Hello Brother and Sister Vincentians,

Please note our spring meeting will be held in Toronto April 13-14, 2018. More details will be shared in early 2018.

SPIRITUAL MATTERS
The December spiritual reflection reminds us to give our best and lets us know that Advent season is an opportunity to grow in our Vincentian promise to serve Christ in His poor.

NEWSLETTER
Have you had a chance to read our November edition of Vincentimes focused on home visits. Please send to all members of your Conference to keep them up to date on our Vincentian Community.

COMMUNICATION
In an effort to improve our communications, we are in the process of updating our database and creating an accurate contact list of Vincentian Executive members. It is very important that we can effectively communicate with Vincentian leadership. We are also seeking the President election year as part of this contact listing. This information will identify Councils/Conferences who may benefit from the Succession Planning workshop. Identifying and Inviting the BEST qualified Vincentians nominated by their peers is a key objective as part of our Rejuvenation initiative. Please respond promptly to the Contact Record Information appeal when you hear from Sarah Davidson.

FINANCIAL MATTERS
The 2017 Annual Reports are now available on the National website.

Key dates to remember:
Conferences complete Annual Report & send to next higher level: January 31, 2018
Particular Councils complete Annual Report & send to next higher level: February 28, 2018
Central Councils complete Annual Report & send to ONRC: March 15, 2018
ONRC completes Annual Report to send to National: March 30, 2018

There is now a monthly report available on the National website to help track monthly statistical and financial information halfway down the page.

YOUTH
See what some of our youth are up to with their work cleaning The Last Post in London

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Please take the time to read Jim Paddon’s letter on Reconciliation and Vincentians as it relates to Indigenous people .

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE & NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES on DECEMBER 12

Our Blessed Mother Mary first appeared to Juan Diego, an Indigenous man, living in Mexico on December 9th, 1531. This date is also designated by the Catholic Church in Canada as the National Day of Prayer in solidarity with Indigenous peoples. Please pray for solidarity with our Indigenous sisters and brothers as we continue to grow in our knowledge and awareness of the culture, traditions and faith of Indigenous people in Canada. While our recent efforts with North of 60 with the Inuit people and our 1st Nations efforts in James Bay are examples of how we work collaboratively, there is much more we can and should do to improve relations. Please join us in prayer on December 12th for future solidarity with Indigenous people.

NATIONAL REMINDERS
A number of Operation Manual documents have been updated on the National website. Please note that the Annual Declaration of Criminal Offences is no longer required for insurance purposes and, therefore, this document has now been removed from the National Operations Manual.

Check out our Facebook page. Please forward news, stories and event information to me to have posted on our Facebook page

I know you are very busy with your Christmas programs helping to ensure that our friends receive a blessed Christmas.

Thank you for all the wonderful work you do helping our many friends in need. From ONRC, we wish you and your families a very blessed Christmas season.

Linda Dollard President