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Contemplation: Guideposts on the Journey 791 790 SVDP USA
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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
  • Jill Pioter

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…

02-01-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • Jill Pioter

02-01-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

It’s February, the month of Valentine’s Day — and the traditional month of the celebration of love. Exchanges of flowers and chocolates, romantic dinners, and many an engagement will occur on February 14 as people celebrate their love for each other. A day to celebrate love is a good thing, because by focusing on the…

Contemplation: Answering God’s Call 1080 1080 SVDP USA
  • Jill Pioter

Contemplation: Answering God’s Call

Central to the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul is the importance of fulfilling God’s will. Even more than that, he teaches, we must unite our will with His. In order to fulfill God’s will, to make it our own, we must first discern His will, we must hear His calling for our lives. From…

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