Letter from Servant Leaders

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06-19-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
06-19-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Finding Hope in God’s Unexpected Gifts

Two weeks ago, in my Servant Leader column, I wrote about the temptation of doing too much and the need to avoid falling into the trap of trying to save the world, while only  hurting yourself.

That column received a lot of comments on the National website, and people expressed appreciation for what I said. I am extremely glad for that, because it is my prayer that the columns I write provide some value for those of you who read them.

But some people reached out to me privately (you can ALWAYS do that by sending me an email at jberry@svdpusa.org) and asked for more. How, they asked, can we become renewed. How do we face the daily challenges of life without just throwing up our hands and walking away?

Let’s face it. This is an incredibly stressful and challenging time for all of us. I do not care if you are a conservative or a liberal, a Democrat or a Republican, or someone who is just trying to get along, these are unsettling times. Wars, division, vitriolic discourse, violence in our streets. If you are not stressed, you are not awake.

But you know what? This is not the first time we’ve lived through contentious times, and it will not be the last. Life, in its unpredictable journey, often brings us to moments that feel unbearably heavy. There are times when everything seems to go wrong — relationships falter, dreams crumble, health fails, or loneliness creeps in. In these moments, the world can appear colorless, and hope can feel like a distant memory. Yet, for those who are willing to open their hearts, there is a profound truth: Even in the darkest times, God has a way of offering us hope, often in the most unexpected forms. It is in moments of despair that, if we are receptive, we can see the gentle, persistent ways in which God reaches out to us, reminding us that we are never truly alone.

Suffering is an inescapable part of being human. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, the pain of betrayal, or the weight of personal failure, everyone has times when life simply stinks. These periods can feel endless, and the temptation to give in to despair is real.

For many, faith is both a refuge and a challenge during suffering. It is easy to believe in God’s goodness when life is going great, but faith is truly tested when the storms come. The question arises: Where is God when everything falls apart? The answer, though not always immediate or obvious, often lies in the subtle ways God communicates with us — through people, moments, and even the quiet stirrings of our own hearts.

Gifts of Hope/Our Essential Elements

When life is at its lowest, hope can arrive in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, it is a kind word from a stranger, a sunrise after a sleepless night, or a song that plays just when you need it most. Other times, it is the unwavering support of a friend, a passage of scripture that speaks directly to your pain, or a sudden sense of peace that defies explanation. These are not coincidences; they are reminders that God is present, working behind the scenes, orchestrating moments of grace.

Consider the story of Elijah. After a great victory, Elijah found himself running for his life, exhausted and ready to give up. He cried out to God, expressing his hopelessness and desire to die. Yet, in his lowest moment, God sent an angel to provide food and rest. Later, God spoke to Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. This story illustrates that God’s hope often comes quietly, requiring us to listen with open hearts.

Receiving hope from God is not a passive act; it requires openness and vulnerability. When we close ourselves off in bitterness or despair, we risk missing the subtle ways God is trying to reach us. Opening our hearts means being willing to see beyond our pain, to look for signs of grace even when circumstances seem bleak.

This openness is an act of faith. It is choosing to believe that, despite appearances, God is still at work. It is trusting that, as the Psalmist wrote, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). It is allowing ourselves to be surprised by joy, to find beauty in brokenness, and to accept that hope can coexist with sorrow.

Many of you, no doubt, can attest to moments when, just as they were about to give up, something shifted, providing an unmistakable sign of hope. For some, it is the birth of a child after years of longing. For others, it is a job opportunity that arrives at just the right time, or a reconciliation with a long-lost friend. And for many of us, it was a personal encounter with someone in need that we helped through our work as a Vincentian. These moments offer a reminder that life, even at its worst, is not devoid of meaning or purpose. Those moments of renewal remind us why our vocation as Vincentians is so powerful and can help remind us that our essential elements of Spiritual Growth and Friendship are deepened by the element of Service, thus forming a trinity of interrelated gifts that can strengthen and renew us.

These moments of clarity are so powerful because it aligns with a sense of God’s presence, providing reassurance and hope exactly when you need it most. They should anchor our trust in God, reinforce our belief that He hears and responds, and encourage us to move forward with confidence, even in uncertainty. This direct experience of God’s guidance transforms faith from an abstract belief into a lived reality, deepening our relationship with Him and empowering us to face future challenges with greater resilience and hope.

