SSVP CANADA NEWS - June 7, 2023

SSVP CANADA - June 7, 2023

NEWSLETTER

NATIONAL COUNCIL

As we approach our Annual National Formation meetings this week, we wanted to remind you of the process to elect your next president of the National Council. All eligible voters will receive an electronic message to their registered email address on June 15^th. The voting period will last through the end of day on June 30^th, and the vote results will be announced on our next newsletter scheduled for July 14^th.

As you know both candidates will be presenting themselves and their platform for SSVP during the ANF on Saturday June 10^th at 2pm EST. Those who cannot attend on site will be able to participate virtually, as we will be broadcasting the speeches via Zoom. The link to access the event is below:

Candidates speeches Zoom Link

We look forward to welcoming everyone in Ottawa this week and to the lively discussions stemming the topics in the program.

Philippe E. Blain, Executive Director
National Council

VINCENTIAN LIFE

ST. DUNSTANS SSVP IN CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI

During Lent, the confirmation class at our parish decided to collect food to donate to the SSVP conference in our parish as a service project. They collected nonperishable food items. As part of this project, they were asked to pray for the person or family that would receive the food items that were donated. This gesture of almsgiving and prayer encouraged the young persons and their families to be the “hands of Christ”. Recently the food donation was given to the conference and was used to help stock our pantry cupboards.

We would like to thank all the students, parents and catechists who assisted with this project that will assist those experiencing hardship in our parish.

Ernie Dunsford, St. Dunstans Conference
Charlottetown PEI

NORTH OF 60

NORTH OF 60 - WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone in our Calgary SSVP community for your invaluable contributions to the "Fill the Can" 2023 project for the North of 60.

Thanks to your unwavering support, we have achieved something truly remarkable.

TWINNING

APPOINTMENT OF THREE NEW REGIONAL TWINNING COORDINATORS

The National Twinning Committee is made up of the National President (ex-officio), a Chairperson and Coordinators representing each of the 5 Regional Councils. The main tasks of the coordinators are to facilitate and promote the program and, to receive the annual reports from donor twins of their region.

The British Columbia & Yukon, Atlantic and Western Region Coordinators stepped down in early 2023 after several years of exemplary dedication to the program. Thanks to Donna, Judy and Cathy for your commitment to the program.

These positions are now filled.

Sister Ann Matthews is the new Coordinator for British Columbia & Yukon Region. Ann is President of the Okanagan Valley Particular Council.

Sister Patricia Mount, a member of St. Joseph's Conference, Italy Cross, Nova Scotia, will represent the Atlantic Region.

Brother Mike Langedock has gratefully accepted to serve the Western Region. Mike is a member of the St. Timothy’s Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

These appointments were approved by the Presidents of the three Regional Councils.

I thank Ann and Patricia and Mike for agreeing to get involved in the twinning program and thus contribute to Vincentian fraternity and solidarity with the poorest of this world.

I ask for your prayers for them and for the Society at the start of their mandate.

Clermont Fortin, Chair
National Twinning Committee

SPIRITUALITY

Manifesting His Works

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ He answered, “It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but the works of God might be made manifest in him.”” (John 9:1-2)

Pope Francis in “The Joy of the Gospel” declares: “If we are to share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves, we also have to realize that every person is worthy of our giving. Not only for their physical appearance, their abilities, their language, their way of thinking, or for any satisfaction that we might receive, but rather because they are God’s handiwork, his creation. God created that person in His image, and he or she reflects something of God’s glory. Every human being is the object of God’s infinite tenderness, and He himself is present in their lives. Jesus offered his precious blood on the cross for that person. Appearances notwithstanding, every person is immensely holy and deserves our love.”