SSVP CANADA NEWS - December 8, 2021

NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

A new liturgical year has begun and in eager anticipation we await the feast of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us renew our commitment to serve with love, respect, justice and joy.

All around us, the world is in a topsy-turvy mode. All seems hell-bent on destroying the past. We are told that nothing good can come from the past. It appears that all is up for grabs and that no one and nothing is safe from the cancel culture and political correctness agenda. Everything and everyone is subjected to the scrutiny of the most recent cause in vogue for the day. Fear reigns supreme, everyone runs for cover.

BRITISH COLUMBIA FLOODS

British Colombia has been severally hit by extreme weather events during 2021. In November, severe downpours have resulted in catastrophic associated flooding which will take months to recover; not only have people lost their homes, they've also lost their jobs, their schools and their communities. Conferences and councils in British Columbia are working to assist in whatever way possible; in the lower mainland and in the Kamloops and Okanagan regions, they are responding to the influx of people needing assistance.

A National Emergency appeal has been established to assist with the need. Donations via “Donate” on the National web page; please direct your donation to “National Emergency – British Columbia floods”

DONATE

2021 FINANCIAL AND STATISTICS ANNUAL REPORTS

The Annual Report document is designed to provide a consistent reporting format that will accomplish three things:

provide a template that will lend itself to assisting the members of the National Council of Canada to speak with some authority and knowledge regarding the activities of all conferences and councils in Canada;
provide a template for conferences and councils to measure the scope of service according to the Rule and Canadian statutes;
enable a comprehensive annual report to be prepared for the International Council General.

ANNUAL REPORTS

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES

The Fund Development Committee is preparing resources for conferences and councils across Canada identifying fundraising initiatives to help raise funds to carry out our Mission of serving persons in need. We want to hear from you on your tried and successful initiatives to raise funds for the Society in your community that could be leveraged in other communities.

Please email your ideas to Linda Dollard, Chair of the Fund Development Committee.

Thank you for sharing what has worked for you and can be replicated in other communities.

LINDA DOLLARD

VINCENTIAN ACTIVITIES

TWINNING

Twinning Project: A Privilege and a Joy!

The St. John/Holy Spirit Conference for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Edmonton was instituted on October 15, 2002 and was one of the first to take on the task of serving the less fortunate in central west Edmonton. Our community is home to many low-income families, in many cases the working poor, often single-parent families who must hold down two or three jobs just to pay the rent and feed their families.

NORTH OF 60 PROJECT

Finding heads for our beds: Cenovus Mattress Donation

Cenovus Energy has again donated double- and queen-sized mattresses to First Nation communities in Southern Alberta.

SSVP North of 60, SSVP CDCC, and SSVP Western region arranged for the mattresses to be picked up from the Cenovus warehouse by Premier Van Lines. The mattresses were then stored in the lower hall at St. Albert the Great Church and our SSVP Sea Can.

LISTENING TO OUR COMMUNITIES, ALL THE WAY TO KUUJJUAQ!

This year, we benefitted from a $15,000 grant from Hydro-Québec as part of Opération Bonne Mine.

The amount received was redistributed to member organizations of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul across the province to help fill the back-to-school needs of young people from low-income families. School supplies, gift cards and other items were purchased and given to more than 400 pre-selected youth.

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

ADVENT LETTER

The Sick and the Elderly Strong Builders of a Bright and Hope-Filled Future

Every year, the Church offers us the gift of the grace-filled period called “Advent” that helps us to prepare our hearts and minds in a special way for the Christmas season. Continuing the reflection on Saint Vincent de Paul as a “Mystic of Charity,” I invite all of us in this year’s Advent season to meditate on the indisputable and vital mission that the sick and elderly have in the Church and in the world, and, therefore, in our Congregations, Associations, communities, families, and groups.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

DECEMBER NEWS

As we near the end of 2021 and hopefully begin to see some light leading to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to thank all Vincentians for their efforts this past year. In addition, many thanks to our social justice reps and supporters across Canada. Charity and Justice are our two foundational pillars.

QUESTION & ANSWER

Q: What changes/adaptations are possible for a conference / council in relation to "The Rule"?

A: All conferences and councils are expected to follow the Rule and Statutes, and Nationally approved policies and by-laws. In addition, the conferences and councils are expected to have their own set of guidelines for how they will operate locally. There can be nothing in the conference/council guidelines that contradicts The Rule, by-laws, the Operations Manual policies and procedures, or spirit of the Society. The guidelines should be in writing, approved by the conference/council as a whole, and distributed to the members.

To assist, on the National website, you will find a series of formation material on Vincentian Life and Leadership https://ssvp.ca/members/training.

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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