Often, and powerfully, God’s hope comes through the people around us. This is why Friendship is such a vital and important Essential Element of our Vincentian charism. A supportive community can be a lifeline in times of trouble. When we are open about our struggles, we invite others to share in our burdens and to offer comfort. In turn, we become vessels of hope for others, allowing God’s love to flow through us. Friendship does not just mean coffee and donuts at a Conference meeting! It means being there as a lifeline for our Vincentian sisters and brothers who are teetering on the edge, who need us to be the conduit to bring them to God.

So too, is our Essential Element of Service. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can be powerful reminders of God’s presence. A meal delivered to a grieving family, a note of encouragement, or a listening ear can be the very thing that helps someone hold on. In giving and receiving compassion, we take part in the divine work of bringing hope to a hurting world.

Suffering is Not the End of the Story

In the end, hope is not the denial of suffering, but the assurance that suffering is not the end of the story. By opening our hearts to God’s gifts, we allow ourselves to be surprised by grace, to find light in the darkness, and to discover that, even when life is at its worst, we are never without hope.

Peace and God’s blessings,

John

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6-12-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
6-12-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Vincentian Friendship – A Priceless Gift

Photo: A picture of Vincentian Friendship! From left to right, Rosie Martina, long-time Vincentian, Denise Terrance, SVDP Baton Rouge Director of Food Services, and Michael Acaldo pose for a quick photo in September of 2024 at the SVDP Charitable Campus in Baton Rouge.

Through 36 years of my Vincentian journey, I have experienced the ups and downs of being a part of our phenomenal family. Like any family, the loss of a loved one is especially painful.

This week I got a call from Baton Rouge letting me know that a dear Vincentian friend had passed away. Rosario “Rosie” Martina, a long-time Vincentian, went to his rest in heaven at 101 years old this past Tuesday. Rosie was an incredible person who lived our Vincentian Virtues in everything he did. Yes, he was still active at 101 years old.

Decades ago, he was a founder of the Conference in his parish. The parish did not have room for a food pantry for the Conference, so he turned his garage into one with needed refrigeration and freezer space.

In 1982, Rosie and the Council of Baton Rouge embarked on a mission of opening the city’s first Dining Room/Kitchen to serve a hot meal every day of the year. It opened in a small shotgun house that a generous person donated, and initially the Council served anywhere from 20 to 50 meals a day.

Before long they were able to build a new SVDP Dining Room in 1984. And when I say build – they did not have a lot of money in those days – so Rosie and Vincentians grabbed some hammers and got to work! A contractor donated his services, and a new dawn of the Society began to emerge from the inspirational work of Vincentians committed to serve their neighbors in need.

Rosie was a World War II veteran who had a work ethic like no other. He fought in Europe for freedom, and he brought that fight to defeating hunger in Baton Rouge. He started a group of dining room volunteers to pick up food donations from grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants. Rosie was so beloved by his Brother and Sister Vincentians that they gave his volunteer group the nickname Rosie’s Army. Today, the SVDP Dining Room serves over 300,000 meals annually, and is a leader in stamping out hunger in Baton Rouge!

Years ago, I attended the funeral of Rosie’s wife Laura. He asked me to speak during the services about her commitment to the Society, and how she made a difference in our community.

After the funeral services, I went and hugged Rosie and again expressed my deepest condolences on the loss of his wife of 71 years. And he said, “I will see you tonight at our main shelter for men.”  I asked, “You are going to serve tonight?” and he smiled and said, “That’s what Laura would want me to do!”

I was not scheduled to be there, but I changed my plans that Saturday night and went to check on him while he served a meal with a group of his fellow Vincentians. Rosie saw Christ in each man he served that night, and they saw Christ’s love through Rosie and his fellow Vincentians. I told Rosie thank you for all he and Laura had done over the years for those most in need. Most importantly, I thanked him for being such an inspiration to me!

Whether it is a neighbor in need or a fellow Vincentian, who inspires you? How are you using that inspiration to do more for Christ?

To find and serve Christ, we simply must follow His direction in Matthew 25, to seek out the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the ill. We are all called to live our Vincentian Charism by spreading Christ’s love throughout the world!

Best wishes in Christ,  Michael J. Acaldo

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06-05-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
06-05-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

“It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so that they end up not being able to do anything. The spirit of God urges one gently to do the good that can reasonably be done, so that it may be done perseveringly and for a long time.” – St. Vincent de Paul

As I visit with Councils or Conferences, or attend SVdP meetings across the country, I hear about the impact that stress and burnout is having on our Vincentians. Too many cases…not enough money…not enough caseworkers. People are doing too many Encounters in a week. Encounters are becoming transactional instead of spiritual experiences. These are leading to burnout and frustration, and more importantly, they prevent us from growing spiritually in our service to people in need.

