Apostles for Today - June

Apostles for Today

June 2014

New Evangelization and New Life in Christ

For some time, new evangelisation has become a burning issue on the order of the day. There is talk of its genesis, its urgency, its raison d’être, its methods, its essential content, to mention only a few issues related to it. Some treat it in connection with other subjects such as the mission "ad gentes", or better "intergentes", consecrated life, the laity, conversion, etc. In the Pallottine family in particular, this theme has often been treated in relation to the figure of Pallotti or to the Pallottine charism. In a similar vein, we wish to talk about the new evangelization in relation to another subject which, incidentally, is suitable for this Easter season which we are currently celebrating: new life in Christ. The following question will guide our reflection: what relationship is there between the new evangelisation and new life in Christ? In seeking a possible answer, we will first begin by clarifying the range of our key terms, in order finally to show that the new evangelisation both presupposes new life in Christ and leads to it.

New evangelisation

From the outset, with Benedict XVI, we wish to clarify that "new evangelisation cannot mean: immediately attracting the large masses that have distanced themselves from the Church by using new and more refined methods". Because the history of the Church itself teaches us that "large things always begin from the small seed, and mass movements are always ephemeral".[1] The new evangelisation refers rather to "the courage to forge new paths in responding to the changing circumstances and conditions facing the Church in her call to proclaim and live the Gospel today". It also refers to the capacity "of recapturing in our times the courage and forcefulness of the first Christians and the first missionaries". In this sense, the new evangelisation is "synonymous with renewed spiritual efforts in the life of faith within the local Churches, starting with a process to discern the changes in various cultural and social settings and their impact on Christian life, to reread the memory of faith and to undertake new responsibilities and generate new energies to joyously and convincingly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ".[2] Finally, the new evangelisation implies the proclamation of Christ based on witness of life. In other words, a way of living the Christian life which, to paraphrase Saint Peter, wins over, without words, those who refuse to believe in the Word (1Pt 3:1).

New life in Christ 

In its turn, the new life in Christ consists above all in the life given to us on the day of our baptism.[3] That day we were buried with Christ in death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too would live a new kind of existence (Rm 6:4). However, it does not involve a static life given immutably once and for all. Rather, it is dynamic, to such an extent that whoever lives it becomes disposed towards a spiritual development which attains the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, towards maturity. It is a life which tends to incarnate Christ in all of his aspects, with a view to coming one day to the full stature of Christ (cf. Ep. 4:13). Borrowing the idea of Saint Vincent when speaking of a soul (a person) introduced into new life in Christ, it means that "Jesus Christ continues his life in that soul, lives in it and applies his merits and his most holy works to it".[4]

The new evangelisation presupposes the new life in Christ

As John Paul II put it so well, "The urgency of missionary activity derives from the radical newness of life brought by Christ and lived by his followers. This new life is a gift from God, and people are asked to accept and develop it, if they wish to realize the fullness of their vocation in conformity to Christ^".[5] This implies that it "is not possible to bear witness to Christ without reflecting his image, which is made alive in us by grace and the power of the Spirit".[6] Before proclaiming the Gospel, it must first penetrate the life of the evangeliser. Otherwise, the new evangelisation will not be possible because, taking up again the position of the Lineamenta of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelisation, what is not believed or lived cannot be transmitted. The sign of a well-rooted and mature faith is precisely the naturalness with which we communicate it to others. When we have experienced "being" with Jesus, we "feel" compelled to speak of him, proclaiming and sharing what we have lived with Him and in Him. Having experienced our intimate relationship with Him as something good and positive and beautiful[7], it is not possible to resist bearing witness to the proclamation even if it costs our life itself. This is why we say that the new evangelisation presupposes the new life in Christ.

