The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis welcomed nine new Franciscan associates on Sept. 28 during the morning liturgy in St. Francis of Assisi Church in Springfield. The new associates are Mary Contri, Helen Crusen, Amy Hermes, Kris Myszka and Erik Wagner, all of Springfield; Gloria Guy of Decatur; and Dan Dallich, Lynn Gonwa and Mike Winter of Green Bay, Wis.

"Our associates are men and women who choose to deepen their baptismal commitment by accepting God's call to live according to Jesus' Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and who strive to embody the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis' healing charism," explained RuthEllen Davis, associate coordinator.

"These nine associates join our family of 145 associates who embrace Franciscan values and the Hospital Sisters' healing spirit while bringing the compassion of Jesus to others in ways that fit their lifestyle," Davis added. Associates meet monthly to share their faith on spiritual and Franciscan topics, share in the Hospital Sisters' spirituality and join with them in prayer, community, celebration and ministry. Associates do not take vows.

Founded in 1987, Associates of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is a ministry that is open to baptized Christians 18 years or older with gatherings in Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Springfield and Streator; and Eau Claire, Green Bay and Sheboygan, Wis. For more information, please contact RuthEllen Davis at (217) 522-3387, ext. 664 or .