SSVP CANADA - July 19, 2023
 

NEWSLETTER

NATIONAL COUNCIL

MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT ELECT

Thank you to Vincentians across Canada for your support in electing me as your new National Council President effective October 1, 2023. I am excited to work with you to help carry out our mission of serving people in need across the country.

I want to thank Pascal LaRouche for putting his name forward as a candidate, which allowed us to have an election for this key role.

As Pierre Morissette, our current interim President, was unable to attend the International General Assembly, I had the pleasure of representing Canada in Rome from June 13th to 17th in my current interim Vice-President role.

It was an amazing experience to meet and speak with some of the 150 representatives from around the world, hearing stories of their work with the Society and how they help people in need.

The election for the new International President General took place. Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez from Spain won the election.

There were excellent presentations and workshops on a number of topics. I especially recommend the youth group’s "Guide for Creating Youth Conferences at Universities" and a presentation on “SSVP Safeguarding Framework”.

Information was also shared on Governance and Conference Rejuvenation, I will share those links once they are posted on the International website.

Should you wish to reach out to me, feel free to email linda.dollard@ssvp.ca.

I look forward to working with you over the next several years.

Linda Dollard
President Elect
 

ANNUAL NATIONAL FORMATION

Thank you to all the presenting speakers and the participants who joined us at this year’s ANF in Ottawa. We loved hosting you and appreciate the positive feedback on the workshops and activities; you can find all presentations as well as a pictorial summary of the event here:

https://ssvp.ca/members/resources/anf/

While we prepare next year’s event, read the next article, a thought-provoking commentary on Servant Leadership, the event’s theme, submitted by Jose I. Torres, a Vincentian from Mississauga Ontario.

Philippe E. Blain
Executive Director
 

THE 2023 ANNUAL NATIONAL FORMATION
Servant Leadership: Discernment, Stewardship, Advocacy and Witness

By Jose I. Torres

For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10.45)

The 2023 Annual National Formation (ANF), held at Carleton University (Ottawa) from June 9 to 10, featured a range of topics, which included, among others, Affordable Housing, Rejuvenation & Recruitment, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Immigration and Social Justice. The theme for this year was Servant Leadership.

Upon which the theme was grounded are a few questions. What does it mean to a Vincentian as a servant leader? How should servant leadership’s relevance be viewed in the context of critical issues posed at this year’s National Formation? How is servant leadership best exemplified?

READ MORE

TWINNING

TWINNING WITH DOMINICA

Holy Rosary Conference, Milton ON is twinning with St. Patrick’s Conference, Grand Bay, Dominica, WI.

The President of the recipient Conference wrote a letter of appreciation to its Canadian partner in May 2023, herein is an extract of the letter:

Greetings to you the members of the Holy Rosary Conference Canada in the most wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ from your brothers and sisters of St. Patrick’s Conference Grand Bay. (Dominica)

We give God thanks for his goodness working through you all in serving his people with love and compassion.

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SPIRITUALITY

PROFESSING OUR FAITH

Martha said to Jesus, “I know that Lazarus will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. He said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”” (John 11:24-26)

Martha thought Jesus was pointing to the end-time resurrection of the dead, when she was consoled and reminded her brother Lazarus would rise. However, when Jesus declared He was the Resurrection and the Life, she powerfully professed her faith of who Jesus is – Christ, the Son of God, the one coming into the world. Her burden was part of His mysterious design.

READ MORE

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

2463 Innes Rd. Ottawa, ON  K1B 3K3