Accordingly, no proposed "new evangelization" can disregard this need: to have men and women who have met Christ, who are conscious of having been touched in such a personal and profound way by Him and remain convinced that there is no other reality that competes for his attention; that there is no relationship, no power, no good, which can occupy the centre of their lives except God and Jesus Christ the Saviour. In addition, any initiative of new evangelization requires us to be in constant contact with Christ in prayer, since "evangelisation is done on one's knees".[8]

New evangelisation leads to new life in Christ

If new evangelisation presupposes new life in Christ, we could also safely say that it also leads to this new life. In fact, the proclamation of the Good News, the witness of life of those who lead a new life in Jesus Christ and who commit themselves to the new evangelisation, stirs up "irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live: Why are they like this? Why do they live in this way? What or who is it that inspires them? Why are they in our midst?"[9] In the majority of cases these questions lead to a new direction in life, a new life in Jesus Christ, a profound conversion. Let us remember once again with Benedict XVI that the Greek word for "conversion" means rethink - to put into discussion one's ordinary style and way of life: letting God enter into the criteria of one's own life; not just judging on the basis of current opinion. Conversion therefore means: not living as everyone else lives, not doing what everyone else does, not feeling justified in doubtful actions by the fact that others are doing the same thing; but, rather, beginning to look at one's own life through the eyes of God; always seeking the good, even if it disturbs; not basing oneself on the judgement of the crowd, of human beings, but on the judgement of God - in other words, finding a new style of life, a new life. The latter, in turn, implies: coming out of self-sufficiency, discovering and accepting our own poverty - the poverty of others and of the Other, discovering his forgiveness, his friendship.[10] Thus, new life in Jesus as evidenced by participants in the new evangelization causes a change of life, leads to a new life in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion 

What emerges from our reflection is that the new evangelisation is an urgent priority for today's Church. Nevertheless, it is necessary to be aware that it presupposes new life in Christ and leads to it. However, in order that it may lead to it effectively, the new evangelisation must use "a language of mercy which is expressed in gestures and attitudes"[11] that convey the message to be transmitted, rather than mere words. Our contemporaries about whom Paul VI spoke during the 1970s have not changed so much: they are still tired of hearing, have had their fill of talk and even worse, are impervious to words. As in the recent past, they listen "more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if [they do] listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses"; they better understand the language of facts and of life than that of words.[12]

Questions for personal and/or community reflection:

a)     If no proposed new evangelisation can disregard the need to have women and men who have met Christ, who are conscious of having been touched by Him in a truly personal and profound way, am I (are we) really striving enough to make this meeting with Christ effective?

b)    The new evangelisation should use "a language of mercy which is expressed in gestures and attitudes". What gestures and attitudes might be significant in circumstances of your life?

                                              P. Eugène Niyonzima, SAC

                                              D. R. of Congo

---

[1] Address of H.E. Card. Joseph Ratzinger to Catechists and Religion Teachers on the theme of the new evangelisation, Jubilee of Catechists, 12 December 2000.

[2] Lineamenta of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelisation, 5.

[3] Cf. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, n°1694.

[4] OOCC III, 37.

[5] Redemptoris Missio, 7.

[6] Redemptoris Missio, 87.

[7] Cf. Lineamenta of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelisation, 12.

[8] Cf. Homily of Pope Francis during Mass with seminarians and novices, Vatican Basilica, Sunday, July 7th 2013.

[9] Evangelii Nuntiandi, 21.

^[10] Op. cit., Card. JOSEPH RATZINGER, The new Evangelisation.

[11] Cf. POPE FRANCIS, Address to the participants of the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for         Promoting the New Evangelisation, Clementine Hall, October 14th, 2013.

[12] Cf. Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41-42.

____________________________________________________

Segretariato Generale, Unione dell’Apostolato Cattolico

Piazza San Vincenzo Pallotti 204, Roma, Italia    uac@uniopal.org

	Apostles for Today May 2014

Mary, Star of the New Evangelization

    

    Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, begins with the call to share this “joy of the Gospel” and ultimately the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. He ends the exhortation with the place that Mary has as Star of the New Evangelization and as the Mother of the Church which evangelizes. Like Vincent Pallotti, the Pope sees Mary as central to the spirit and understanding of the new evangelization. As members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, we recognize the same call given to us by God, Infinite Love, through the charism bestowed on our Founder .

