Life Ascending Uganda (LAU) is an association of the older persons and the elderly, of the Catholic church. LAU presents them the opportunity to draw closer to God, link with each other, help themselves out of solitude, and refocus on the future with optimism and confidence.
The program is enriched with physical, social, mental and spiritual domains to enhance full abundant life (John 10:10). This will help sustain the retirees and older persons health wise, remain socially connected, and feel valuable and happy. Above all, it helps them stay spiritually active and fulfill their Mission on earth (Ecclesiastes 11:8).
The association also gives an opportunity to the older ‘persons and the elderly’ to be actors of evangelization in a multigenerational and multicultural society of the current times. Evangelization from an Elder is to witness an authentic Christian life given to him/her through baptism and lived through the years.
St Pope Paul VI states.
Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.
The Strategic Outlook of LAU
To advocate for an enabling environment for the elderly to be fully alive in the religious, spiritual and social spheres of life.
The Vision of LAU
“A dignified and united older persons’ population, still with a Mission.”
Mission of LAU
“To foster a more perfect life (CC: 298) by bringing together the older persons and the elderly of the Catholic Church in Uganda and providing an enabling environment for their spiritual and socio-economic growth.”
Values of Lau (Gal 5: 22 – 26)
- Compassion
- Hope
- Resilience
- Inspiration
- Service
- Transparency and Accountability
Pillars of Life Ascending Uganda
1. Friendship (Col. 3:12-13)
2. Spirituality (Mk. 12:29-31)
3. Apostolate (Mt. 28:19-20)
Objectives
1. Enhance spiritual growth of the older persons and the elderly and promote their apostolate roles.
2. Promote entrepreneurship skills and property stewardship among the older persons.
3. Promote platforms for social interaction among older persons and the elderly and intergenerational activities, so as to reduce social exclusion of the elderly.
4. Promote healthy aging, nutrition, dietetics and physical fitness among older persons and the elderly.
5. Promote activities that should improve and strengthen good social morality and Catholic ethos among children and youth in the communities.
6. Create awareness, lobby, and advocate through dialogue with relevant authorities, for the rights of the elderly (aged 81 years and above), in regard to their spiritual, physical, social and health care.
What We Do (Core Business)
1. Enhance spiritual growth of the older persons and the elderly and promote their apostolate roles.
2. Promote entrepreneurial skills and property stewardship among the older persons.
3. Promote platforms for social interaction among older persons and the elderly and intergenerational activities, so as to reduce social exclusion of the elderly.
4. Promote healthy aging, nutrition, dietetics and physical fitness among older persons and the elderly.
5. Promote activities that should improve and strengthen good social morality and Catholic ethos among children and youth in the communities.
6.Create awareness, lobby, and advocate through dialogue with relevant authorities, for the rights of the elderly (aged 81 years and above), in regard to their spiritual, physical, social and health care.
Anticipated Benefits of LAU
- Improved spirituality and wellbeing of older persons
- Improved Sacramental experiences among the older persons
- Enriched generational heritage transfer
- Improved intergenerational interactions
- Increased optimism and positive attitude towards growing old
- Reduced stigma, prejudice and discrimination against older persons
- Improved involvement of older persons in Church activities and apostolate
- Improved financial literacy and independence among older persons
- Improved physical wellbeing of older persons
- Enhanced accessibility to places and specific material needs for older persons’ aids such as walking sticks, reading glasses, improved sanitary facilities etc.
- Dignified Death and burials for older persons.
- Preserved self-esteem Improved responsiveness of the family and the community to the needs of older persons
- Improved health /reduced old age health issues and ailments
Organization and Management of LAU
Life Ascending Uganda (LAU) operates through the following organs:
- General Assembly
- National executive Committee (NEC)
- Secretariat
- Diocesan Executive Committee (DEC)
- The Parish Executive Committee (PEC)
- Spiritual Directors /Chaplains / Clergy at all levels of NEC, DEC & PEC)
Contact
P.O Box 52, Lugazi
Tel 1: 0772-428775
Tel2: 0772999259
Tel3: 0772508960
Email: info@lifeascendingug.org
Website: www.lifeascendingug.org