of life who share the values and spirit of St. Francis. Together they embrace the charisms of St. Francis and St. Clare as they live the Gospel in their daily lives. Associates make a commitment to integrate the Franciscan charism while remaining in their own lifestyle. They bond with the Sisters of St. Francis and each other  through faith sharing, prayer, study, service and congregational celebrations.
> Contact: Franciscan Charism Team in Dubuque.  563-583-9786 or schmidtl@osfdbq.org
> Information at http://www.osfdbq.org/join-us/as-a-franciscan-associate/

• Third Order Dominicans or Dominican Tertiaries (now commonly called Lay Dominicans) are men and women, singles and couples who share in the charism of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa by living the four Dominican “pillars” of prayer, study, ministry, and community. Associates incorporate these four pillars in their life and work; they participate in local prayer groups with other Associates and Sisters, are involved in the study of Dominican life and mission, serve as members of boards, committees, and task forces at Dominican institutions and support the ministries of other Associates;
> Contact: Relationships for Mission Office at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.  rfm@sinsinawa.org
> Information online at: https://www.sinsinawa.org/join-us/associates.html

Last Update: 06.11.19