    At the time of St. Vincent Pallotti, the challenges in the area of faith matched our own. Although there was no talk of a global society or a technological age, the widespread lack of faith was a fact both in the internal life of the Church and in the societal attitude. It went far beyond the boundaries of the Vatican and of Rome. So like us, Pallotti had to confront what existed then and there. The inspiration that God gave him included a response to the times : real people and real situations. Similar to the period of Pallotti’s call, the concrete world around us is crying out to us for a witness to the presence of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, who not only walks among us, but who walks with us in life’s journey. The task in 2014 is not different from the one that Founder faced in the 1800’s:

    -- To give new life to faith

    -- To ignite a new spark to love

    -- To launch a new thrust to unity in Christ Jesus

    Vincent envisions all of this happening with the presence of Mary in the Church, the Body of Christ, and therefore, within in our hearts as members of that Body. It is the Mary who is mother to Jesus and who now “mothers us” according to the image of her Son. It is the same Mary of Evangelii Gaudium (no. 287)who is the woman of faith and who lives and advances in faith. She is the one who with her Son walks at our side, shares our struggles and constantly surrounds us with God’s love (cf. EG no. 286).

    With the challenge before us to proclaim Jesus to the world , Mary continues to be the guiding light that points to the Holy Spirit on a journey of faith towards a destiny of service and fruitfulness (EG 287).

    

    Vincent presents that same light to us in the Marian icon of Nazareth as the place of the preparation of Jesus for his mission where both she and Joseph help lay the solid foundation to acquire the “true value of things” [Cf. OOCC VII, p. 112]. We live with Jesus of Nazareth in humility and in obedience to the Heavenly Father in this experience of the Holy Family – in submission to the Virgin Mother Mary and to St. Joseph his foster father [OOCC XIII, p. 129]. We seek a relationship with other apostles as members of the same Pallottine family – a family on an apostolic mission.

    With the reality of a global society that is has lost a sense of God, Mary, Queen of Apostles invites us once again to receive the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost and Pallotti invites us to be with her and with the Spirit in the same Cenacle of Jerusalem – a place of divine power -- right where we are.

“Wherever I shall be, I intend to imagine myself to be

    together with all creatures in the Cenacle in Jerusalem

    where the apostles received the Holy spirit. I shall remind

    myself to renew this desire often. As the apostles were with Mary, so will I be in spirit with my beloved Mother and          Jesus. As they are my special intercessors, I am confident     that they will help me and all other creatures to receive the   abundance of the Holy Spirit.

    [OOCC X, p. 86]

    So Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, leads us as a Pallottine family to the following:

•   To say “Yes” in a Cenacle atmosphere to proclaiming Jesus to our world

•   To be present in the Cenacle of today’s Jerusalem so as to receive power

•   To join Mary at the Crucifixion within today’s society for the salvation of the world

    Finally, in our brief reflection, we come together with both Pope Francis and our Founder to take on Pallotti’s inspiration – with the help of Mary, Queen of Apostles, -- to collaborate with everyone for the greater glory of God and in every work like an evangelical trumpet calling all, inviting all, reawakening the zeal and charity of all […], so that in proportion to the various needs of the Church of Jesus Christ in all times, present and future, all may co-operate constantly and effectively with every greater zeal […] with all those evangelical undertakings of Catholic Apostolate [OOCC I, pp. 4-5].

Sr. Carmel Therese Favazzo, CSAC

Rome, Italy

Questions for personal and community reflection:

Ø   What are the similarities in the above reflection between Vincent Pallotti’s image of Mary as apostle and that of Pope Francis’ references to Mary as star of the new evangelization?

Ø   How do these images help us renew our own vocation to be apostles in the call of the Church to New Evangelization?

Ø   In what ways can we join St. Vincent’s view of Mary, Queen of Apostles with that of Pope Francis’ view of Mary as Star of the New Evangelization? What kind of action do they call for on our part to “give new life to faith, a new spark to love and a new thrust to unity” so that Jesus Christ may be known and loved by all?

Prayer [cf. Evangelii Gaudium No. 288]:

    Mary, Queen of Apostles

And Star of the New Evangelization,

Help us to bear radiant witness to communion,

Service, ardent and generous faith,

Justice and love of the poor,

that the joy of the Gospel

may reach to the ends of the earth,

illuminating even the fringes of our world.

Mother of the living Gospel,

Wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,

Pray for us. Amen. Alleluia.

                    ____________________________________________________

Segretariato Generale, Unione dell’Apostolato Cattolico

Piazza San Vincenzo Pallotti 204, Roma, Italia    uac@uniopal.org

April  2014

      Dear sisters and brothers in the Union, we are happy to present to you in this newsletter a sharing about the South American Institute of Pallottine Studies, Santa Maria, Brazil, prepared by Fr. Ângelo Lôndero SAC, along with other news from the Union.

