SSVP CANADA - January 11, 2023

NEWSLETTER

NATIONAL COUNCIL

STAYING CONNECTED

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada has 13,000 members and more than 800 councils/conferences. Collectively this represents a huge amount of service to people in need, all of it done in the Vincentian spirit of humility and generosity. One of the challenges with such a large productive organization is keeping everyone informed about how the Society is doing, what it is doing, and where it is going. This has been a topic of discussion at the National level… how can we communicate more effectively?

COUNCIL GENERAL INTERNATIONAL

2023 WILL BE FULL OF COMMEMORATIVE DATES

We are ending 2022 and welcoming 2023, the year in which our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will celebrate, with the grace of God, its 190th anniversary.

But 2023 holds strong emotions about several other dates, which will also receive our support and appreciation. Let us look at some of these important dates.

SPIRITUALITY

SIMPLE REFLECTIONS BY JOSE I. TORRES

We will be presenting a series of five reflections over the next newsletters. These reflections offer insights on how our human journey converges with our hope-giving faith journey. They invite us to contemplate on how day-to-day conflicts, grievances and other burdens are mended by our faith in our eternal God’s mercy and in caring for others’ dignity.

Central to these reflections is the theme of sisterly and brotherly love, and service to others, including “listening with our hearts”, fostering deep relationships with those in need, sharing our gifts with them and growing our spirituality.

Conference and Councils may consider using them in their future regular meetings

REFLECTION 4 - A WORLD PASSING AWAY

“The world in its present form is passing away.”
(1 Corinthians 7:31)

In his address to the faithful of the Diocese of Rome on September 18, 2021, the Holy Father acknowledges that in the time of COVID-19 pandemic, the world has cried out, showing its vulnerability and echoing its need for care. Meanwhile, in January 2022, CNN reported on a publication of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network noting of a global surge in acts of benevolence – donating to charity, helping a stranger, and volunteering – in the two years of the pandemic.

VINCENTIAN LIFE

SSVP CALENDAR

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Shawinigan Particular Council, is pleased to be associated with the publication of the historical calendar of Appartenance Mauricie for the year 2023.

MASS FOR THE SHUT-INS

Each year, members of the Cape Breton Conference in Nova Scotia attend mass for the shut-ins. This event has been going on for over 60 years. The Knights of Columbus started this annual event and still run it very well. This event was created for the sick who could not attend church.

SEEDS OF HOPE

BE THE LINK FROM AWARENESS TO ACCESS!

The federal government recently announced two important benefits:

- the Canada Dental Benefit and
- the One-time Top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Linda Alexander, Seeds of Hope Project Coordinator at seedsofhope@ssvp.ca.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

INTRODUCTION OF THE CONCEPT OF GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME

Guaranteed Basic Income

The National Advocacy Circle is comprised of Vincentians from across Canada that are interested in Social Justice. Our intention is to identify advocacy issues for our fellow Vincentians and suggest actions we can take for the benefit of our neighbours in need. We are presenting a series of articles promoting the consideration of a Guaranteed Basic Income to address the needs of Canadians living in poverty. Please share this information with your conferences, councils and parishioners.

Why is it important to start this conversation in the SSVP across Canada?

As written in the National Strategic Plan (2021 – 2024), Frédéric Ozanam observed the real situation of the poor and sought to be more and more effective in helping them in their human development. Charity and justice go together. Frédéric had the clear-sighted courage to seek a front-line social and political commitments in a troubled time in the life of his country.

TWINNING

SSVP – HOUSE REPAIRS IN KYIV, UKRAINE

Canada has two twinning partners with Ukraine. When the Russian Armed Forces invaded that country on February 24, 2022, contacts and the transfer of funds to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine ceased. The only communication that was maintained was through the International Territorial Vice-President Europe II – CGI (ITVP – Europe 2).

STORES

SSVP THRIFT STORES
A NEW BRAND HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul's thrift stores in Canada have begun a transition to a new look. Over the past several months, with the help of representatives from several thrift stores and councils, a new brand has been developed, Chez Vincent Thrift Stores; this was made possible with the support of the National Council of Canada and a creative brand development agency.

Several thrift stores have begun the work of introducing this new look. The Gatineau SSVP thrift stores adopted the new name; here you can see their new sign.

For more information, please contact us national@ssvp.ca.

Q&A

QUESTION

Do all Vincentians need a criminal record check to work with the Society?

ANSWER

The Society is committed to the protection and safeguarding of the persons served, the members, volunteers and employees (3.5). Screening is an obligation of all Councils and Conferences. Each province has a prescribed process for a Vulnerable Persons Check which is similar to a criminal record check but is more thorough with regard to complaints of abuse of children and elders. Checks need to be renewed every 5 years under the Federal Criminal Records Act but insurance providers may require 3 year checks as a condition of coverage.

THE RULE

1.6 ADAPTATION TO A CHANGING WORLD

Faithful to the spirit of its founders, the Society constantly strives for renewal, adapting to changing world conditions. It seeks to be ever aware of the changes that occur in human society and the new types of poverty that may be identified or anticipated. It gives priority to the poorest of the poor and to those who are most rejected by society.

IN CONCLUSION

We are always looking for Vincentian testimonials and conference/council activity stories. Send your stories to share with Vincentians across Canada to editor@ssvp.ca.

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Society of Saint Vincent de Paul - National Council of Canada

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