Dear Brother and Sister Vincentians,



Conference Presidents, please share this monthly news with your members to keep everyone connected with what is happening at the Ontario Regional and National level. Particular and Central Council Presidents, please share this monthly news with your Vincentian members who may not belong to a Conference, and feel free to email questions or comments to linda@ssvp.on.ca. Thank you.

SPIRITUAL MATTERS
The December spiritual reflection reminds us that Advent is a time for peaceful prayer and waiting in joyful hope preparing for the birth of Jesus.

Tend the Flame spiritual reflection prepared by Deacon Gord Jenkinson gives us food for thought.

Claude Bedard, National Spirituality Committee Representative and National President Elect shares "10 Lessons to Help us Prepare for the Greatest Birthday".

Please continue to pray our Prayer for Vocations to the Vincentian Family at all meetings praying for an increase in membership. You can print and attach to your Opening/Closing Prayer.

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR
Hope you had some great celebrations within your parishes for World Day of the Poor on the weekend of November 17/18. Stores raised awareness of World Day of the Poor by doing various promotions the week leading up to November 18.

Please email photographs and your feedback about World Day of the Poor to linda@ssvp.on.ca sharing information on what you did within your community, what worked well with the Campaign, how we can make improvements for next year, and did you recruit volunteers and/or receive donations as a result of the Campaign.

We are hoping to make this an annual event, and we need to hear from you on your experiences and how we can improve in future, so please be sure to share your feedback.

I encourage you to view the Daily Mass celebrated by Monsignor Sam Bianco, Spiritual Advisor for Toronto Central Council, on November 14.

YOUTH
Please check out the ONRC Youth website which has a lot of excellent information. Recent documents created by ONRC youth representatives, Sophia Mutuc and Lil Mulder, include various guidelines and forms. The London youth took part in their annual "Last Post" on November 10 and Jenna Goldsack shares her experience this year.

NORTH OF 60 (from Pegg Leroux)
Energy, excitement, and a renewed sense of togetherness is brewing. We have 2 new communities hoping their adoption will be established and we are continuing to gather and share for the 7 communities we have already embraced.

There is always room for your support. You can help with gathering food items for a community or with financial support helping North of 60 with the purchase of sea containers, food items, and our transportation costs. Every piece is vital for the continued support and growth of this much needed project.

If you have any questions or would like Pegg to make a visit to your conference/council, do not hesitate to email pegg@ssvp.on.ca and she will be there in a jiffy.

Thank you everyone for your support!
ANNUAL REPORTS
Please note that due dates for Annual Reports have changed slightly from previous years.

Conference reports due: January 30, 2019
Particular Council reports due: February 20, 2019
Central Council reports due: March 10, 2019

The revised annual reports will be available by mid December at https://www.ssvp.ca/annual-reports.

It is imperative that your annual reports be submitted to the next higher level to allow that level to complete their report by their required due date. Unfortunately, we did not receive annual reports by required due dates last year, and I would like to put out a challenge to all Treasurers and Presidents to ensure we receive your annual reports by the required due dates in 2019. It is extremely important that we receive your reports to have accurate information when reporting statistics to government agencies and Foundations for advocacy and fundraising purposes.

BEST PRACTICES
Purse Project Hamilton
Dentistry from the Heart
Recycled Computer Program

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

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

Linda Dollard
President