 1. THE SOUTH AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PALLOTTINE STUDIES, SANTA MARIA, BRAZIL

The South American Institute of Pallottine Studies was founded on February 1st 1992 in the city of Cascavel, PR, Brazil, with representatives of the Provinces/Regions of the Pallottine Priests and Brothers in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and of the Provinces of the Pallottine Sisters in Brazil.

Given that hardly any people can go to Rome to study Vincent Pallotti and his foundation more deeply, the General Assembly of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (SAC) of 1989, the theme of which was "Together we journey: together we serve" insisted that the Provinces/Regions of the SAC establish a common programme of Pallottine formation. A centre of studies in Brazil would offer the possibility of greater participation. During the Assembly of the Santa Maria Province, held in January 1992, there was a consensus regarding the foundation of the aforementioned Institute: ISEP.

The course is run in the Colegio Maximo Palotino (Major Seminary), of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

The general objective of the courses in ISEP is to offer to all members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate present in South America a lived experience and a deepening of their knowledge of the life, the work, the foundation, the charism and spirituality of St. Vincent Pallotti.

Beyond the general objective, there are specific objects, such as:

1.         To facilitate direct contact with the Pallottine sources in order better to understand our mission in the Church and in the world of today.

2.         To foster reflection on and lived experience of the mission of continuers of the work of Vincent Pallotti.

3.         To promote communication and communion between members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate in Latin America.

4.         To put into practice the "return to the sources" proposed by the Second Vatican Council, to better understand the original inspiration of Vincent Pallotti.

5.         To stimulate and continue the process of conversion to the evangelical life, to pastoral conversion, which requires changes in the way of living and of carrying out pastoral work.

6.         To form multipliers of this knowledge in order to spread the charism and the spirituality of St. Vincent Pallotti.

The Institute is open to all members and supporters of the Union of Catholic Apostolate. It is a centre of Pallottine formation and of community living which aims to help in the formation of evangelisers according to the charism and spirituality of St. Vincent Pallotti.

The courses offered by ISEP are of fundamental importance for the progress of the Union of Catholic Apostolate in Latin America, according to the testimony of different participants.

The courses offered are in three stages, during the month of July. The length of the courses is from 10 to 25 days. More than 1000 people have already participated in ISEP, between lay people, sisters, brothers and priests, young people and adults, of 12 nationalities, coming from different countries and from many regions of Brazil.

Witness of participants: “The days during which I participated in the ISEP Course were, for me, inspirational and provocative, because the words which came out of the mouths of the speakers regarding St. Vincent Pallotti were so deep that my heart beat more strongly, my being became more luminous and light, and my eyes brighter. By this I want to say that Pallotti was a person totally united to God, to Jesus Christ and to Mary, as also to the poor and the sick. Now this light of Pallotti remains alight in heart, motivating me too to follow Jesus Christ, Apostle of the Eternal Father”.

“I see in the ISEP courses an effective instrument for concretising the Pallottin charism: awaken in all the consciousness that they are apostles”.

“We were challenged to bring the infinite love of God to all communities, with determination and faith. Participation in the ISEP courses has enriched us as people and as Christians, and helped us to be missionary disciples, with the apostolic zeal of St. Vincent Pallotti”.

“Through my work as an educator, ISEP has made me learn more about Vincent Pallotti and allowed a revision and an awareness of human and Christian education. What values ​​should I pass on to my students? What examples of faith, love and life are necessary in the pursuit of my highest goal, in order that the life of Jesus Christ be my fundamental rule? It was through ISEP that I could review these questions, and understand that these challenges “Education is also Evangelisation”.

 

2. RECTOR GENERAL APPOINTED MEMBER OF CONGREGATION FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE:

In a letter dated February 25^th 2014, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Jacob Nampudakam SAC to be a member of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for a period of five years. This nomination is particularly significant since the Holy Father has dedicated 2015 as a “Year of Consecrated Life”. This significant and historical event is certainly another sign of the recognition of the Pallottine charism by the Universal Church and, at the same time, is a challenge to the entire Pallottine Family “to revive faith and rekindle charity” in our own lives as well as in the entire Church, always in the spirit of the Gospel. The Pallottine Family expresses its joy and congratulations to the Rector General and assures him of our prayerful support for his new responsibility in service of the Universal Church.

