Report of the United States National Coordination Council

Of the Union of Catholic Apostolate – January 2015

The Variation and Growth of the UAC in the USA Over the Past Three Years

The UAC in the United States is comprised of 10 Local Coordination Councils. The councils are located in the following areas, the Upper Mid-West, (Wisconsin 3 LCC’s), the Northeastern area (New Jersey 3 LCC’s, New York 2 LCC’s), and the mid-Atlantic area (Maryland 2 LCC’s). Wisconsin’s membership has remained stable. New York has admitted two new members and New Jersey has remained stable. Maryland is showing some signs of renewed growth and currently has 5 new member candidates. Our LCC’s are supported by the Priests and Brothers of the Immaculate Conception and Mother of God Provinces and the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Province

The Areas of Pastoral  and Apostolic Mission of the UAC and the Diverse Forms of Apostolic Commitment of the Members

The LCC’s in the United States are involved in various forms of apostolic outreach programs. Members are engaged in ministering to the poor, the mentally challenged and providing support for children with serious and sometimes fatal illnesses. The purchasing by UAC members of coats, hats and gloves for poor inner city children is one example of outreach under taken this winter. Visiting Veteran’s Hospitals to read, write letters, converse or just watch television with the patients is another. Members visit with abused women and children in shelters, work in soup kitchens and are involved in various apostolic ministries in their respective dioceses. UAC members are active in their parishes as special ministers of the Eucharist at Mass, visiting hospitals and shut-ins at home to pray and serve the Eucharist. They serve on parish councils are active in their church choirs, volunteer as lectors, ushers, RCIA catechists and cantors. Many volunteer in the daily life of their parishes by transporting the elderly who can no longer drive to church; to help them shop and provide transportation to parish members for medical visits.

The members of the Core Communities of the UAC are present in the United States in two provinces, three delagatures, and one special local community of priests and brothers, a province of the CSAC and a province of the Missionary Sisters.  They are engaged in parishes, retreat work, education, evangelization, health care, and domestic and international missions.

The Horizons, Prospects and Perspectives of the National Coordination Council in the United States

Church attendance is a problem we all are facing. We are enthused by work of the New Evangelization and its potential to renew the spiritual life of Catholics, both active ones and inactive ones as well as draw others into greater engagement in the life of faith.  The Catholic Apostolate Center, a ministry of the Immaculate Conception Province of the priests and brothers, is working directly in this area at the national and diocesan levels of the United States and also assists the UAC in the English-speaking world through its web-based resources and publications.  The Center also provides presentations and retreats at their location, but does these activities and missions at the diocesan and parish levels, and online.  Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. is the Director of this Center.

A new Local Coordination Council is being formed in the state of Michigan by one of our NCC members Fr. Noel O’Conner, SAC. Father O’Connor currently has four to six active Catholic men and women who are working with him in this endeavor.

Our outlook for the future is very positive; our hope is that collaborating in the Church’s work of the New Evangelization, particularly by assisting active Catholics in becoming apostles so that they can bring people back to active life in parishes.  Those who are formed in this way are perfect potential members the UAC.

Robert H. Gay

President

USNCC/UAC

December 06, 2014