Sisters of our Lady of Apostles

A New Vocational Training Center for Women’s Empowerment in Tengrela

Côte d’Ivoire: A New Vocational Training Center Boosts Women’s Empowerment in Tengrela Tengrela, 18 January 2026 (AIP) – The Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles (NDA) have inaugurated a new vocational training center aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment in Tengrela. The ceremony, held on Sunday as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the congregation’s presence in the locality, brought together several ecclesiastical authorities, including priests and sisters. Speaking at the event, the provincial leader of the NDA Sisters, Sister Yapo Amélie, traced the origins of the initiative. She recalled that during community visits on 30 December 2021, the Sisters identified a pressing need for a space where young girls and women could acquire essential skills—echoing the mission the congregation began five decades ago. This observation led to the revival and expansion of the Centre Féminin Notre Dame des Apôtres, now fully modernized and operational. A Growing Demand for Skills Training The center began its activities in October 2022 with only 12 women, limited by the small size of the initial premises. However, the enthusiasm of the learners and the scale of local needs quickly highlighted the necessity for a larger facility.“Every day, we see in the eyes of these young girls an immense thirst for learning. Some walk several kilometers to attend classes,” Sister Yapo Amélie noted, praising their determination. Thanks to the support of benefactors, a new, modern training center has been built. It can now accommodate up to 30 students per class and offers [...]

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 From 18 to 25 January 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere, churches and Christian communities across the globe will once again gather in spirit for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This annual observance offers believers an opportunity to reflect, pray, and renew their commitment to unity in Christ. The theme for 2026 is drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). This scriptural focus highlights the shared identity of all Christians, affirming that, despite differing traditions and expressions of faith, all are united as members of the one Body of Christ. The prayer materials for this year were developed by the Department for Inter-Church Relations of the Armenian Apostolic Church and published jointly by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches (WCC). Rooted in ancient Armenian Christian spirituality, the resources draw on prayers, hymns, and invocations from monastic communities dating back to the fourth century. Through these texts, participants are invited to rediscover and celebrate a common Christian heritage that transcends time and tradition. Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 More information on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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Synodality Shaping Mission

Synodality Shaping Mission A Gathering Marked by Listening, Not Formality The Extraordinary Consistory held at the Vatican on January 8, 2026, unfolded in a spirit of deep listening and shared discernment. Cardinals from Asia, Africa, and Latin America — reflected together on the life of the Church and the call to renewed missionary commitment. A New Way of Dialogue: Conversation in the Spirit Instead of formal speeches, the Cardinals gathered around round tables for a Conversation in the Spirit, a method that mirrors the OLA approach to collaboration, intercultural living, and communal discernment. This format encouraged humility, openness, and genuine encounter. A Call to “stand still” in a Restless World During Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV invited the Church to rediscover the meaning of consistere — “to stand still.” He described this pause as a prophetic act in a world marked by haste. This resonates strongly with the OLA commitment to contemplative presence in mission. A time to pause for spiritual renewal: Retreat. Recollection, Ongoing Formation Programmes… A Day Shaped by Attentive Listening Throughout the day, Pope Leo chose to listen rather than speak. He reminded the Cardinals that he relies on the lived experience of the global Church to discern the path ahead. His approach reflects the OLA conviction that mission begins with listening — to God, to one another, and to the cries of the world. Synodality and Mission at the Heart of the Conversation Two themes emerged clearly: Synodality and Mission, especially in the [...]

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