The National Association of African Catholics in the United States is welcoming members to help form an active community for fellowship, workshops and much more. Get involved today and help NAACUS in building a better community in the church.
NAACUS -- Together with Christ!
NAACUS MINISTRIES?
In furtherance of its mission and goals to achieve palpable results, NAACUS does not only rely on its regional Coordinators, whose duty is to promote the success of NAACUS in their respective regions, but also relies on Ministries formed to help in realizing its objectives.
NAACUS ministries consist of Advocacy Ministry, Womens Ministry, Youth Ministry, Young Adults Ministry, Mens Ministry, People with Disability Ministry, Resource Ministry, Finance Ministry, Media & Public Relations Ministry, Newsletter Ministry, Liturgy Committee, Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Regional Coordinators/National Advisers, and ANEC (African National Eucharistic Congress) Ministry. While NAACUS Advocacy Ministry advocates for social justice for our African communities, the other ministries focus on raising awareness of the pastoral needs of our African families, youth and adults.
NAACUS key programs and activities include Annual conference, African National Eucharistic Congress (ANEC), Womens Retreat/Workshops, Youth graduation ceremony, Youth Essay Competition, African Mass, Youth and Young adult excellence award, Young adult discussion forum, Prayer meetings and Regional activities.
NAACUS Young Adults Ministry
The NAACUS Young Adults ministry was created as a space for young men and women of faith who identify with the African diaspora to convene and grow together, spiritually and socially. As a national organization, programming is normally offered virtually. The ministry meets on a monthly basis via conference call and welcomes all people from across the NAACUS network, especially individuals aged 19 -39 who are committed to helping young people of the faith. Our Young Adults ministry seeks to help our members navigate the challenges of todays society by providing an environment that allows them to become well-rounded citizens.
The leadership team comprises the following and meets monthly virtually.
Coordinator Vice-Coordinator Secretary
What are the pastoral needs of young adults?
The pastoral needs of young adults focus on the pastoral care functions:
Spiritual Care Understanding faith, developing relationship and understanding of God Motivational Care
Understanding what motives young adults Emotional Care Ability to cope with difficult life experiences
Material and Financial Care Developing and providing material and financial resources
Programs/Activities
To assist in becoming a well-rounded citizen and having a better lifestyle, the ministry focuses on activities such as:
Featured Discussion Topic : A guest speaker invited to discuss hot topics in the Church on a quarterly basis.
Come as You Are Social Hour : A quarterly open forum for young adults to share whats going in their life.
Business as Usual : A quarterly general meeting time for group planning, program discussions, and/or regional updates
Annual Graduation Prayer Ceremony : Collaboration with Youth Ministry to provide prayer service to celebrate High School and College graduates in NAACUS network
Annual Youth and Young Adults Excellence Awards-Honoring Youth and Young adults who are excelling in education, leadership and community service
Annual NAACUS conference
Need more information? Email youngadultministry@naacus.org
NAACUS Youth Ministry
The NAACUS Youth ministry was created as a space for individuals age 13-18 of the Catholic faith who identify with the African diaspora to meet, greet, and grow together spiritually and socially. This effort is aimed at keeping NAACUS connected to our youths in high schools and colleges. As a national organization, programming is normally offered virtually.
The leadership team comprises a Coordinator and some adults from various communities
What are the pastoral needs of Youth?
The pastoral needs of youth focus on the pastoral care function:
Spiritual Care.
Understanding faith, developing relationship and understanding of God.
Programs/Activities
To assist in getting our Youth actively involved in the practice of their Catholic faith, and to encourage them, the ministry focuses on activities such as:
Youth Spotlight : spotlighting the activities Youth are involved in, via featuring articles of such activities in NAACUS Newsletter
Youths Speak : Quarterly on Zoom - engaging Youth in conversations of faith, scriptures, and service.
Annual Graduation Prayer Ceremony : Providing prayer service to celebrate High School and College graduates in NAACUS network
Annual Essay Competition , NAACUS Conference
Annual Essay Competition , NAACUS Conference
Need more information? Email youthministry@naacus.org
NAACUS Womens Ministry
The NAACUS Womens ministry was created as a space for Catholic women who identify with the African diaspora to convene and grow together, spiritually and socially. Membership is open to all Catholic women, who as individuals or groups are registered members of NAACUS. As a national organization, programming is normally offered virtually.
The Leadership team comprises the following and meets monthly virtually.
Coordinator
Vice-Coordinator.
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Public Relations Chair
Public Relations Vice-Chair
NAACUS Womens Ministry Regional Representatives
NAACUS President or Female Designee
Ex-officio Members
Ad-hoc Position
Mission and Purpose
The mission of NAACUS Womens Ministry is to promote relevant pastoral care, spiritual growth, love, and evangelization focused on African Catholic families in the United States.
Values: Spiritual and Cultural, which involves:
Fostering a better understanding and promotion of Catholic doctrines and positive African values
Pro-life
Marriage
Family life
Nurturing and mentoring our children
Transition from African culture to western world
The Womens Ministry endeavor to foster these goals and objectives:
To build and grow a strong community of African Catholic women throughout the United States
To strengthen marriage, family, and communities through prayers and spiritual enrichment programs
To promote the awareness of NAACUS as a voice for African Catholics in the United States
To showcase African Catholic traditions of worship in the United States
To leverage available resources relevant to the pastoral care of Africans in the United State
To empower members and other women with skills to successfully demonstrate Christs model of servant
leadership and excellence in their service within their parishes and communities
Activities and Programs
Monthly Prayer Meeting- Open for all women and promoting of our Catholic faith
Monthly Newsletter
Quarterly National Prayer in Collaboration with NAACUS Liturgy committee
Community Outreach Health Forum
Annual in person retreat / NAACUS Conference
Need more information? Email womenministry@naacus.org
NAACUS Advocacy Ministry also known as Advocacy Standing Committee
NAACUS Advocacy Ministry consists of NAACUS family members in the United States including parents, young adults, married, single, children, clergy and religious, US citizens and immigrants.
The ministry seeks to:
Inform the NAACUS membership and community-at-large of issues of social justice and human dignity concerning our communities and people of African descent all over the world
Engage our diverse communities and people of good will in participation in advocacy.
Areas of Focus:
Immigration
Health
Education
Spiritual matters (African clergy and religious, African families, individual)
Objectives
Lend a Voice to the African Immigrant in the US by raising awareness and participation in public advocacy.
Engage the Catholic Church family and leadership in the US, and mutatis mutandis in Africa and throughout the World.
Modus Operandi
(1) Inform (Advocacy Corner in NAACUS or Regional Chapters Newsletters; Parish bulletins, etc.
(2) Ad Hoc Advocacy (individual and communal) for all Africans, and African Catholics in particular
(3) Participation (political, social, religious, personal)
(4) Structured national and local Database of African Doctors, Lawyers, Pastors, etc.
(5) Two-prong Approach: (i) Putting out the fires [Immediate/short term response]; and (ii) Preventing the fires [Medium to long term response]