Associate Recommitment & New Director
December 08, 2023
This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections
Each year in late October, the associate community comes together to recommit themselves to an ongoing relationship with the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. They began their day by bringing food donations for the Mother Agnes Pantry at Marian University, before focusing on the day’s theme: Blessings and Hopes—A Deeper Look. Together, the group reflected on the blessings and hopes that had been identified during their June Visioning Day and committed to manifesting them while also remaining open to an unfolding future.
Just a few weeks earlier, the new Director of Associate Relationship was named. Kelly Robe has served as a home circle leader, member of the Coordinating Body, leader of the Associate Social Justice Circle, member of JPIC, solar array docent, adopt-a-highway volunteer, and member of the CSA Days planning committee. She felt drawn to being an associate after attending an Associate Fair at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality in De Pere and learned about this community of people who wanted to deepen their spirituality and connected with CSA's mission, charism, and spirituality.
She brings a background in coaching, project work, training and development from 20 years of experience in a corporate environment. Kelly earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Drake University before quitting law school to care for a relative with cancer. She is a life coach, certified integrative nutrition health coach, and certified Infinite Possibilities trainer. In her personal time, she enjoys swimming, reading, growing avocado plants, and spending time with friends and family.
Amid increasing uncertainty, she believes associates are called to be leaders and protectors of love. "Never underestimate what God can do with a small group of committed people!"
The timing of Kelly’s hiring allows her to begin in the role with a renewed commitment from all associates and with clarity from the October gathering, where associates clearly identified a desire “to experience more fully the richness of the mission, charism, and spirituality of CSA, to deepen understanding of what it means to be in relationship with CSA, to welcome others who are called to be associates, and to open ourselves to our unfolding future and growth.”