Burnout often begins with a holy desire: “I want to help. I want to sacrifice. I want to make a difference.” But the evil one twists this virtue into vice. He whispers, “If you rest, you’re selfish. If you say ‘no,’ you’re failing God.” Before long, we’re like Martha in Luke 10:40, “anxious and troubled about many things,” resentful of our own service.

How many of you have felt the subtle voice that whispers, “You could do more”? How many have looked at the endless line of need before you and thought, “If I just work a little harder, stay a little later, sacrifice a little more of myself, perhaps I can make the difference”? This voice masquerades as the call of conscience, as the voice of love itself. But Vincent warns us, this is deception dressed in the clothes of virtue.

St. Vincent called this “the devil’s ruse,” and it’s particularly insidious because it appeals to what is best in us. He takes our love for the poor, our genuine desire to serve Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters, and he whispers, “More, always more.” He convinces us that our worth is measured by our exhaustion, that true love demands we burn ourselves out completely. He makes us believe that to set any boundary, to acknowledge any limitation, is to fail in our calling.

The devil doesn’t need us to stop serving; he simply needs us to serve in a way that drains our souls. He knows that a burned-out volunteer, however well-intentioned, cannot reflect the love of Christ. When we push beyond our limits, we risk becoming like the lamp in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), burning brightly for a time, but eventually sputtering out, with no oil left to sustain the flame.

Rooted in the Love of Christ

The deepest spiritual truth Vincent reveals is this: God’s way preserves us for the long haul. The gentle spirit that allows us to do reasonable good ensures that we can do it “perseveringly and for a long time.” God is not interested in spectacular burnouts that flame bright and die quickly. God is interested in steady flames that burn consistently, giving light and warmth year after year, decade after decade.

The poor and marginalized we serve need us to be whole, not broken. They need us to serve from a place of strength, not depletion.

Why do we feel this relentless pressure to do more?

Some of it comes from the real needs around us. The poor are still hungry. The sick are still suffering. The injustices still cry out. But some of that pressure also comes from within, from pride, from perfectionism, from fear that we are not enough unless we are constantly producing, constantly giving, constantly saying “yes.”

But our identity is not rooted in our performance. It is rooted in the love of Christ.

We are not loved because we serve. We serve because we are loved.

The Lord does not ask us to save the world. That job is already taken. He asks only that you do your part, with love, and that you trust Him to fill in the rest.

Consider Jesus Himself. Did you ever notice how often Jesus rested? He withdrew to lonely places to pray. He got in a boat and went to the other side. He even slept through a storm. The Savior of the world, perfect love in the flesh, knew when to stop.

If even Jesus rested, how can we think ourselves holier for working ourselves to the bone?

St. Vincent gives us the answer: Do the good that can reasonably be done, so that it may be done perseveringly and for a long time.

A Different Type of Courage

This kind of goodness is not flashy. It doesn’t make headlines. But it is faithful. It is rooted in reality. It listens to the limitations of the body, the mind, and the heart. And it lasts. It reminds us that we are branches, not the vine. We cannot produce fruit unless we abide in the Vine, unless we rest in Christ.

So, I call you today to a different kind of courage, the courage to trust God’s gentle spirit rather than the harsh demands of false urgency. The courage to do reasonable good rather than impossible good. The courage to serve perseveringly rather than spectacularly.

It’s this courage that will allow you to trust that God’s work will continue even when you step back to breathe. Remember that the same God who calls you to serve also calls commands you to love yourself as you love your neighbor.

So, rest when you need to rest.

Say no when you need to say no.

Seek help when you need help.

If you are empty, be filled.

If you are questioning, bring your questions to the One who holds the answers.

Take time to pray, not out of duty, but out of hunger.

Take time to laugh, because joy is holy.

Take time to say no, because that too can be an act of faith.

In short, let yourself be human again.

And when you do serve, serve not as one who must fix everything, but as one who trusts God is already at work.

Remember what St. Vincent knew so well: it is better to do a little good with great love and do it for a long time, than to do too much and lose yourself (and lose the mission) in the process.

The poor will still be with us tomorrow. But so, thank God, will His mercies, new every morning.

May you be filled with that mercy today.

And may you serve from it.

 

Peace and God’s blessings,

John

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05-29-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-29-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Inspiration and Innovation: Living Our Vincentian Charism in Today’s World

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love — it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…”  This 1965 hit from Jackie DeShannon sums up the world’s deep need for Vincentian love — now more than ever.

Where did I get the inspiration to start with a song? From Tim Williams, our amazing Senior Director of Formation and Leadership Development!

