APPOINTMENT – INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION FUND

On Friday January 28, 2022, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) announced the establishment of a new registered charity to support advance healing and reconciliation initiatives. The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund will be managed with financial measures in place to ensure transparency and good governance. Board directors and members of the corporation will collectively bring a strong financial acumen and deep commitment to the healing and reconciliation journey.

Joining the Board of directors of the Fund is Claude Bédard, President of the National Council of Canada of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The Fund will prioritize healing and reconciliation for communities and families, culture and language revitalization, education and community building and dialogue for promoting Indigenous spirituality and culture.

CCCB ANNOUNCEMENT

PRESIDENT GENERAL'S CIRCULAR LETTER

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Circular Letter, written by the President General International, has been published.

The work of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, still marked by the pandemic, has not been hindered; instead, it has become a real challenge, as it was for the founders of the Conferences, who endured similar situations in their times.
 

CIRCULAR LETTER

COVENANT LOVE

It is difficult for us to rationally understand the idea of the love expressed in God's covenant. It is a type of love only God can give - unswaying, everlasting, constant, ever forgiving. It is as a father's relationship with his child - not always approving, even being disappointed at times, but always loving and accepting. It is an individual love for each of us, not an amorphous "mankind" but each individual.

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BLESSED ROSALIE RENDU

Feast Day - February 7

"In an era troubled by social conflicts, Rosalie Rendu joyfully became a servant to the poorest, restoring dignity to each one by means of material help, education and the teaching of the Christian mystery, inducing Frédéric Ozanam to place himself at the service of the poor.

Her charity was inventive. Where did she draw the strength to carry out so many things? From her intense prayer life and the continuous praying of the Rosary, which she never abandoned. Her secret was simple: to see the face of Christ in every man and woman, as a true daughter of St Vincent de Paul and like another Sister of her epoch, St Catherine Labouré. Let us give thanks for the witness of charity that the Vincentian family gives unceasingly to the world!"

Extract from Pope John Paul II's homely, on November 3, 2003, at the beatification of Rosalie Rendu.

BIOGRAPHY - ROSALIE

SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAIR REPORT – FEBRUARY 2022

I am pleased to provide an update on the work of some of our Social Justice sub-committees.

Jim Paddon, Chair
National Social Justice Committee

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Q: I went to the Police Station to obtain a renewal of my Vulnerability Sector Check (VSC), and the agent stated that this is not required for what I do as a Vincentian, even if I do Home Visit. What should I do?

A: Over the past several months, we have been hearing those certain police forces are not doing VSC anymore, and only do a police check. However, many insurance providers are still requiring that a VSC be performed. Please first consult your insurance provider if a police check is sufficient to retain coverage. Reminder that the insurance needs to cover:

• alleged abuse within the Society
• alleged abuse by persons being served by the Society
• alleged abuse by members of the Society against those being served

Please refer to the ABUSE PREVENTION GUIDELINES.

As defined by the Criminal Record Act, "vulnerable sector" means persons who are in a position of dependence on others, or are otherwise at a greater risk than the general population, of being harmed by persons in authority or trust to them. The categorization of the different levels of police verifications are:

• Level 1--Criminal Record Check (CRC) -- This check is intended for applicants who are involved as a volunteer, employee or in any situation where a basic CRC is requested (e.g., retail or immigration). This check is NOT intended for applicants who are seeking volunteer and/or employment with vulnerable persons (see Level 3 below).
• Level 2--Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJM) -- Similar to Level 1 and includes charges before the courts – not yet convicted.
• Level 3--Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) -- This check is restricted to applicants seeking employment and/or volunteering in a position of authority or trust relative to vulnerable persons in Canada only.

The current situation of police force putting in question the need for VSC is that since March 13, 2012, Pardons / Records suspensions are no longer granted in Canada for sex offences involving children and vulnerable adults, and no new names or new Canadians have been added since that date; more importantly, because this data base is not vetted, many of the names within it relate to deceased parties or those over 70 years of age.

SSVP Mask

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