The sixth ordinary General Assembly of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate, with the theme Synodality: journeying together as People of God, was held from 13- 20 March 2022 at the Generalate of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters in Rome. There were about 40 participants together with the three Superior Generals of the Core communities of the Union. Some of the members participated online. The joy was that at last this great event was possible to take place.
The inaugural Holy Eucharist was celebrated by the Ecclesiastical Assistant, Fr Jacob Nampudakam, SAC. At the introduction to the Mass the President, Donatella Acerbi, read the message which Cardinal Kevin Farrell sent for the Assembly, in his message he invited the Union to make its own the three central fundamentals of the Synod: encounter, listening and discernment.
Immediately after the Mass the participants gathered in the hall and the President opened the Assembly. The following days the sessions continued with different reports and deliberations. The commissions were created for liturgy, recommendations, and final message. During one of the sessions Sr. Nathalie Bequart, XMCJ, Under-Secretary to the General secretariat of Synod of Bishops was invited to talk on the theme. She drew our attention to the Logo of the Synod, to the people who are represented in it, to the colours which represent different languages and cultures. The Synodal pathway is proposed by the Church in order that all the baptized become protagonists. Pope Francis wants an open Church that gets involved, facing the challenges of our present reality which is part of history. There is a need to grow in the quality of our relationships and in collaboration so that this Synod be truly realized. Later, two days were dedicated to elect 10 members to the new General Coordination Council.
The members of the Assembly also participated and witness the significant moment of the funeral Mass and entombment of the late Sr Maria Lucindis Stock, SAC, who died in the Procura Generale of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters on the 11th of March. On 16th, Wednesday, the members gathered in the Spiritual Centre of the UAC, the Church of Santissima Salvatore in Onda, for Adoration, this was followed by the novena to Saint Joseph and the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Assembly concluded with thanksgiving Mass for the outgoing member and new members of the General Coordination Council. May the Charism of our Founder St. Vincent Pallotti promote in us a spirituality of communion to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are waiting for us in the world.
