SSVP CANADA NEWS - April 13, 2022

NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

HE IS RISEN Alleluia Alleluia; PRAISE THE LORD Alleluia Alleluia

Happy Easter, one and all. May God bless you and your families both in time and eternity.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was born of one man, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, who had a vision and a desire to love and serve God by loving and serving his neighbour. There is an irresistibility and a magnetism that emanates from such a person that attracts followers.

Over time, followers came forth in droves, which lead to formation and order with all its incumbent rules, regulations and policies. Growth requires that these be updated and modified to meet internal and external demands precipitated by ever-changing conditions and developments, many of which are outside our purview.

ANNUAL NATIONAL FORMATION

We are excited to invite you to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Annual National Formation (ANF) to be held in Ottawa on June 17 and 18, 2022 at Carleton University.

The theme for the 2022 ANF is HUNGER; this theme covers hunger on different levels, such as hunger for spirituality, human contact, the continuity of SSVP as well as the hunger we address in our communities related to food insecurities.

We are offering multiple workshops in French and English and a Live Chat Room for an opportunity to exchange ideas and enter into conversations with our fellow Vincentians on their initiatives. We are also pleased to offer a plenary session with a keynote speaker (TBA). The theme of HUNGER will be a thread that runs throughout the two-day event.

The Live Chat Room / Exposition Hall is a forum where members, conferences or councils can identify a topic for discussion or share their successful initiatives/projects with other Vincentians. Please reserve a spot at the Live Chat Room to present your initiative or project by filling this submission form.

Workshops are typically 75 minutes long, to include presentation with a question and answer period. Presenters must provide their own presentation material. Please submit your workshop proposal by filling this submission form.

Please submit by April 30.

This in-person event is long-awaited after our hibernation over the last two years. Our hope is to create an inspiring and uplifting event in which we can once again network and enjoy each other’s company and wisdom. We hope to see you there.

National Formation Committee

Please note that at the March 26 National Council board meeting, it was decided to have the statutory meeting, a.k.a. as the Annual General Assembly (AGA), at a later date.

UKRAINE

In solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are being pressured to leave their beloved country to flee the war, and to assist with the exodus of people from Ukraine to neighboring countries or refugees who will be coming to Canada, the National Council of Canada has established a special appeal “Emergency Ukraine”; in conjunction with the International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD) , funds will be directed where aids will be required.

Donations can be made at:

MAKE A DONATION

DIRECT AID FROM SSVP INTERNATIONAL IN THE FACE OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Council General International World News

The Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD) has provided emergency donations to assist refugees and establish contacts with Vincentians in the border areas with Ukraine in order to strengthen emergency aid.

REFLECTION

WHEN JUSTICE AND PEACE SHALL KISS

Given that adequate housing is an issue of social justice, it might be helpful to look at the concept of justice in light of the need for a home for all.

Psalm 85, one of my favourite biblical passages in terms of justice, can serve as an opening prayer for this reflection: Steadfast love and faithfulness shall meet; righteousness and peace shall kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

As mentioned in our March 23^rd edition, I would like to provide social justice resources in both April and May editions that will focus on several topics, with the goal of expanding our current social justice network of committees, reps and supporters.

In addition to our National Social Justice Committee, we have the following subcommittees:

Advocacy Circle
MultiCultural Diversity Committee (MCDC)
Indigenous Sharing Circle (ISC)
Housing Campaign Committee
Prison Ministry Network

WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WHY SHOULD SSVP BE INVOLVED?

A couple of questions often asked are what is social justice and why should SSVP be involved? Let me use two definitions. The first is the standard one found in dictionaries. It reads… the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice.

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Our National Housing Campaign’s theme is… Safe, Secure and Affordable Housing is a Human Right. This aptly describes how important and vital it is for every individual and family in today’s world to have an adequate place to live. Whether being able to buy or simply rent one, having a place to call home can mean so much to our fellow Canadians and newcomers.

TWINNING

JAMAICA

Assistance to the Ozanam & St. Clare Home for the Aged

The St. John Vianney Conference, Barrie, Ontario is twinning with a conference in Jamaica. The twinning contact of the Jamaican conference, Sis. Millicent Branch, is also an executive member of the National Council of Jamaica. For several years, the National Council of Jamaica has been operating the Ozanam & St. Clare Home for the Aged in Kingston, the nation’s capital. Sis. Millicent requested urgent financial assistance from St. John Vianney Conference to keep the Ozanam Home open.

QUESTION & ANSWER

Q: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would like me to submit the T3010 for my conference online instead of on paper. I need to become a representative. How do I do that?

A: Returns (e.g. T3010) can be filed electronically with NETFILE. NETFILE is an online filing service that allows registrants to file their returns directly with CRA. There is a two-step process to achieve this. The first step is to obtain a Representative ID (repID) from CRA; the second step is to submit your information to National in order for National to confirm with CRA that you are authorized. Please refer to form 9.7.2 in the National Operations Manual.

9.7.2 FORM

PROMOTIONAL ITEM

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.

BUY NOW

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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