TRANSFORMING A SOCIAL NARRATIVE BY LISTENING

Someone once said, “Being listened to is so close to being loved, most people can’t tell the difference.”

The outrage across the nation and the church around the issue of Indian Residential Schools and unmarked graves, has become a heavy social narrative that has in some ways, taken on a life of its own beyond anyone’s power to manage. This very painful situation leaves many of us wondering what we can do, how can we best respond to the anger, lashing out, blaming, and sometimes acts of violence?

As simple as it may seem, I believe listening from the heart to the voices of those hurting the most, until we “get it,” is the best response.

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CIAD’s ANNUAL REPORT 2021

The Commission for International Aid and Development is one of the CGI’s international solidarity arms, which supports the SSVP worldwide in emergency humanitarian actions and disaster rehabilitation programmes, as well as in social and sustainable development projects.

We herein publish the 2021 Annual Report. Despite reduced activity due to the pandemic, the CIAD could provide assistance to 31 countries, which approximately amounted to €350,000. The reconstruction of houses in Indonesia, support for refugees in Lebanon, food aid in Madagascar, an agricultural development project in Haiti, or support for a retirement home in Colombia are just some examples of this Commission’s work, which is detailed in this report.

CIAD REPORT

WEBINAR - NATIONAL FUND DEVELOPMENT

The National Fund Development Committee is inviting Vincentians to witness the work performed by the Committee since its creation in June 2021 to identify and to develop communications and fund development strategies, with associated resources, to be used by the multiple levels within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.

A webinar in English will be held on Saturday February 26 at 1:00 pm (Eastern), and in French at 10:30 am (Eastern).

Register in advance for this meeting:

ENGLISH
Saturday February 26, 1:00 pm (Eastern)

REGISTER HERE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

FRANCAIS
Samedi 26 février, 10:30 (heure de l'Est)

INSCRIPTION ICI

TWINNING - GUATEMALA

The National Council of Guatemala is twinned with the North Fraser Particular Council, BC. This is a resumé of their report for year 2020-21.

The National Council carried out various activities during this pandemic with the Vincentian family of Quetzaltenango (northwest part of the country), including:

• assistance to the Mercy Home for the Elderly;
• Vincentian family meetings;
• collaboration in the construction of a house for those affected by natural disasters.

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350 MILESTONE

Halton reaches a wonderful milestone of helping 350 children get access to the Canada Learning Bond!

That is up to $700,000 of federal funding that has been brought into Halton to improve educational outcomes.

We have celebrated every precious child who has received this hope by providing a $100 contribution cheque into the RESP (which then was matched by 40% by the federal government, leveraging donor funds).

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Q: We have a conference president approaching the end of his/her second term and trying to plan her/her succession. No current member of this active conference seems willing to step up to succeed. If that does not change, what should happen with the conference?

A: The primarily approach should not be to close the conference. Understanding why no conference members are willing to step forward to be servant-leaders should be the first step; understanding the reluctance in order to alleviate these blockers is extremely important. It is also important to note that it is a team effort. A particular council could appoint someone if no one steps forward, but this is not the preferred approach. The current president must NOT stay in office beyond their elected second term.

To assist, a Conference Executive Team module is available (LEAD-4) in the National formation repository.

FORMATION RESOURCES

BOOKLET - 8$

History of the presidents of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada (bilingual)

This booklet contains a short biography and a photo (or illustration) of each of the sixteen Presidents of the Superior Council of Canada, since 1846 (year of the foundation of the SSVP in Canada) to the present day.

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