At the recent Northeast Regional Meeting, he gave a phenomenal workshop on the Vincentian virtues that I was blessed to attend. For those in the audience, it didn’t matter if you were a 35 year Vincentian like me or just starting out, it really hit home. Just ask our beloved Ray Sickinger, Vincentian leader for decades — we both agreed it was music to our ears!

Tim used the old Mac Davis song “It’s Hard to Be Humble” to describe how we should not live the Vincentian virtue of humility.  He did a magnificent job of covering each of our essential virtues : Simplicity · Humility · Gentleness · Selflessness · Zeal.

I was blessed to speak on the priceless Vincentian wisdom of bringing love to those most in need.

To do that, I talked about our precious Home Visits – those moments when we knock on Christ’s door. What a priceless encounter it is to enter Christ’s home — the homes of our neighbors in need. And I spoke about when Christ knocks on our doors — at thrift stores, dining rooms, community pharmacies- desperately seeking our help.

I love attending these regional meetings because I meet phenomenal Vincentians like Dana from the Archdiocese of Boston. He shared how much he treasures these visits. But Dana recently had a powerful and unexpected encounter in Phoenix during our National Assembly.

Dana stepped outside for a walk and came across a man lying in the hot sun, experiencing homelessness. He could have walked past. Instead, his Vincentian heart stirred. He started a conversation. It was not just a “hello.” It became, in Dana’s words, “a Christ-filled moment.” Dana invited the man to have lunch with him, and the man smiled and said yes. They shared a meal outside at a nearby restaurant.

Dana had come to Phoenix looking forward to workshops like those given by Tim Williams and others. Christ gave him one on the street that touched his heart in a way that words cannot describe.

So, what inspires you as a Vincentian? For me, it’s encounters like Dana’s. That is the power of inspiration and our Vincentian charism — it is what propels us to seek out the forgotten and bring them love. What I have learned in my regional visits, what I treasure in my heart, is that across the country, 90,000 Vincentians are using their God-given gifts to bring Christ’s love to those most in need.

Think of the countless priceless encounters you have had – not only with our neighbors in need, but also with your fellow Vincentians, that encounter of friendship and how that inspires you!

So, I ask again — what inspires you to innovate?

I will leave you with those beautiful Jackie DeShannon lyrics: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some, but for everyone.”

Thank you for turning Vincentian inspiration into action across our nation. As I board a plane for my next regional meeting, I can’t wait to see more of our Vincentian love in action.

Best wishes in Christ, Michael J. Acaldo

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05-22-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-22-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Embracing the Call to Servant Leadership

With just over four months left in our fiscal year, many presidents are approaching the end of their terms. Some feel relieved and are looking forward to transitioning into a mentoring role. For others, however, it brings mounting anxiety as they struggle to find someone willing to step into the role. My sense is that many fall into the latter group.

So, what exactly is a Servant Leader, and why is it often so difficult to find Vincentians willing to embrace this role?

When we think of the ultimate Servant Leader, we naturally look to Jesus. His entire ministry was centered around serving others. He led not by authority or position, but through humility and compassion. His words in Mark 10:45 remind us:
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In more recent times we first find the term servant leadership in an essay, titled “The Servant as Leader,” first published in 1970 by Robert K. Greenleaf. Greenleaf emphasized that the core of true leadership is a commitment to serve first—and lead second.

By that definition, every Vincentian is a servant leader. Our very mission is to serve those in need with love, respect, and humility. And yet when it comes to taking on leadership roles—especially as president—there is often hesitation. Why is that? Why does the idea of leadership feel intimidating or burdensome, rather than an extension of our Vincentian calling?

Here are some common reasons Vincentians give for not stepping into leadership roles:

  • “I don’t have the time.”
  • “I don’t have the skills to be president.”
  • “I can’t add another meeting to my schedule.”

These concerns are understandable—but they don’t tell the whole story. Many Vincentians already manage busy schedules, attend various meetings, and juggle other commitments. What’s truly needed in a Servant Leader is not a résumé full of technical skills, but a caring heart, a love for the Society, and the ability to inspire and support others.

You don’t have to be an accountant or a corporate executive to serve as president. What you do need is the wisdom to recognize and empower the gifts of others within your conference or council. A good Servant Leader builds a team, draws on the talents of members, and fosters spiritual growth.

Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve been shaped and encouraged by other Vincentians who saw leadership potential in me long before I recognized it in myself. When I had an idea, they encouraged me to pursue it. When I initially declined a council board position due to my work schedule—before the days of Zoom—a leader found another way for me to serve, using my teaching skills to benefit member formation. That encouragement and guidance eventually led me to embrace my own role in Servant Leadership for the West Region.

