Breaking news
Spiritual Reflection for May
A new reflection is available in the "Spirituality" section.
April 17 2012
Rule and Canadian Statutes
You can now view the Rule and Canadian Statutes on our website by clicking on "Rule" to the left of the screen. This is the 3rd edition of the Rule and Canadian Statutes, printed in February 2012. No need to replace your Rule and Canadian Statutes book. Only Canadians Statutes were amended. You can download the list of amendments and place it in your current book.
List of amendments to the Canadian Statutes, 3rd edition
April 7 2012
Easter Message
My Dear Brother and Sister Vincentians
The Easter season is very special to both the church and the Society. Easter season is a time of private and communal assessment, forgiveness and renewal. It is the life-giving aspect of why we are Christians. It is a time of the hope of salvation and of the freedom we enjoy as Vincentians of “Serving in Hope”.
As we partake and experience the reflection programs for lent, I would like to characterize a couple of important aspects of the Lenten and Easter Season enhance serving in hope. Firstly, I think of patience and forgiveness. The patience to endure our sufferings in union with those of Christ, the best example of patience and forgiveness; He who died to forgive our own sins and those of the world.
I daresay, most of our sufferings would be small in comparison. Our sufferings that stem from day to day regimes, going to work, school, putting up with the faults of our family and co- workers, illnesses, disappointments etc. It is acknowledged that if these occur one at a time, they can seem small, but if they happen together, they can also seem overwhelming. What is important is how we react to these event That is what counts. This is the examination we need to experience privately and ask for forgiveness, then move forward in the love of God. What must be recognized is that in order for healing to really occur, we must pay attention to seeking the forgiveness of others, not just our own forgiveness.
Secondly, prayer is one of the most important sustenance we can invite into our lives. Under the demanding schedule of life in these days, time for prayer seems to take second seat to the time we ought to devote to the life-giving elements that defines and keeps us who we are as Vincentians.
Prayer provides the communication network to the One who died, so that we can be free to Hope in the salvific work of Easter. Prayer provides the energy that will enable us to do the penance that we must in order to realize true reconciliation with our God and others, thus enabling “new life”.
One of the most beautiful, fruitful and certainly meaningful aspects of Lent and Easter for us as Vincentians is the practices of charity to our neighbour. As both Christians and Vincentians this charity provides the avenue required to be truly Christians, that is, “putting our faith into action”. Where have we heard that before? Putting our faith into action is what Fredric and his confreres proclaimed was required of them in order to be truly Christians and truly Catholic.
Recall the Sermon on the Mount. We can provide witness to our love of Christ by recalling the aspects of what it means to serve Him and thank Him for His ultimate sacrifice. Vincentians, have you visited the sick or inform? Have you served the poor with the charitable spirit that bespeaks of who we are? Have we visited the imprisoned, the shut-ins? Have we been present to the discouraged, the lonely? Of course, it is given that these works are conducted all year, but what a more doubly caring and impactful time than during Lent.
In closing, I truly hope that each and everyone one of you, your family and special people experience a truly blessed Easter Season and that each of us will come to learn and serve our neighbours and each other with an a sincere attitude of gratitude.
May the radiance of your charity always be a beaming light! SVP
All one in truth and charity
Penny Craig, National President
April 1 2012
Spiritual Reflection for April
A new reflection is available in the "Spirituality" section.
March 24 2012
Admission as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) member of the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations
We are pleased to inform you that we have been officially admitted as an UN-NGO member of ECOSOC under the category of Special Consultative Status with no voting rights. This consultative status provides NGOs like us with access to not only ECOSOC but also to its many subsidiary bodies, to the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, economic and social development, gender issues, sustainable development, attend relevant conferences organized by UN as well as special events organized by the President of the General Assembly.
Please download this PDF document to read the complete text: UN-NGO.pdf
March 22 2012
ERRATUM AGA 2012
An error was made in the registration form for the accomodations for the AGA.
Here are the correct contact information:
Toll free line: 888.347.5555
email: stay@smu.ca
The registration form on our website contains the correct information.
March 12 2012
APPROACH FOR JOINT CANONISATION – BLESSED SR ROSALIE RENDU AND BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM
The Daughters of Charity (DC) and the Confederation of SSVP( SOCIETY) are considering the possibility of a joint cause for the canonisation of Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu and Blessed Frederic Ozanam. An initial and exploratory discussion was held between the DC and the SOCIETY on 8 March 2012 at the Motherhouse of the DC at rue du Bac, Paris. Dr. Michael Thio, President General and Amin de Tarrazi, Chairman of the SOCIETY’s Canonisation Commission (past 12th President General) met with Sister Rosa Maria Miro, Assistant Superior General, and Sister Francoise Petit of the DC. This possibility could be considered and of course much is dependent on the requirements to meet the conditions of the cause. The willingness and the spirit were present in the DC and the SOCIETY to consider this further and subsequent discussions would follow to reflect on the next steps.
All Vincentians are urged to pray for this joint approach and seek the enlightenment and guidance of the Holy Spirit towards this cause. This is the beginning and like Blessed Frederic and the early founders - Let us Dare to Dream Dreams.
Dr. Michael Thio, President General
March 1 2012
Spiritual Reflection for March
Please see the "Spirituality" section for a new reflection.
February 3 2012
Monthly Reflection
A new reflection is available in the "Spirituality" section.
January 30 2012
Vincentian Recognition
At the beginning of this year, the Canadian authorities of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul call our attention on the leadership of a volunteer who has been active in the movement for many years.
On behalf of the organization’s President at the national level, Mrs. Penny Craig, the President of the Sainte-Foy Particular Council, Mr. Réal Camiré, awarded to Mr. Grant Regalbuto, former President of that same Council, a National Recognition Certificate.
Mr. Regalbuto assumed the presidency of the Council from 2004 to 2010. The Sainte-Foy Particular Council is composed of conferences working on behalf of the needy in the following towns, districts and groups: Ancienne-Lorette, Duberger, Sainte-Agnès-de-Donnacona, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Université Laval (Marie-Guyart), Notre-Dame-de-Foy, Notre-Dame – Portneuf, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Saint-Benoît-Abbé, Saint-Denys-du-Plateau, Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-la-Salle, Saint-Louis-de-France / Saint-Yves, Saint-Mathieu, Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin, Sainte-Geneviève, Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, Sainte-Ursule, Val-Bélair.
Mr. Regalbuto is presently President of the Saint-Denys-du-Plateau Conference, in Old Sainte-Foy.
Réal Camiré
Left to right: Grant Regalbuto; Réal Camiré, President of the Sainte-Foy Particular Council, and Jean-Marc Vaillancourt, President of the Québec Central Council.
