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Message from the General Coordination Council of the UAC |
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 Greetings to all the sisters and brothers in the UAC!
At this time we give thanks for our enriching and life-giving experiences at the General Congress which took place from 8 to 13 April 2010 in Rocca di Papa just outside Rome. Our presenters nourished us spiritually, intellectually and apostolically through their talks on the vision of St. Vincent Pallotti, what it means to be apostles and his view of mission. Then we were privileged to hear the witness and testimony of members and how they live out the mission of our Founder – in the formation of our members, in the missions abroad, in the lives of young people today, how we serve the local Church and how this mission can be lived out in the family.
Our one-day pilgrimage to Rome on Sunday 11th brought us into physical proximity with places which St. Vincent frequented during his life and ministry. To witness to the world and be part of the sea of UAC members and collaborators at the Sunday Regina Coeli in St. Peter's Square was an especially heart-warming experience. The celebration of the Eucharist in the central church of our faith, as an international UAC family, brought home the message that we are truly a child in union with the universal Church. We belong. PHOTO
The final morning presented us with concrete suggestions for our life in the Church today. May the talks and discussions inspire us and move us to action. May we give them life in our local parishes and UAC communities – truly from vision to mission – and in communion with Mary. Each country represented received a new image of Our Lady from another part of the UAC world. May she guide our prayers and lead us ever closer to Jesus, our Lord.
Shortly after the UAC General Congress in Rocca di Papa the members of the General Coordination Council gathered in the St. Vincent Pallotti Centre in Grottaferrata for their annual meeting. It was an experience of the Cenacle where all, enlightened by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by each others' presence, met again to read anew the signs of the times and to look for new ways in our Pallottine journey. The light of the Congress, the atmosphere and the enthusiasm accompanied us as we evaluated these rich days of Pallottine encounter and programmed the future.
During our meeting we recognized that the time had come when we, members of the Union, must go ahead from vision to the mission, to serve the Church, in the Church and be the Church, together.
Therefore, we all desire to bring this burning fire from the Congress to our countries, groups, parishes and families: we want to become the visible apostles of today and witnesses of hope in the Church through the Union. Our mission is to serve together in communion those who are in need, especially the families, youth and children. To be able to do this let us open our hearts to the merciful love of God the Father.
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