 

3. NEWPROVINCE OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE IN INDIA

On 21 April 2014, the birthday of St. Vincent Pallotti, the new Indian "Holy Family" Province of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate was born. Fr. Jacob Nampudakam SAC led a solemn Eucharistic celebration in SS. Salvatore in Onda in gratitude to God for the new Province which was attended by a large number of members of the Pallottine Family. The General Superior, Sr. Ivete Garlet CSAC, thanked the Provincial Superior of the “Queen of Apostles” Mother Province, Sr. Sara Carfagna CSAC, and all the members in Italy for all they have done in leading the community in India with much care and vision to this day. In his homily, the Rector General emphasised the importance of maintaining the international and universal Pallottine spirit in the new Province and called on the members to remain always open to the Holy Spirit in its future development. We wish every blessing to the new Provincial, Sr M. Ligi Tottakath CSAC, to her Councillors and to all members of the new Province.

 

4. FR. BRUNO ATEBA NOMINATED BISHOP OF MAROUA-MOKOLO, CAMEROON       

In a letter dated 3 April 2014, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Bruno Ateba Edo SAC, Regional Rector of the Most Holy Trinity Region of Cameroon and Nigeria, Bishop of the diocese of Maroua-Mokolo, Cameroon. Fr. Bruno was elected the first Regional Rector of the new Region in 2008 and is currently in his second term of office. 2014 is particularly significant for the Pallottines in Cameroon with the celebration of about 125 years of the foundation of the Catholic Church there by the Pallottines, the 100th anniversary of the death of Bishop Heinrich Vieter, founder of the Pallottine mission there, and 50 years of the return of the German Pallottines to the country. It is also the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the second Pallottine Bishop in Cameroon, Msgr Franz Henemann. The appointment of Fr. Bruno as Bishop in Cameroon can be considered a special gift of the Holy Father to the Society and to the entire Pallottine Family on this occasion. However, it will also be a very challenging responsibility, with news that two Italian priests and one Canadian religious sister were kidnapped on April 5th from that very diocese, probably by the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram which has committed atrocities in Nigeria against church goers and schoolchildren among others. We pray for their safe return and ask Mary, Queen of Apostles, Patroness of Cameroon as well as of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, and our holy Founder, St. Vincent Pallotti to accompany and guide Fr. Bruno in the exercise of his ministry as Bishop.

 

5. ANNUAL UAC RETREAT ITALY

The annual retreat of the Union in Italy took place in the “San Vincenzo Pallotti” Spirituality Centre, Grottaferrata, outside Rome, from April 24-27, 2014. The retreat was organised by Sr. Stella Marotta CSAC and the Formation Team, with different LCCs taking turns to animate the various times of prayer and Eucharistic celebrations, and the meditations given by Fr. Reinaldo Baggio SAC of the Brazilian Sao Paolo Province, who is in charge of retreats at the centre.

Wishing you all a very Blessed Easter! May we always remember that the Lord promised to be with us on our Journey!

                                    Apostles for Today 

Reflections for April 2014

New Evangelization and Conversion

I begin my reflection with the Plan of Evangelization of the Church of Cascavel, PR, Brazil, (2012-2016): “Evangelizing, beginning from Jesus Christ, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, as a missionary, prophetic, disciple Church, nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, in light of the evangelical preferential option for the poor, so that all may have life, (Jn 10:10) on the way towards the definitive Kingdom”.

Among the proposed actions, I will take two which are envisaged and which indicate the path of the entire Diocese: “Parish in a permanent state of mission and Parish, place of biblical inspiration for life and for pastoral work”.

The first of these finds expression in the happy affirmation of Pope Francis, during WYD Rio 2013, when he said: “Go, without fear, to serve. And it is necessary to smell the odor of the sheep”. In the " Document of Aparecida " (DA), the bishops stated that "the pilgrim Church is missionary by nature, because it has its origin in the mission of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, according to the plan of the Father (AG2). Therefore, the missionary impulse is part of the life which the Blessed Trinity communicates to disciples, through Baptism. In order to concretize the evangelizing action, groups of reflection, of families, of biblical study and of other types display great effectiveness in making the parish and the baptized be missionary, with visits to families, in welcoming new inhabitants until all are treated as people, with an address and with a place in the life of the community.

