Memories of a Very Simple Beginning

By:  Peg Madigan, A-cnd

When recently asked to share an article on the founding of ARCAN (Atlantic Religious Congregation Associate Networking) I was flooded with memories of our very simple beginning.  

As Sr. Alma MacLellan CND and I were working as co-coordinators in Associate Relationship we had often wondered how other congregations were making out in this relatively new venture. After a time of discernment, letters were sent off to our Maritime communities to invite those who were involved in associate leadership to gather together for a two day sharing session with us in Pictou.
We began our meeting with prayer followed by a very open agenda, which offered lots of opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and ended with plans to gather again.

From these simple beginnings ARCAN has grown into a vibrant network for all religious and associates in Atlantic Canada.

At a recent ARCAN Conference, Margie Gillis-sc, presented an overview of ARCAN:

‘ARCAN owes some measure of gratitude to it founders, Alma MacLellan CND & Peg Madigan CND Associate. Twelve years ago when they came up with the idea, it was new, it was a risk.  As with most things of this sort one usually doesn’t realize it’s significance, it’s future value, until much later.
It’s rather interesting perhaps even prophetic that the original committee members chose the word ‘networking’ to describe this new Atlantic wide accumulation of sisters and their associate.’

Both Alma and I would like to thank the ARCAN Committee sisters and associates who have attended and worked so hard in building and keeping the spirit of ARCAN alive and growing.  May ARCAN continue to grow and deepen in it’s mission and vision of associate relationship.