Dear Sister and Brother Vincentians,

As the new year begins and we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, it is “a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels (Lk. 2:14) and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace.” (Pope Paul VI). And as the Society President General said, “Our conferences, special works and Councils are truly protected by the love of Our Lady, who gives us the encouragement and faith we need so much to find ways to keep on serving in our Vincentian work, especially for those most in need.”

As 2021 ends and we reflect on the challenges of the past year, let us move forward into 2022 with a renewed spirit of hope, faith and service.

Wishing you, your families and fellow Vincentians a peaceful, joyful and healthy New Year.

God Bless,
Ann
serviens in spe

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TO ALL CONFERENCES AND COUNCILS

Pass-up Contributions

Thank you to the Conferences and Councils who passed up contributions in 2021 despite the challenging year with the pandemic.

This letter is for the purpose of requesting 2022 pass-up contributions from Conferences and Councils to ONRC and National. The assessed pass-up contribution is $250 per Conference and Council to ONRC, and $280 per Conference and Council to National.

We ask that Conferences pass up their $530 assessed contribution to the next higher Council which will be a Particular Council or, in the case of Isolated Conferences, to ONRC. Particular Councils will then pass up their assessed contribution for their Council and Conferences within their Particular Council to the next higher level, which could be a Central Council or ONRC. Central Councils will pass up their assessed contribution for their Central Council, Particular Councils and Conferences to ONRC.

Should your Conference not be in a financial position to cover the assessed amount, we suggest that your Particular or Central Council consider covering your assessed amount if they are in a financial position to do so. If a Particular or Central Council or Isolated Conference is not in a financial position to cover the assessed amount, please reach out and let me know at anntsx@mac.com. Should Conferences and Councils have excess funds, these surplus funds should be passed up to the next higher Council, as stated in Sections 2.15.1 of the Canadian Rule and Statutes, to support our work done locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Should you prefer to make your pass-up contributions in smaller payments, you can consider making monthly or quarterly payments rather than one payment for the entire amount.

ONRC makes quarterly payments to National to cover Ontario’s pass up contribution. We normally pass up more than our assessed amount to help provide for those Conferences and Councils across Canada who cannot financially cover the assessed amount.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a global family where we all help one another to aid persons in need. Pass-up contributions assist regional and national committees to do work such as starting up or rejuvenating conferences and councils and providing seed money for social justice projects. The Ozanam Education Fund is an excellent example of an Ontario Region program that uses conference contributions to support individuals with obtaining post-secondary schooling as a means to break the cycle of poverty. At the National level, we have the Seeds of Hope project which encourages low-income families to plan for their children’s future education. The North of 60 initiative which assists Indigenous communities in the north, is funded both regionally and nationally.

Please send cheques destined for the Ontario Regional Council to:
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
38 - 1502 Warbler Woods Walk
London, ON N6K 0A7

Thank you in advance for your pass-up contributions and heartfelt thanks for bringing compassion and joy to neighbours in need.
Sincerely,
Ann Massel, President

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Annual Reports

It is that time of year when year-end financial reports are due. You can find the forms on the National Council website ssvp.ca/members/forms/annual-reports/. (From the main page, ssvp.ca, click on Members, then Forms, then Annual Reports.) National Council shares the information gathered with the federal government, the International Council General, donors, and to all members of the Society. We know that Society volunteers give hours of their time, in many different ways, serving individuals and families in need. It is important to be knowledgeable of the breadth and depth of this service. The annual reports will also help the National Council to focus on areas of growth, development, special activities, education and support.

Please forward your reports to your next higher council:

Conferences:
SECTION A-B1 AND E1 before January 30, 2022

Particular Councils:
SECTION A-B2, C-D1 and E2 (Consolidated Reports) before February 20, 2022

Central Councils:
SECTION A-B2, C-D2 and E2 (Consolidated Reports) to March 10, 2022

Regional Council:
SECTION A-B2, C-D2 and E2 (Consolidated Reports) to before March 31, 2022