The second of these, biblical inspiration in life and in pastoral work, gives priority to formation, to knowledge and to maturation in faith. The people formed in faith should become similar to Jesus and constantly choose in his favor: “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Ga 2:20). Pope Francis affirms: “The Church’s closeness to Jesus is part of a common journey; “communion and mission are profoundly interconnected”. In fidelity to the example of the Master, it is vitally important for the Church today to go forth and preach the Gospel to all: to all places, on all occasions, without hesitation, reluctance or fear. The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded.” (EG 23).

St. Vincent Pallotti, in the Appeals of 1835 and 1836, stated that all, great and small, learned, students, workers, rich and poor, priests, lay people, religious and seculars, merchants and businessmen, officials, artists and craftsmen, communities and individuals, each one in their own state and condition, according to their own gifts, can dedicate themselves to the works of the Catholic Apostolate in order to revive faith, rekindle charity and propagate throughout the world. The dream of a missionary Church, according to Pope Francis, consists in her being completely at the service of evangelisation and not trapped in her own structures, that pastoral work, independently of what name it is given, be wider and more open, with an express orientation so that those who participate in it go out on mission and bring to all people the joyful proclamation of the Gospel.

The great novelty that the Church proclaims to the world is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, made man, Word and Life, has come into the world to make us "sharers in the divine nature" (2Pt 1:4), and so that we might participate in his very life. The proclamation of the kerygma invites us to become aware of the great and life-giving love of God which is offered to us in Christ, died and risen.

The Church is animated by the Holy Spirit with the most diverse gifts and charisms for its edification, spreading the salvific ministry of the Lord, until he comes at the end of time (1Cor 1:6-7). The Holy Spirit awakens and forms in the Church decisive and courageous missionaries like the first Apostles, showing the places which need to be evangelized and choosing those who must do it (At 13:2). God gives talents to everyone and invites all to multiply them. The Church, marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit, opens the doors of salvation to the faithful. St. Paul says to us in 2 Cor 3:3: “you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God”. It is the same Spirit which enlightens, which enlivens, which guides, which strengthens and which reminds the Church of the marvels which God has revealed to humankind.

God works wonders for Mary, she who is full of grace, the Mother of evangelisation. She, making herself available as the handmaid of the Lord, was with the disciples in the Cenacle and, with them, received the Holy Spirit, the sending, the mission, and was present at the birth of the Church (Ac 1:14). Marian devotion and the prayer of the Rosary have kept many people and families in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing them to salvation. Therefore, in her many apparitions, Mary has manifested God's desire for the salvation of all. She never puts herself at the center, but always points towards the center of life: Jesus Christ! Food for fruitful evangelisation is to be found in prayer, in the Word of God and in the Eucharist. All who nourish themselves in prayer, who feed on the Word and the Eucharist, realize the will of God and live in communion with God.

Innovation in evangelisation, by the grace of God, will occur by beginning from conversion. There is a path to be followed and it is worth highlighting the path of returning to our origins, of returning to the house of the Lord, taking up once more the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of the joyful welcoming of the baptismal mission of going without fear in order to serve the shattering of the structures which enslave and generate death, the humility of allowing the free action of the Word of God instead of manipulating the Spirit and, equally, of receiving the mercy of God and living it out with others, love for the poor, without exclusion, the effort so that religion be at the service of all, overcoming ritualism in view of an authentic ecclesial charity. In summary: conversion to Our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires that all may have life and have it in abundance.

Lastly, this all presupposes a conversion sufficiently radical to lead to an appreciation of the positive aspects of evangelisation discussed above and the strength and courage to welcome and practice the Gospel values ?? necessary for Jesus Christ to be known, loved and accepted by all. This new evangelisation requires changes in understanding, in commitment, in action, at all levels in the Church, through the example and witness of our own lives.

Fr. Romeu Ulrich, SAC

Brazil

Questions for personal and community reflection:

• Where do we see the greatest need for conversion in our lives?
• In the life of our community? In the life of the Church at all levels?

