What is PALICA Center ?

History & Background :

         The ward PALICA is an acronym, for (Pastoral, Liturgical, and Catechetical Center) of the Catholic Diocese of El Obeid. The Center is one thousand meters from the Cathedral of Our lady Queen of Africa, and opposite St. Kizito Diocesan minor Seminary. The centre premises is 1600sq. m. consist of  boarding rooms, offices, kitchen & Refectory, Conference’s Room,  library…etc  

          PALICA Buildings are old from early 1900 for the Syrian community in El Obeid, a large number by then. After missionary act of 1962, things started to be difficult for missionary churches, the community decreased as they were all merchants dealing mostly with beverages selling something the laws of the country prohibited in the last years. At the moment there is only one family, all the rest moved either to Khartoum or left the country altogether for a large number of reasons.

           From mid eighties of last century the Catholic Church/ Latin order took the building for PALICA activities. The diocesan PALICA Center of El Obeid was conceived in 1981 to assist the Church leaders in uniting and building the Church through the training of priests, sisters, catechists, teachers of Christian Religion, women and youth; and educating Christian to the fullness of the new life in the Church created by Vatican II.

        The center hosts many activities and occasions during the year. The annual programmes of the center have to be formed by the Pastoral and Presbyteral Councils, during the annual meeting usually in January. The programmes usually focus on three areas: spiritual renewal, formation in the apostolate and development education.

Vision Statement

In the year 2005 the Board of Management of the Diocesan Pastoral Planning  reflected on and formulated an interim Vision Statement to guide the work of the Centre. The Vision statement reads:
El Obeid Diocesan Palica Centre aims to be a symbol and source of hope, light, growth and support for all God’s people, promoting integration in the Christian faith for individuals and communities within El Obeid Diocese, and reaching out in the spirit of the Gospel to those who are on the margins of our faith community.
In proposing this Vision Statement they have developed a series of objectives:

·         In a spirit of welcome and openness the Centre seeks to support people in their emotional, spiritual, physical, social and intellectual growth.

·         The Centre seeks to be a place where people are given the opportunity to explore the fundamental meaning and purpose of life and, in times of questioning and confusion, to offer education and support.

·         The Centre seeks to organise itself in such a way that the Christian message may be explored and lived, promoting values such as respect, empowerment, justice and peace.

·         The Centre seeks to promote the values of collaborative ministry and Christian community, and to help local parishes in their liturgical celebrations and commitment to the social Gospel.

·         The Centre seeks, in a Christian context, to respond to the needs of young people and to promote the sharing of the unique gifts of our young people with the larger community.

The Pastoral Centre’s Work

To fulfill the objectives of these statements the Centre has worked to understand the needs of the groups mentioned—young people, adults and priests and their parishes–from this offers a number of activities. Many programmes have been provided by the Centre, both based in the town and at locations around the diocese. Among the courses presented to date have been a number on personal and spiritual development, theology, programmes for families and parents and courses for catechists and people involved in work in their parishes.
Work with young people has brought us in contact with Don Bosco youth education society (D.B. Yes)  youth leadership programmes. Our youth activities have included  inter-church activities and pilgrimages to World Youth Day.
 The Pastoral Centre works with people in their own parishes and centres and not only at the Centre in El Obeid. The meeting and lecture room facilities and resources which we have are offered as a means of supporting much work which is happening around St. Mary Queen of Africa Parish and diocese by many other groups.
During the year El Obeid Diocesan Palica Centre publishes a newsletter and listing of events, which is circulated to parishes, religious communities and Centre .

Meeting Facilities
A range of meeting facilities are available at the Centre. These include a Conference Room, and Meeting Rooms. We also provide Flip Chart, computer & projector, photocopy, TV& Video and Tape Recorders.

 Lending Library
We have a well stocked lending library with many current periodicals and journals available. It also contains books on a variety of relevant themes – e.g. Theology, Counselling and Spirituality.

Staff

Director: Rev. Fr. Gabriel Alfred NUKTA
Administrator: Mr. Nabil Keleker
Receptionist: Mr. Butrus Hassan
Cateress:  Miss. Hayat Ahmed

Contact Details

El Obeid Diocesan PALICA Centre
Catholic Church

P.O. Box 386

El Obeid
Phone / Fax: 0611-823685
Email: gabrielnukta@yahoo.co.uk