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.

 “Nowadays, Christmas means giving presents, particularly to children. According to Grant Regalbuto, President of the Saint-Denys-du-Plateau Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Conference, and responsible for the project, our efforts aim to offer at least one present to all children in underprivileged communities so they feel they are more like other children. This way, we hope being able to reduce social exclusion.” Those gifts add to other ones collected in specific districts (Saint-Benoît-Abbé, Sainte-Geneviève, Sainte-Ursule, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Val-Bélair, Duberger, Sainte-Agnès-de-Donnacona, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures et Saint-Marc-des-Carrières).

Let us recall that the Knights of Columbus and Sears Canada have been organizing for several years Christmas gifts collection campaigns for needy people, in collaboration with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

In the past 8 years, close to 1400 youths received presents, thanks to those campaigns by Laurier and Sears Canada, who thus give the opportunity to their clients and employees to make a show of generosity on behalf of the underprivileged in their community.

Grant Regalbuto
Sainte-Foy Particular Council

Two volunteers who have been working for several years at preparing gifts for underprivileged youths in the city. Left to right: Jean-Paul Huot, Jean-Marc Turcotte, Grant Regalbuto, President of the Saint-Denys-du-Plateau Conference, in old Sainte-Foy.

The Reason for the Season is always such a joyous occasion. The birth of the Christ Child brings about what we cherish as “The Holy Family”. 

It is indeed all about “family”.  It is about coming together and celebrating who we are as mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins. The gifts, the dinners, the laughter, singing and the fun of just enjoying who we are.

It all seems to coincide so nicely with our Mission and Values as a Vincentian Family as well…..”Come together as a family.” 

Of course, there will be those who will have to rely on the generosity of others to least of all enjoy a meal.  But yet, they too celebrate that sharing moment in their own way, whether it is remembering your generosity or finding a place that will keep them warm for the day. 

Know that the baskets you worked so hard to prepare and deliver, the gifts that you brought, the wishes that you sent and gave will be long remembered in the heart of those you served and the one who said…as you have done to the least of my brothers, you have done unto Me”. 

I pray that each and everyone of you enjoy the Christmas Season and be blessed with continued wisdom, understanding and strength! 

May the radiance of your charity always be a beaming light! SVP

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
Penny Craig, President

www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/le_jour_du_seigneur/2011-2012

On November 12, 2011, 165 years later, more than 400 Vincentians and guests gathered in that same cathedral to celebrate the anniversary, and express their gratitude for all the blessings received.

The mass was presided by Monsignor Gérald-Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec, assisted by Monsignor Maurice Couture, emeritus Archbishop of Québec and Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul. Attending were Vincentians from the Québec diocese, as well as the Montréal, Joliette, Trois-Rivières, and Saguenay dioceses. Mrs. Penny Craig, National President, had come from Windsor, Ontario, to grace us with her presence.

The mass that was celebrated by anticipation was the mass of Christ the King, which gospel is such in line with our mission: I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty... I was a stranger... I was naked....

For the occasion, the French CBC was on site to record the mass that will be broadcasted from coast to coast on November 20, 2011, as part of Le Jour du Seigneur. The broadcast allowed us to reach Vincentians across the country.

Jean-Marc Vaillancourt
Interim President
Québec Central Council