Here’s what I’ve learned: A Servant Leader doesn’t need to have all the answers or do everything alone. They simply need to be willing to see others—to listen, to guide, to invite, and to trust. Much like our home visits with neighbors in need, the president’s role is rooted in relationship and empathy. Just as we leave those neighbor visits with full hearts, so too does the Servant Leader find deep fulfillment in watching fellow Vincentians grow and thrive in their vocation.

As a leader, I stay connected with members through calls, emails, Zoom, and in-person meetings. These moments aren’t obligations—they are opportunities. I am consistently filled with gratitude for the love and dedication of our members. In sharing what I’ve learned and listening to their challenges, I see God’s hand at work in our Society.

And I never walk this path alone—none of us do. Every conference and council president has support: from their fellow officers, from regional and national leaders, and from the wider Vincentian family. We are One Society. Just as we serve the poor together, we also support one another.

Servant Leadership has been a blessing in my life—deepening my faith, broadening my perspective, and bringing countless moments of grace. My prayer is that you will see this role not as a burden, but as a calling. If you’re asked to serve, take it to prayer. Trust that God sees something in you that you may not yet see in yourself.

Will you consider saying “yes”?

Let your answer be guided by the Holy Spirit, grounded in love for the Society, and open to the joy that comes from serving others.

Judy Dietlein
National Vice President, West Region

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05-15-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-15-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

I have been reading Victor Gaetan’s book ‘God’s Diplomats: Pope Francis, Vatican Diplomacy, and America’s Armageddon.’ It is a fascinating and highly readable exploration of the Catholic Church’s evolving approach to global conflict resolution and peace building, emphasizing the Church’s shift from the “just war” tradition to a “just peace” framework rooted in dialogue, impartiality, and long-term relational engagement. Central to this transformation is the Church’s commitment to advocacy as a proactive, faith-driven pursuit of justice that transcends partisan politics and prioritizes the marginalized.

The book tells the story of how the Vatican’s diplomatic corps operates on principles that defy convention. Unlike nations that leverage military or economic power, the Church’s advocacy is grounded in neutrality, humility, and grassroots engagement. Key rules include avoiding “winners and losers,” remaining impartial, and “walking the talk” through charitable acts. For instance, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Pope John XXIII’s discreet diplomacy helped de-escalate tensions by appealing to shared humanity rather than partisan interests. Similarly, in Colombia, local Catholic peacebuilders demonstrated how sustained, community-driven advocacy can counter cycles of violence.

Right about now you are probably saying “OK, John, that’s nice, but this isn’t a book club. What’s your point and why should I care?”

Fair question!

I think that we learn every day from observing others. And the insights and lessons in this book are things that relate to our work as Vincentians. They help us understand that we are not just transactional check writers and one-off suppliers of aid and support to people in need.

The approach that underlies the Vatican’s diplomatic work reflects a broader theological vision that we should understand and seek to mirror: the Church’s role as a “field hospital” (a metaphor often used by Pope Francis) that heals wounds without judgment. By prioritizing relationships over transactional victories, Vatican diplomats model a form of advocacy that aligns with Christ’s call to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) and seek peace through understanding.

The Church’s diplomatic ethos finds practical expression in Catholic nonprofits like St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) and others who blend direct service with systemic advocacy. Our work in advocacy must be as integral a part of who and what we are as our direct service to the people in need who come to us.

Further, our focus on advocacy must be to “Influence decision-making to promote justice and solidarity, emphasizing policy changes that address root causes of poverty.” This mirrors the Vatican’s long-term, dialogue-focused strategies.

An area where SVdP has always advocated and continues to advocate locally and nationally is economic justice. This includes affordable housing and just wages, reflecting Pope Leo XIII’s defense of workers’ rights in Rerum Novarum (1891), which condemned exploitation and called for equitable labor practices. And he further insisted that governments must prioritize the vulnerable, asserting that “the rich must religiously refrain from cutting down the workmen’s earnings” through unfair policies.

Advocacy for the poor is not optional in Catholic teaching; it is a requirement of faith. Jesus’s proclamation to “bring good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18) and His identification with the marginalized (“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me,” Matthew 25:40) form the bedrock of this mission.

The teachings of our faith have continued from Luke through the ages and is reflected in many of the recent Papal teachings from Pope Leo the XIII to Pope Francis (and I am sure will continue under Pope Leo XIV). Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, said “There is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor.” He condemned an “economy of exclusion” and urged believers to “lend a ready hand” to dismantle systemic injustice.

