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Contemplation: To Do a Little Good 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Contemplation: To Do a Little Good

In Monsieur Vincent, the 1947 movie about our patron’s life, he is asked near the end of his life if there is anything he wished he had done. His reply is simple: “More.” This captures the indefatigable commitment to new and creative works that characterized his life, but perhaps does not fully capture his belief…

03-07-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

03-07-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

This is the last in a series of three Servant Leader columns before next week’s Midyear Meeting that address VisionSVdP.  Today I’d like to explain a little more about how the process will work over the next year, and talk a bit about how you can get involved. We will formally ‘kick off’ VisionSVdP at…

Contemplation: Guideposts on the Journey 791 790 SVDP USA

Contemplation: Guideposts on the Journey

To boast about our accomplishments in works of charity brings to mind a routine by the comedian Chris Rock, in which he jokes about people who brag when they do what they are supposed to do. (“I graduated high school!” “You’re supposed to graduate high school!”, etc.) We are Christians — we’re supposed to feed…

02-29-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 8335 2555 SVDP USA
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02-29-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Last week I announced the kickoff of VisionSVdP in an email to all Vincentians. Today, I’d like to spend a little more time discussing the reasons we’re launching this very important initiative at this time. Let’s start by looking at why VisionSVdP is so important for us from the standpoint of all the great and…

Contemplation: Not to Be Forgotten 656 656 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: Not to Be Forgotten

There are thousands of agencies, organizations, and individuals who offer assistance to the poor. In our Conferences we often get to know them and refer neighbors to them when it seems they may be better able to provide for the needs we’ve encountered. We live in a very wealthy nation, filled with generous people. What…

VisionSVdP: Because Every Voice Matters 8335 2555 SVDP USA
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VisionSVdP: Because Every Voice Matters

Dear Vincentian Family, Over the last six months you have likely heard and read about the launch of VisionSVdP, our “family conversation” that will occur over the next two years as we answer the call in our Rule to “Adapt to a Changing World.” I first spoke about this in my remarks after my Installation…

A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 02-22-24 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 02-22-24

God Answers Imagine a young woman, 18 years of age, alone in solitude after her husband departs for work. She places her infant daughter down to sleep. A nudging from within prompts her to go and look upon her daughter, and she is obedient. She notices her firstborn turning blue. To the touch, she is…

Contemplation: Payment for Tears of Joy 1080 1080 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: Payment for Tears of Joy

“Help …becomes honorable,” Bl. Frédéric taught, “when it may become mutual.” [O’Meara, 177] It is this teaching that inspires our Rule’s call for Vincentians to “form relationships based on trust and friendship” with the neighbor. [Rule, Part I, 1.9] Because after all, what is friendship if it is not mutual? Asking for help can be…

A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 02-15-24 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 02-15-24

The 2024 Midyear Meeting is about a month away in St. Louis. Every year as we approach Midyear, Regional Meetings, and the Annual Assembly the same question comes up. “Is it appropriate for Conferences and Councils to use their funds to pay for members to attend these meetings”? Or a variation on the same question.…

Contemplation: Fulfilling His Promise 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Contemplation: Fulfilling His Promise

A young Vincentian, complaining about Conference meetings, noted that the members seemed discouraged, that they were just doing good works “by habit”, and that the meeting “is nearly always concerned with business, it seems long.” It’s no wonder members with this experience question the Rule’s requirement that we meet twice a month. [Rule, Part I,…

02-08-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

02-08-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

There are several topics which immediately start arguments among Vincentians when written about in this space. I wish I could tell you some of them but, you know, it would start the process! However, I will broach one topic because there is an immediate need for some guidance: our logo. Specifically, I have received recent…

Contemplation: A Perpetual Expression 624 624 SVDP USA

Contemplation: A Perpetual Expression

One of our essential elements is spirituality, but what is spirituality? How do we express it? How do we live it? What is its goal? Given that the spiritual growth of members also is the primary purpose of the Society, we probably ought to have some idea how to answer these questions. To begin with…

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