2026 – Celebrating 180 years of SSVP in CANADA

YES – the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded in Quebec City in 1846 – our Society has become very well established across Canada with established Conferences and Councils in each Province. One hundred and eighty (180) years later, as a Society, we continue to reach out with our Christian calling to seek and find the forgotten, the suffering or the deprived by bringing them our love. We also bring them Hope and Joy as we serve Christ in His poor. During the recent Christmas Season of 2025, we celebrated the birth of Christ not only by honouring Him but by ensuring that we extended our love to His poor by supplying hampers of food, grocery vouchers, store gift cards and requested gifts to numerous children in need, thereby allowing the ones that we served to have a joyous Christmas.

My wishes to you for a Happy New Year as we welcome the start of 2026, let us do so by continuing to build our Society and move forward with the celebration mode. Celebrating 180 years of Vincentian work in Canada is a huge achievement and we must move forward with the grit to continue our great Vincentian work as we reflect on our 180 years and celebrate.

One of our SSVP values is to “come together as a family”. This means assembling to share one Vincentian friendships and exchange the latest news and happenings among us. This brings me to personally invite each of you to our 2026 Spring Assembly and AGM which is being held in Stratford on April 17th and 18th. A great setting in which we can boost our formation. Our Vincentian forefathers did not just sit around; they personally engaged with each other thereby encouraging growth. On our website, www.ssvp.on.ca you will find the schedule, hotel arrangements and the registration Form for the Spring Assembly. With this invitation, I hope to see you in Stratford. Please feel free to share this invitation with other Vincentians.
We are reaching out to you and inviting applications to join our Board of Directors. Three of our Board members have completed their term and will be stepping down in June. We are therefore looking to fill these positions. Also, our treasurer will be stepping down in June. Anyone that is interested in filling this position may submit his/her name for consideration.
While on a monetary note. This is a reminder that the National Support Fee (NSF) of $300 and the Regional Support Fee (RSF) of $300 is now due. This is a total of $600 for each Conference, Particular Council and Central Council. All Councils are to ensure that Conferences submit their Support Fees. All monies are to be forwarded to our Regional Council as soon as possible. Monies due to National will be forwarded by Regional.
Here is a SAVE THE DATE of great importance. Our Regional Council will be hosting a “Black Tie GALA EVENT” on Friday, September 18th at the Oakville Convention Centre. The cost will be $150 per person with each receiving a $75 tax receipt. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE. Anyone wishing to help is asked to email me at, president@ssvp.on.ca We are still in the planning stages and will be looking for help with our Silent Auction items. Please ask fellow Vincentians and friends to help with their attendance and donations. Please refer to our website, for regular updates starting in March.
In closing, I would like to share with you that Greg Blick, a Past President of Lakeshore Particular Council, passed away on Thursday 5th. His funeral will be held on Saturday 14th @ 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Grafton. Please pray for Greg and his family.
Greg and I first met at one of the ONRC Assemblies and continued to meet at each Assembly, including National ANFs and became great friends over the last 20 years.

Wishing you a 2026 full of joy and celebrations on behalf of our ONRC Board of Directors.
In Vincent and Ozanam.

Guido Kelly,
President, SSVP Ontario Regional Council.
February 9, 2026