Pope St. John Paul II highlighted the “preferential option for the poor” as non-negotiable, urging Catholics to “discern the justice of the poor’s requests and help satisfy them.”

In the book, Gaetan acknowledges that Church diplomacy is not without failures, such as divisions in Kenya where ethnic rivalries fractured local Catholic communities. Similarly, nonprofits like SVDP face hurdles like political polarization and resource constraints. Yet, the Church’s emphasis on patient dialogue and grassroots empowerment offers a model that rejects short-term, partisan solutions. So too, must we focus our advocacy efforts on experience-based, story-driven, real-world examples about the people we serve so as to help drive change through dialogue.

It is vital that we, both nationally and locally, increase our involvement in advocacy for the poor and marginalized because, as the Church’s diplomatic model demonstrates, real, lasting change for the vulnerable comes through sustained, humble engagement and a “culture of encounter.” Vatican diplomacy is effective precisely because it avoids partisanship, seeks common ground, and prioritizes the dignity, power, and resources of those most affected by conflict and poverty. This approach is not only a diplomatic strategy but a moral imperative that should inspire us to move beyond charity alone and engage in advocacy that addresses systemic injustices.

God’s Diplomats provides a guide to how the Church and SVdP USA can use advocacy not as a political tactic but as a sacrament of solidarity. By marrying spiritual principles with pragmatic action, the Vatican and Catholic nonprofits like us embody a vision of justice that transcends borders. As Pope Francis reminded us, “Mere condemnation is not enough; we must act.” In a world fractured by inequality and conflict, this call to advocacy, rooted in the Gospel and refined by centuries of social teaching, remains as urgent as ever.

The synergy between Vatican diplomacy and grassroots nonprofits underscores a timeless truth: defending the marginalized is not just a policy preference but a divine mandate. Whether brokering peace between superpowers or lobbying for affordable housing, the Church’s mission remains the same: to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

 

Peace and God’s blessings,

John

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05-08-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-08-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Our Vincentian Family From East to West and North to South

Minutes before this issue of Frederic’s Five was finalized, the world learned that the Holy Spirit has chosen Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. We know that he will embrace our mission of serving Christ by encountering those in need and one another as we live our Vincentian Virtues in a world that desperately needs the love and action of our Society!

My article shares how we are committed to our Church’s call to grow in holiness as we seek and find the forgotten, suffering, and deprived so that we may bring them Christ’s love.

“And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:29-30

We have Vincentians from the east to west and north to south – all over the country – that have accepted Christ’s invitation to enter the narrow door of the kingdom of God. They have done so by living our Society’s five virtues of Simplicity, Humility, Gentleness, Selflessness, and Zeal.

That is why I absolutely love being able to visit with our Vincentian membership throughout the country.

The first regional meeting I recently attended was for the North Central Region. When I entered the meeting and was greeted by Regional Vice President, Bat Seymour and all the members of this Region, I felt the Holy Spirit in that room! I met extraordinary people committed to our Society in a remarkable way. What a fantastic start to my regional visits!

Two weeks ago, I was blessed to be with Paul “Korky” Korkemaz, Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President, and Vincentians from throughout the region. The first night of this meeting was so special. After gathering for a simple meal at the retreat center, the night ended with a musical meditation to begin our meeting with the Holy Spirit at its center.

It was so beautiful that at the end of the performance, all Vincentians were asked to look at one another and to tell everybody that they loved each other. In a world where love is not so easily expressed, and that seems to be filled with hate, the act of expressing our Vincentian love for one another was so effortlessly done. What a gift to be with so many Vincentians living their faith through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul!

Last week, I was blessed again being with Judy Dietlein, West Regional Vice President, and the members of the region. Again, I had the joy to visit and spend time with Vincentians embracing our mission and virtues as they expressed their commitment to their faith journeys.

In this meeting, I felt the Vincentian energy of friendship in a way that was overwhelming. They exuded our passion for one another in our Vincentian family.

Whether it is east, west, north, or south, our members are living the Gospel values in such a phenomenal way. Each Vincentian I had the honor of meeting expressed their faith through their Vincentian charism in a way that only they could. Vincentians give the gift that only they can give – the priceless gift of themselves!

I could fill pages and pages of encounters I had with my fellow brother and sister Vincentians at these regional meetings. I have four more meetings to attend, and I cannot wait to go!

