NEWS

THE PAPAL VISIT TO CANADA

INDIGENOUS EXPECTATIONS AND A VINCENTIAN RESPONSE

On Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the itinerary of Pope Francis for his upcoming journey to Canada was officially announced. He will land in Edmonton for four events: Maskwacis First Nation – home of TRC commissioner Chief Willie Littlechild and site of a former residential school; Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples whose pastor Fr. Susai Jesu OMI placed a stole on him at the general audience in Rome; a Eucharist for the public at the Commonwealth Stadium, and a visit to the Lac St Anne pilgrimage site. From there he will travel to Quebec City for two days, then up to Ikaluit for a short encounter with survivors, and from there he will fly back to Rome.

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ANNUAL NATIONAL FORMATION (ANF)

A TIME IN MY VINCENTIAN JOURNEY

Jose I. Torres

“By their fruits, you will know them.” (Matthew 7:16)

As a regular member at the St. John of the Cross Mississauga, Ontario, Conference since 2019, I’ve immersed myself in my Conference and, of late, a few Greater Toronto Central Council works. My interest bolstered by my fellow Conference Vincentians’ positive accounts led me to this year’s Annual National Formation (ANF), which was held at the Carleton University Campus, Ottawa from June 17th and 18th.

The two-year hiatus brought about by public health restrictions could have made this year’s gathering of old and new friends alike more anticipated and welcomed.

The 2022 ANF headlined and explored the theme, “Hunger” and its many threads: physical hunger, spiritual hunger, hunger to connect and interact, to belong. Here are my takeaways on café-style booths, sessions held in the auditorium and breakout rooms and the over-all event.

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 PHOTO COMPILATION OF THE FNA 2022 ACTIVITIES

ANF PHOTOS

ANF - TWINNING PROMOTION ACTIVITIES

On June 17, during the Annual National Formation, the first in-person since 2019, the national twinning committee took the opportunity to promote the program.

We set up a kiosk with a display showing photographs of activities carried out thanks to Canada's twinning contributions. Nicole Schryburt, Twinning Administrative Assistant at the National Council of Canada, provided information and answered questions from Vincentians.

Also, an exchange by Zoom videoconference took place with representatives of national councils of two countries twinned with Canada.

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NORTH OF 60

BROOKLYN’S BUNDLES

I started a project in memory of my daughter, Brooklyn. It is called “Brooklyn’s Bundles”. She passed very suddenly, from this world to the next, in 2017 and she was only 18 years of age, from a spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage. This has devastated our family. Brooklyn loved babies, littles ones and was very active in her faith community. With that sentiment, I am gathering lightly used and new clothing for babies and toddlers. I am washing, sorting the clothing into coordinated outfits and putting them in zip lock bags with labels. I have to admit that in my grief, shopping seems to be a way of finding peace, the thought of helping others is great therapy and keeping my beautiful daughter’s memory alive.

Val Johnson, St. Albert, Alberta

Many kits of clothing were shipped to Ulukhaktok and to Tsiigehtchic, SSVP North of 60 Project communities. Since these cans were packed up and shipped North, Val continued to shop and made more than a hundred more bundles. Those were delivered recently to the SSVP distribution centre for distribution to Edmonton area clients.

Linda Tutt, Chair 
St. Albert Conference, North of 60 Project (with Ulukhaktok)

VINCENTIANS HONOURED

On June 5, as Volunteer of the Year, the Municipality of Saint-Tite-des-Caps chose to honour an organization that has been in existence in the municipality for 35 years: the Saint-Tite-des-Caps Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

A plaque was presented to the organization, in addition to the plaques given to the volunteers who have been involved with this conference for over 20 years.

Congratulations to the members of the Saint-Tite-des-Caps Conference!

Photo, from left to right: Jocelyne Duclos, Yolande Pichette, Guy Ferland, Gaston Simard, Louisette Morency, Hélène Gravel, Claude Simard and Hélène Blouin

QUESTION & ANSWER

QUESTION

Can a husband and wife belong to the same conference?

ANSWER

Husbands and wives can indeed belong to the same conference; this is not against the Rule. As Vincentians, we are encouraged to increase membership by extending an invitation to our family members to join. However, husband and wife should not both serve as officers simultaneously on the same conference or council. Officer positions are President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer.

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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