Apostolic Carmel Associates: The ACA’s are lay persons who join us to imbibe the Carmelite spirituality and a closer following of Jesus as disciples of the Lord. The ACA’s have monthly meetings with prayer, Gospel reading, reflection and sharing of insights. They give testimonies of their life witness in support of their lived faith.
Men and women from different professions who want to be associated with the Apostolic Carmel Communities are initiated into the group. After five years of regular attendance at meetings and practicing the Catholic faith in the context of their own families they are received as permanent members of the Apostolic Carmel lay apostolate. Each Community has its own sub-unit and all sub-units belong to the main Unit of East Africa Region.
The ACA’s strengthen the Apostolic Carmel Congregation by taking up some responsibilities of Faith formation, Catechetics, Vocation Promotion and Family visits. At present we have 46 ACA’s temporarily affiliated and 16 ACA’s with permanent affiliation. There are 7 sub- units, as part of the Regional Unit of East Africa. In total we have 180 Apostolic Carmel associates in the Region.
Apostolic Carmel Associates reach out to the needy during their annual outreach programs visiting orphanages and old age homes helping them with food stuff and praying with them.
The Apostolic Carmel Association (ACA) Congress,
The Apostolic Carmel Association (ACA) Congress, held from the 22nd to 24th of August, was a spiritually enriching and engaging event that brought together ACA members for days of reflection, faith-sharing, and community bonding. The special presence of Sr. Ancilla, the General Councilor for Education, was deeply appreciated and added a special grace to the Congress.
The ACA’S reflected on their personal experiences of God’s love and guidance. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and openness as participants shared stories of faith and inspiration. This set a strong spiritual foundation for the days that followed.
The second day featured interactive and lively sessions. The day was highlighted by an inspiring talk from Sr. Ancilla, who spoke about living a life of love and service in the spirit of the Apostolic Carmel. She encouraged the members to continue their mission with zeal and dedication, reminding them of their role in nurturing faith and fostering community. Other speakers also contributed with their reflections on the importance of unity and collaboration. The second half of the day was lively with a quiz, skit, and various presentations centered around the theme “Love Overflows.” These activities were designed to express the ACA’s commitment to spreading love and service within the community. The creativity and enthusiasm of the participants were evident, making the day both fun and thought-provoking.
The ACA Congress was a resounding success, with Sr. Ancilla’s presence being especially appreciated for her wisdom and encouragement. The event fostered a deeper sense of faith and community, leaving the participants motivated to continue their Apostolic mission with greater commitment and zeal.