In my last article, I briefly mentioned the importance of our Vincentian encounters. Often, we focus on our priceless encounters with those in need, and we do not spend enough time focusing on those equally priceless encounters with one another. These encounters are our Vincentian friendship in action that help us to grow together spiritually.

Take a minute today to think about all those Vincentians that have touched your life spiritually. Think about the wisdom they shared with you and how it enriches your spiritual journey. How can you share that wisdom with all your Vincentian friends at your Conference, Council, Region, or the National Council? Your wisdom will be a gift that will last a lifetime!

And today, let’s not only share this wisdom, but most importantly, Christ’s love, as we join our entire Vincentian Family in celebrating the new pontificate of Pope Leo XIV!

Best wishes in Christ,

Michael J. Acaldo

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05-01-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-01-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Often when explaining what the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is, I use the 3-legged milk stool as an analogy. Our purpose is to grow in holiness, in service to the poor, and in friendship. Those are our essential elements.

I’m woefully lacking in spirituality so that’s an area where I can improve the most.  Friendship is where I am most comfortable. Servant Leaders spend much of their time with other Vincentians. We have the opportunity to offer a smile, to be welcoming, and to listen to and value their opinions.

One of the things I learned at Invitation for Renewal (a very powerful experience that I suggest every Vincentian consider) is that our founder Blessed Frederic, guided by Sr. Rosalie, organized a discussion club that became a Society of Charity! Today, other clubs use the term “fellowship” to refer to mutually supportive gatherings and friendship building activities.

In my Conference, Vincentians and their spouses have dinner and a cocktail hour twice a year to socialize with no other agenda. When I was Council President, we would host these dinners after the holidays to share our decorations and again on the patio in the summer. My wife Susan was called the “hostess with the mostest” because she picked a theme (think Italian, Mexican, Greek) and the food would reflect it. I did what was allowed — greeter and bartender!

I’m also reminded of friends who became Vincentians because I invited them. Friendship is so powerful. Don’t we gravitate toward those who have values, interests, religion, and locations that are similar to ours? My friends wouldn’t invite me to a hockey or soccer game, but they ALL know I’m a Dodgers fan.

Jesus shows us how: “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” As I work on growing in holiness and service, I quote our friend Joe: “Friendship is the glue that keeps the other two elements together so that we are cohesive.” In the coming months, may we each go out of our way to spread friendship, and increase our service and grow in holiness!

In God’s plan, we all have strengths. I think one of mine is friendship. Have you thought about yours?

Don Kany

National Vice President, Mountain Region

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04-24-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
04-24-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

A Shepherd to the Poor: Remembering Pope Francis

In the passing of Pope Francis, the world has lost not only the Bishop of Rome but a tireless voice for the voiceless, a prophet of mercy, and a shepherd whose heart beat in time with the most forgotten of God’s children. For those of us who have dedicated our lives to serving the poor and marginalized through our vocation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, his life was a living gospel—both a challenge and a consolation.

From the moment he stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2013 and simply bowed his head, asking the people for their blessing before offering his own, it was clear we had a different kind of pope. He took the name “Francis,” after the humble saint of Assisi, and like that saint, he walked a path of radical simplicity, compassion, and solidarity with the poor.

He reminded us time and again that the Christian faith is not an abstraction. It is not a comfortable theory. It is a call to action — a call to love. And not the easy kind of love that stays within the boundaries of polite society, but the kind of love that stoops down to wash the feet of the homeless, that listens to the cries of the refugee, that welcomes the addict, the broken, the excluded.

In his World Day of the Poor messages, Pope Francis poured out his heart to those on the margins, and to those who serve them. In 2021, he wrote, “The poor, always and everywhere, evangelize us, because they enable us to discover in new ways the true face of the Father.” For those of us in this mission, we know the truth of those words. We have encountered Christ in the trembling hands of the hungry, in the eyes of a woman fleeing abuse, in the fragile hope of someone who has lost everything but still believes in grace.

Pope Francis was not content to merely speak about the poor — he went to them. He visited hospitals, refugee camps, prisons, and homeless shelters. He embraced lepers, kissed the feet of migrants, dined with the homeless. His actions said loudly what his words reinforced: “We are called to discover Christ in them, to lend our voice to their causes, but also to be their friends, to listen to them, to speak for them and to embrace the mysterious wisdom which God wishes to share with us through them.” (World Day of the Poor, 2017)

Francis taught that charity is not simply about giving — it is about relationship. About drawing near. About breaking down the barriers that divide “us” and “them.” He wrote, “The poor are not people ‘outside’ our communities, but brothers and sisters whose sufferings we should share, in an effort to alleviate their difficulties and marginalization.” (World Day of the Poor, 2020) That vision transformed the Church. It transformed each of us.

