Unaffiliated Affiliates - What's This About?

“...not all affiliates are in a place that has an affiliate chapter.  It would be wise to consider that for the future.” (Fr. Bob Kus)

The above quote points to a lingering question that has been with Affiliate leaderships for several years now.  ‘How do we consider (embrace is a better word) Affiliates who do not belong to a specific chapter – geographic or virtual?’ Most of these Affiliates were once in a chapter but either moved away or their chapter became inactive.  A few were never in a chapter but are attracted to the Maryknoll Affiliate charism and, in that, consider themselves to be Affiliates. Interestingly, a substantial number who filled out the recent Affiliate Census fit into this outside-the-chapter category.

 In a way, this is a good dilemma to have because it challenges us to look beyond the chapter model as the exclusive (only) way to be an Affiliate.  While the chapter model will stay in place as the primary model, we are looking for creative, meaningful ways to incorporate those who are not attached to a specific chapter.

 As for Fr. Bob, in a recent email he wrote this:

 On another note, I am creating a small campus (Holy Cross) on a few acres of land the cardinal of Tegucigalpa (Oscar Andrés Rodríguez) let me have to use for whatever I wanted.  One of the main functions of the campus is to have space for "mission retreats," especially for Americans.  I have 2 beautiful casitas for visitors (see attached photo).  Both have air conditioning (as Reitoca is always hot), 2 full-size beds, a kitchen with microwave, stove, refrigerator, etc., shower with hot water, desk, and covered porch.  My dream is to have visitors come who'd like to get a taste of the Church in a different culture.  I'd take them to Mass in the various places I celebrate Mass, and we'd have time for reflection, meals, relaxation, site-seeing, etc.  Perhaps after the pandemic I'll be plugging it.

To repeat his quote: “...not all affiliates are in a place that has an affiliate chapter.”

Fr. Bob’s Casitas in Honduras