MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Consolidating our news distribution National currently has four different publications to share information, which people can subscribe to: Vincenpaul newsletter, the Monthly Reflections (Spirituality), social justice news via Changing Times, and ad hoc news as received from different sources. | | At the March 27 National Council of Canada meeting, it was decided to change to a biweekly newsletter, that combines all four publications. This new approach will allow us to publish information more quickly, as information becomes available. Everyone will be able to see in a consolidated manner all the information, and as a reader, you can zoom in to the sections that are of more interest to you. In addition to providing general news, information will be regrouped under headings like spirituality, social justice, formation, twinning, special projects such as North of 60, and questions and answers. Please share your work, your stories, including pictures, or testimonials of persons in need that have been assisted. Other Vincentians across the country want to hear from you. |
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
The week of April 18-24, 2021 is National Volunteer week. This year’s theme is THE VALUE OF ONE. THE POWER OF MANY.
VOLUNTEERS BRING CHANGE. The mission of the SSVP is more important than ever. The National Council of Canada would like to thank and recognize the significant contribution members provide to persons in need, and to thank them, especially in this more difficult period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vincentians from coast to coast have adapted with alternative and creative methods to assist in all possible ways. We are all impacted, but for some, it hurts more and our volunteers have stepped up. | My Dear Vincentian Friends, The National Council of Canada invites you to join a Society of Saint Vincent de Paul cross-Canada National Retreat. Theme: “We Are Called” Presenter: Rev Ain Leetma, Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Vancouver Date: May 8, 2021 10h00 am (Pacific)
11h00 am (Mountain)
12h00 pm (Central)
1h00 pm (Eastern)
2h00 pm (Atlantic)
2h30 pm (Newfoundland) | | This two-hour virtual gathering is open to all Vincentians, with time allowed after the retreat for further sharing and discussion. Even though a virtual gathering is not ideal for a retreat, it does provide an opportunity to connect from coast to coast. This will also be a foundation for further cross-nation retreats, meetings and ceremonies of this nature. We are looking forward to sharing with you; it will be so good to see you all, even via Zoom. PLEASE REGISTER HERE Thank you all. May God bless us all and the persons in need we serve. John Carey
Chair, National Spirituality Committee |
APPRECIATING THE APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN JESUS - Easter Reflection 2021
By Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie OMI
National Spiritual Advisor Easter is not just a liturgical feast to be celebrated, it is a process meant to be entered into and lived. When Jesus told his disciples to take up their cross and follow him, he was inviting us to participate in his Paschal Mystery, involving his Passion, Death and Resurrection, the appearances to his disciples, his ascension into heaven, and the sending of the Spirit birthing the Church at Pentecost. CONTINUE READING HERE | NATIONAL HOUSING CAMPAIGN On February 7, 2021, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul launched its national housing campaign on the theme of Safe, Secure and Affordable Housing is a Human Right. On Saturday, April 24, a housing champion forum will be held at 1:00 pm (Eastern), and will include an overview of the housing campaign, a special guest speaker Michèle Biss from the National Right to Housing Network, followed by a question & answer period. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jim Paddon at j-rep-js@ssvp.ca. | | RESTORATIVE JUSTICE & PRISON MINISTRY By Jim Paddon, Chair
National Social Justice Committee | | Our national social justice committee includes the topics of advocacy, systemic change and restorative justice. There is little doubt about the relationship between the criminal justice system and poverty. One might argue that poverty is a major factor in why people turn to crime as a means to attaining a life that resembles what we all hope for. Of course, the result is usually a criminal record and prison time away from family and loved ones, thereby contributing to, rather than alleviating, the challenges of a life lived in poverty. A criminal history is often associated with substance abuse, mental and physical health concerns as well facing huge barriers in finding employment or furthering one’s education. Covid-19 has also had a number of outbreaks in prisons across Canada. There is also a higher ratio among people of colour who are affected by the criminal justice system. Victims of crime include the families of both the criminal and the victim and often result in them facing a life in poverty as well as trying to deal with the aftermath of a crime. CONTINUE READING HERE
CHANGING TIMES
Please see our Changing Times newsletter directory here. | COMMUNITY COOKING POTS - PERU By Clermont Fortin, Chair
National Twinning Committee The Covid-19 health crisis has hit the poor hard in Peru, seriously affecting income and family nutrition. The Superior Council of Peru, twinning with Durham Particular Council, Ontario, has asked for help for the extension of its nutrition program, Community Cooking Pots, in its capital, Lima. The food assistance program has been managed by the Council of Peru with supporting councils and conferences and other partners, since 2008. The new initiative is an offer of food rations to members of 496 families who have been affected by the coronavirus epidemic for a period of about six months. CONTINUE READING HERE | | BEDS AND BEDDING By Daryl Dittrich and Peter Ouellette
Western Region - North of 60 Project A Vincentian recently said to me,
” If you want product to go to the most needy areas and people, just ask Saint Vincent de Paul to do it.” | | Well, that is so true from an experience in December last year when Cenovus Energy offered SSVP in Edmonton about 1200 mattress and box spring pieces. A great opportunity/problem to have. Divine Providence came through at the same time with an offering of several pallets of sheets and blankets from Right Choice Catering , a work camp supply company. Beds and bedding from different northern Alberta resource industry work camps, and after inspection, we found all product to be in excellent condition. CONTINUE READING HERE | Q: There are a few conferences and some councils that run Special Works. Many, but not all, are stores. There seems to be a lack of understanding concerning the proper roles and responsibilities between those Special Works and the conference or council that owns or operates them. For example, sometimes a store committee believes it has complete autonomy to make every decision without input from or oversight by the conference or council. Can you clarify how this relationship should work? | A: A Special Work is an SSVP service, program, thrift store, food bank, soup kitchen, shelter, summer camp, etc., that is governed by a council or conference and operated by members and/or paid staff. It is not self-governed, and any decision must be made with oversight and approval by its owner, either a Conference or Council. A Special Work is devoted to a specific location, with staff or volunteers working on it year-round; otherwise, it is considered a project. The relationship between a council/conference and its Special Works should exist with the understanding that any Special Work of the Society must ultimately be under the governance of a Council or a Conference with associated governance tools. | | 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. If you received this from a friend, you can subscribe to receive our newsletter directly. SUBSCRIBE HERE | | | | |
