DEVELOPMENT OF UAC IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT 

  1. In 1982 Fr. Ludwig Munz, the then Rector General, came to India and conducted 2 workshops on our charism.
  2. The Sahayatri movement was started in 1994 with view to involve laity in our apostolate. Out of the several SY groups started, there is one group alive in Calicut, still doing something together without anyone’s support. Several attempts were made for UAC to take off, but without any success.
  3. Two seminars on Charism were held – one in Raipur in 1994 and the other in Vijayawada in 1995. About 80 members attended this. Both the resource people who guided our reflections were outsiders and they found our charism very rich and relevant for today.
  4. In 1998 a meeting of all Local rectors and Local councils was held in Raipur to promote our charism. It was decided there that each Local council will animate another local community on our charism. That decision was not carried through due to change of the regime.
  5. In 2000 we held a UAC gathering at the inter-continental level. It was participated by members from India and Australia. The Australians expressed their desire to continue this exchange; but we did not respond. The Congress of 2001 made an attempt to reflect seriously on the charism. It came out with a Pastoral Vision Statement.
  6. In 2002 Fr. Pat Jackson from Australia came and conducted two retreats on our charism – in Madurai and in Goa.
  7. Formally the National Coordination Council (NCC) of the UAC was set up in 2004 and two meetings held each year since then.
  8. The UAC Symposium held at Pallottine Animation Centre from Nov.28th – 30th, 2004 was a significant step for the UAC in the right direction. It has made the following recommendations:

 

  1. That UAC is our charism is no more debatable. It is a legal fact. It is not enough to say that I am not convinced or not clear about the charism – One has to look through the relevant documents and take up the responsibility for ones own growth in the understanding of our charism and to put it into practice.
  2. The superiors of each entity to take the responsibility for the conscientization of its members about UAC.
  3. The NCC is requested to conduct several similar seminars / symposium in different places for the benefit of members from all entities.
  4. It is suggested that two retreats be held in 2005 on our charism, inviting experts like Fr. Freeman.
  5. Each entity will have to set up their own regional coordination councils and local coordination councils. It is only after this that the NCC can really begin to function effectively.
  6. A UAC resource team was set up consisting of one member from each entity to study and develop training materials for UAC groups.

 

IX . Two retreats were held in 2005 for all the Fathers and Sisters by Fr. Seamus  Freeman.

 

  1. Basic formation manual for aspiring UAC members, titled “Chosen to Bear Fruits That Endure” was published.
  2. In 2007 the Statute for UAC Coordination Council of India received approval from GCC.
  • Frank Donio of IC province New Jersy USA, conducted three seminars on the charism  –  Dec. 28-30 2008 in PAC Nagpur, Jan. 3-5 2009 in PILLAR Madurai and Jan. 6-8 2009 in   Prabodana Mysore.
  • In 2008 some lay people from Nagpur showed interest in joining UAC and they were given initial formation by Pallottine Fathers and Sisters.
  • On January 26th 2009 39 lay people took commitment as UAC members in the presence of Rector General Fr. Fritz Cretz and Vice-Rector General Fr. Zenon and other General Consulters. They constituted the first Local Coordination Council in India. This community made small contributions to our missions in India and abroad, runs two evening schools for poor children, undertakes pilgrimages. They join all our major community events.
  • In October 2009 Fr. Derry Murphy preached two retreats – Oct. 10-15 in PAC Nagpur and 22-26 in MRC Trivandrum. There were 88 participants each for both these retreats.
  • Efforts are on to start communities in other places. The training manual “Chosen to Bear Fruits That Endure” is being translated into three other local languages.
  • The first UAC National Assembly held at PAC Nagpur from Oct. 1-3 2013.

 

Our Future Plans

  1. Involve more members (Fathers, Sisters and Laity) in UAC formation and promotion.
  2. Build up a well-trained and committed UAC animation team.
  3. Meet communities at their own places and discuss with them about possibilities to begin UAC groups there and support them if they are interested and willing to do something.
  4. Conduct UAC Congresses in local languages.
  5. The Theological Congress on UAC scheduled for 2011 in Mysore.
  6. Work towards holding the first UAC National Assembly.

 

 

 

Thomas Vijay SAC