RENEW International, which has developed Catholic faith-sharing resources for small groups for more than 40 years, has become the administrator of CUSA, an apostolate of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
The new partnership took effect on January 1, 2022. RENEW has created a team devoted to continuing the ministry of CUSA and expand its membership.
CUSA is a community of people who are chronically ill or who have physical or mental disabilities. CUSA was founded in the United States in 1947 by Mrs. Laure Brunner, who had belonged to a similar organization in her native Belgium before World War II. The Brunner Foundation continues supporting CUSA.
Each member, called CUSANs, belongs to one or more groups of eight or fewer people who participate in a round-robin letter via either postal mail or e-mail. As the letter circulates from one member to another, each CUSAN adds to it. Each group has a leader and a spiritual adviser.
CUSANs are encouraged to share the events of their lives as well as the faith that guides and supports them in illness or disability. Members are also encouraged to include a personal message to each of the other members each time they write.
In addition to the circular letters, members of the apostolate stay in touch through The CUSAN, a twice-yearly magazine containing letters, essays, poetry and other contributions from CUSA members and their advisors. CUSA also has its own website, www.cusan.org.
Administration of CUSA is now handled by Mare Ernesto, associate director of pastoral services at RENEW. Dolores Steinberg is editor of The CUSAN.
For more information about CUSA, write to CUSA@renewintl.org.