Many of us who serve, in our encounters at people’s homes, at shelters, at food pantries, and at recovery programs, saw in Pope Francis the embodiment of what we hope to be. His humility did not diminish his authority — it deepened it. His tenderness did not weaken his leadership — it defined it. He reminded us that the Church is most fully herself not when she stands in splendor, but when she kneels beside the wounded.

We loved Pope Francis not because he made our work easier, but because he made it holier. He called us to more. To see our volunteerism not as a duty, but as a Eucharistic act—a way of becoming bread broken and shared for others. He saw the poor not as a problem to solve, but as people to love. And he called on the whole Church to “go out to the peripheries,” where, he reminded us, Christ Himself is waiting.

In 2023, he wrote: “Where the poor are concerned, it is not talk that matters; what matters is rolling up our sleeves and putting our faith into practice through a direct involvement, one that cannot be delegated.” He never let us off the hook. And thank God he didn’t. Because of him, countless hearts were lit with a fire of compassion, and many who once looked away from the poor began to look into their eyes—and see Christ.

Now, as we mourn him, we also thank God for the gift of his life. We thank God for the man who reminded us that the smell of the sheep is a sweet fragrance to the Good Shepherd. That mercy is the greatest expression of justice. That to serve the poor is not just a noble option—it is the heart of the Gospel.

1 John says, “Let us love, not with words but with deeds.” And oh how he lived that love every day of his papacy. He loved with his presence, with his simplicity, with his unwavering focus on those the world forgets.

For those of us in the trenches of mercy, in the homes of those in need, in the food lines and the shelter dormitories, in the hospital rooms and dining rooms, we carry his legacy forward. We will go on loving, not with words, but with deeds. We will go on seeing Christ in the poor, and we will go on knowing that Pope Francis is still praying for us — from the heavenly peripheries — still urging us to keep walking, keep loving, keep serving.

May his memory bless the Church. May his vision animate our mission. And may we, like him, choose every day to live a faith that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable — until every tear is wiped away, and the poor are poor no more.

Peace and God’s blessings,

John

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04-17-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
04-17-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

VisionSVdP Phase III

In today’s Frédéric’s Five, you will find links to all the data from the VisionSVdP Listening Sessions held in 2024. There is a lot of data in there — and a lot of information to look over and read. It is fascinating to see the comments from Vincentians from all over the country about their thoughts, feelings, and ideas regarding the future of SVdP USA! I urge you to jump in and look through the comments of your brother and sister Vincentians.

As we have begun a preliminary analysis of the comments, there have been some emerging themes that have been identified.  These include:

  • Advocacy & Social Justice
  • Collaboration & Partnership
  • Communication & Outreach
  • Home Visit & Service Delivery
  • Membership & Recruitment
  • Organizational Structure & Governance
  • Resource Allocation & Fundraising
  • Special Works
  • Spirituality & Core Values
  • Technology Adoption
  • Training & Formation

Of these Emerging themes, the Top 5 that had comments associated with them were:

  • Home Visit & Service Delivery
  • Spirituality & Core Values
  • Membership & Recruitment
  • Organizational Structure & Governance
  • Communication & Outreach

We will be addressing these five areas in Phase III of VisionSVdP. However, there are many themes not in the top five that can easily be considered ‘subcategories’ of those five. For example, Technology Adoption is a prime candidate as a subcategory of both Organizational Structure & Governance and of Communication & Outreach. So all of the common themes are going to be addressed, as well as all other comments, in one way or another.

So, where do we go from here?

Beginning June 1, Working Groups will form at the Conference and/or Council level to begin discussion, developing suggested actions and recommendations for a specific subject. Each Working Group will focus on ONE THEME from the five above.

Instructions and materials for the Working Groups will be sent out in mid-May.

Approximately September 1, all Working Group recommendations will be sent to the highest-level Council (the Council represented by a National Council Member [NCM]).

The Council will create a Working Group that will take up all submitted recommendations and create one Council Report of Recommendations and Actions for each of the five themes above. This needs to be completed by December 1, 2025.

The Council will then elect two Delegates to the National VisionSVdP Congress, to be held in the first Quarter of 2026. These Delegates cannot be the NCM, and one Delegate should hold no Office at the Council or Conference level if possible.

All expenses for the Congress will be paid by the National Council. The Congress is anticipated to be three days of intensive work and will develop a final set of recommendations and actions.

Have a Blessed Easter.

Peace and God’s blessings,
John

John Berry
National President

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