• Do we really experience the call to a pastoral and missionary conversion as a burning priority - for ourselves, for our community, for the Union of Catholic Apostolate, for the wider Church? How are we responding concretely to this call and what further do we plan to do to put it into action?

•  Pope Francis reminds us that a lack of solidarity towards the needs of the poor will directly affect our relationship with God, that an authentic faith is never comfortable or completely personal, but always involves a deep desire to change the world, that each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society (EG 187, 182-183). How are we responding concretely to this call and what further do we plan to do to put it into action?

Prayer:

Transform our hearts, O Lord. Create in us a pure heart, a heart free from pettiness and selfishness and fear, a heart full of your tenderness and compassion, deeply convinced of the truth of the Gospel and fully committed to living out its demands and challenges in daily life. Grant us, as individuals, as a community, as a Church, that pastoral conversion needed to renew all things in you; grant us the heart of true apostles, of authentic disciples and witnesses, so that we may be instruments of your solidarity and hope, your peace and justice, your truth and reconciliation, your tenderness and joy and love in a world that, often without knowing it, cries out for you and longs for the coming of your Kingdom. Amen.

____________________________________________________

Piazza San Vincenzo Pallotti 204, Roma, Italia uac@uniopal.org

Segretariato Generale, Unione dell’Apostolato Cattolico

UAC NEWSLETTER UAC Newsletter March 2014

 Dear sisters and brothers in the Union,

       we are happy to present to you in this newsletter a sharing regarding the pastoral initiative called the " Project Vincent I" in Codó, Brazil, prepared by Francisco Ferreira dos Santos, along with other news from the Union.

 1. PROJECT VINCENT I

            Charity and love are our way of educating. Our commitment is to restore hope to life and to believe that a better world exists; it depends only on a small gesture, yours and ours.

On March 8th, 2009, International Women's Day, in the chapel of St. Vincent Pallotti, Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, in the city of Codó, Maranhão State, north-eastern Brazil, a project was born: Vincent I. “When we dream alone it is only a dream. But when we dream together it is the beginning of a new reality”. We believe that this phrase of beloved Dom Helder Camara brilliantly summarises the mysticism of St. Vincent Pallotti! Everything began with a visit by the youth group, Juventude Palotina (Pallottine Youth), to one of the poorest areas of the district of Santa Teresinha. There were many children whose childhood was stolen because of degrading work in rubbish dumps. Children who cannot live as children but who became workers doing a humiliating job.

            It was here that the dream was born, a challenge was thrown down: give back to these children the right to be children, restore their dignity as human beings. We needed to reawaken their hearts, win their affection and their trust. We decided to visit them in their homes and at the end we invited them for a breakfast. In this we took our first step.

            On the morning of March 8th, 2009, the first activity of Project Vincent I took place with a prepared breakfast, yes with a certain anxiousness, but also with joy and great affection. We were astonished by the number of children who turned up, between 150 and 180, as we had prepared for the morning with about 40 to 50 children in mind... A little desperate, but at the same time very happy, we let "God be God among us" in that moment. I think that this experience changed our lives. A little bread, some packets of biscuits, a little bit of coffee and several bottles of milk, eight litres of soft drinks and much "love" was all that we had. It was sufficient, because in that moment, in exchange, we received from those children a marvellous smile of gratitude through a small word which they called us: "uncle/aunt" (meaning that they recognised a particular attention on the part of the volunteers and expresses a sense of closeness, affection, trust). This experience served This experience has served to develop our project, which has the following objective: to guarantee with absolute priority the implementation of the rights to life, health, food, education, sport, recreation, a professional culture, respect, dignity and to family and community life. We seek to promote all of the opportunities and structures to allow their physical, mental, moral, spiritual and social development in conditions of freedom and dignity.

            The second step was that of knowing the family environment of each child as well as their living conditions. The conditions to which they are exposed became apparent, such as drugs, illiteracy, prostitution, violence, criminality. From this the project came to life with lessons (reading, Portuguese, mathematics), catechesis, music workshops (guitar, flute and voice), crafts (making bracelets and pens decorated with thread), the organisation of breaks and recreation.

Finally, I can say that this experience done in community and in communion has and continues to transform us. We have experienced the presence of Christ in our midst through a new joy and a particular desire to improve the circumstances of many children who live in conditions far from human dignity and in total poverty, in every aspect imaginable.

