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Contemplation: The Challenge of Modern Times 800 800 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: The Challenge of Modern Times

By Timothy Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development Blessed Frédéric and his friends founded the Society in 1833 in answer to a challenge posed to them by another group of students in a discussion group called the Conference of History. The other students, adherents to San Simonianism, a form of utopian socialism, believed…

06-20-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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06-20-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

My last Servant Leader column on Encounter generated quite a few comments and discussions. That is great, because these columns should be opportunities for us to exchange thoughts and ideas, not just read what someone else has to say. I wanted to continue the discussion for another week, with a few thoughts and clarifications generated…

Contemplation: To Discern, Not to Decide 800 800 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: To Discern, Not to Decide

By Tim Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development In the Society of St Vincent de Paul, “all decisions are made by consensus after the necessary prayer, reflection and consultation.” [Rule, Part I, 3.10] In other words, we don’t simply vote the minority “off the island,” but instead ensure that every voice is heard…

06-13-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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06-13-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

I’m told rather often how some of our Servant Leader columns become agenda items for discussion at Conference meetings. Outside of our ongoing VisionSVdP process, this may be the most important column you could ever use to stimulate not just conversation, but crucial activity to benefit your Conference’s future. At our Midyear Business Meeting, I…

Contemplation: Another Advocate 800 800 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: Another Advocate

By Timothy Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development In 1833, President (and Spiritual Advisor) Emmanuel Bailly opened the first meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul praying “Veni, Sancte Spiritus…” We continue this special devotion to the Holy Spirit today, beginning our Opening Prayers at Conference Meetings with the very same…

06-06-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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06-06-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Over the last year, you have heard me speak and write often about the ‘Encounter.’ Regrettably, some people are uncomfortable about my use of that term, as they seem to feel that it takes away from the traditional emphasis of the Society on the term ‘Home Visit’ as what they perceive as the heart and…

Contemplation: A Culture of Encounter 800 800 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: A Culture of Encounter

By Tim Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Home Visit both were formed when Frédéric Ozanam declared in 1833 that “we must do what Our Lord Jesus Christ did” and “go to the poor.” [Baunard, 65] The very first Rule in 1835 enshrined “the…

05-29-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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05-29-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Dear brother and sister Vincentians, greetings from Anchorage, Alaska! I am delighted to introduce myself as Andrew Bellisario, C.M., the new National Episcopal Advisor for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This year, I celebrate 40 years as a Vincentian priest. Next year commemorates the 50th anniversary of my entry into the Congregation of…

Contemplation: With All Our Strength 800 800 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: With All Our Strength

By Timothy Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development As Vincentians, we understand this to be a calling, a vocation. Each of is called to serve God as a member of the Society, seeing Christ in the neighbor, and growing in holiness through our service. While the meetings and the works of the Society…

05-23-24 Servant Leader: The Most Political Thing We Can Do as Vincentians 1200 1200 SVDP USA
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05-23-24 Servant Leader: The Most Political Thing We Can Do as Vincentians

Former National CEO and beloved friend and mentor to many, Roger Playwin passed away on May 10. Ever the servant leader, he submitted the letter below shortly before his death.  May we continue to draw inspiration from a man who taught us all so much. Recently I read an article by Steven P. Millies, a…

Disaster Services Success Story: Rest for the Weary 1080 1080 SVDP USA
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Disaster Services Success Story: Rest for the Weary

Dear Vincentians, We are all familiar with the startling and isolating dread that can overwhelm us when the unthinkable happens, and our Vincentian principles call us to action. In the wake of a Midwestern tornado, Vincentian friendship and service shines in the story of a neighbor in need of a place to rest. As an…

Contemplation: A Model To Follow 1080 1080 SVDP USA
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Contemplation: A Model To Follow

By Tim Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development When we hear the word “leader” we naturally think of a great general, a head of state, one of those celebrity CEOs, or even a star athlete leading a team to victory. The great leader is an American archetype: charismatic, confident, inspiring; a leader, in…

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