            We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts the God of Life who saw fit to call us to this

mission, also as a realisation of the spirit of St. Vincent Pallotti as "Juventude Palotina", and also the many good people who put their trust in us, above all the benefactors who help our work with generosity. All for the infinite glory of God! Note: Presently, some of the activities mentioned above are not taking place because of a lack of resources to cover the expenses and the need for more volunteers.

Francisco Ferreira dos Santos – coordinator of Project Vincent I (in the name of the JP coordination team, Codó)

For further information please contact Fr. Jak Wasensteiner SAC at thiago.sac@hotmail.com or Fr. Antonio Diogo SAC at padrediogo@hotmail.com

2. Australia - letter addressing the issue of membership of the Union:

                After the recognition by the PCL of the Union as an international public association of the faithful and the approval of its General Statutes, the need arose to try to clarify whether those who had a longstanding relationship and collaboration with the Pallottine family in so many different ways wished to be considered members in the sense outlined in the General Statutes, simply because such formal membership includes particular rights and duties. This has been a delicate issue in some countries, with the concern that such an enquiry might, to some people, give the impression of somehow calling into question their relationship and collaboration with the Pallottine family over the years, and their future status. The experience in Australia has been interesting. During February of this year, the Australian NCC circulated a letter discussing membership of the Union and asking people who had been part of the Pallottine family for many years to complete a membership form if they wished to be identified as "formal" members. NCC President, Cheryl Sullivan, speaks of the positive outcome of this initiative: "I can only say, the response to this letter has been amazing and (from a personal perspective) life-giving, with so many giving the historical context of their membership and providing snippets of how they live this membership in their daily lives... clearly articulat[ing] a deep understanding of what the Pallottine Family (UAC) is all about, people living their vocation in their everyday life... Mr. Patrick Maguire, the NCC President in Ireland recently put our role/charism very succinctly when describing the work of the UAC he wrote: Pallotti is clear about the work we should be doing. First, we are to try to rekindle faith wherever and whenever we can. Second, we are to engage in charitable action that will make visible the reality of God in our world and be the face of Christ to all we encounter. Third, we must acknowledge the power of prayer and be committed to the apostolate of prayer so that our mission will always remain the very mission of Christ himself". In the final analysis, the most important thing is not whether one is a formal member of the Union or not, but whether one is a dedicated and authentic apostle and witness of Christ in daily life; the Union and its structures are there to try to help ensure that this is lived out in a community setting coordinated with others, since "reason and experience tell us that the good done alone is usually lacking, uncertain and of limited duration, and that the noblest efforts of individuals cannot bear fruit if they are not united and directed towards a common goal" (St. Vincent Pallotti).

3. Community of families from Starogard Gdański, northern Poland - Parenting Seminar

         During February, Iza Owczaruk, a member of the Union who is a psychologist and the mother of two almost grown children, conducted a series of workshops on parenting in a community of families from Starogard Gdański who recently expressed a desire to begin UAC formation (cf. UAC Newsletter - November 2013). The workshops were devoted to relations between parents and their adolescent children, and were divided into two parts - the first attended only by parents, and the second also by their teenagers. "The workshops primarily made ​​us aware of the fact that our teenage children do not have an easy life, that they are very vulnerable, having to face us, the world and others. Iza reminded us of what we all knew somewhere in our subconscious: about building good relationships, determining boundaries, encourage cooperation, learning to think about and bear the consequences of decisions and actions. We also tried to analyse the specific needs of our children which we face on a daily basis and to look for healthy solutions. We also talked about feelings, how to accept and deal with them. The second part of the workshop in which parents and their teenagers participated together was very interesting, a great experience that palpably helped to renew sincere relationships, hopefully resulting in permanent change. Particularly positive was the workshop style, during which we had to role play scenes from the life of teenagers, trying to understand and experience their feelings and needs" (Goshia and Medard, parents). "I liked the workshops conducted by Ms. Iza very much. She showed us that we and our parents really want the same thing. We want to get along. She also helped us to realise that all disputes can be resolved through dialogue and a willingness to compromise. An important point of the workshop was writing letters, and then reading the letters to and from our parents. In many cases, this was accompanied by tears of emotion. I think that such meetings are very important and hope that they will help communication between the generations" (Olga, 15 years).