Conference Presidents, please share this monthly news with your members to keep everyone connected with what is happening at all levels of the Society. Particular and Central Council Presidents, please share this monthly news with your Vincentian members who may not belong to a Conference.

SPIRITUAL MATTERS
The August spiritual reflection invites us to reflect on what we can do as Vincentians to alleviate poverty and suffering where we live. Feel free to reach out to Denise Bondy should you have questions on spiritual resources.

A spiritual reflection from the National Spirituality Committee reflects on the transfiguration story.

A homily shared by National Spiritual Advisor, Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie talks about the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

ONRC FALL MEETING AND REMINDERS
In light of covid-19, we will not be hosting an in-person meeting in the fall. Instead, we will host a virtual Zoom meeting on Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 am which will last between 1-1/2 to 2 hours. The invitation link for this meeting is included below – everyone is welcome to join. Please note that you do need to register in advance by clicking on the link.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sep 26, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada).

Register in advance for this meeting: Register here

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The meeting will include a discussion on adapting our work serving persons in need due to the pandemic, and voting on the revised by-laws. Voting members have already received a separate invitation to attend a Zoom meeting either on August 15 or August 19 to discuss the revised by-laws and ask questions in advance of the September meeting.

BROWN BAG BELIEVERS
St. Columbkille Conference in Pembroke has a “Brown Bag Believers” program which they started in mid-March when the pandemic came to Canada. Before the pandemic, they provided meals inside the church to persons in need 3 days a week. They now provide a brown bag lunch to their guests each Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They were handing out 55 lunches each day when they first started, and are now handing out anywhere between 110 to 130 lunches each day while respecting the necessary precautions and guidelines to keep their members and those they serve safe.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Check out the social justice update and Jim Paddon's article “A Canadian View: Justice for All” published in FamVin.

STRATEGIC PLAN
A reminder to Councils to review your Strategic Plan annually to see how you are doing with your goals/objectives. Ontario Regional Council recently reviewed our Strategic Plan and you will see updates for 2019 highlighted in blue.

YOUTH
The London Youth Conference organized an “On the Street” program June 28 distributing hygiene products to the homeless. Read about how they overcame challenges in light of the pandemic.

NATIONAL COUNCIL
A Covid-19 update from our National President, Claude Bedard.

Please note that donors can make one-time or monthly donations to your Conference or Council through the National Council donation portal by selecting the Conference or Council to which the donation is to be directed. National Council then sends the funds to the designated Conference/Council through e-transfer.

INTERNATIONAL
Our President General, Renato Lima, shares several links from the International General Council:

New International website

Circular letter of 2021

Letter to young Vincentians commemorating SSVP’s International Youth Day on July 4.

Virtual meeting of the International Board of CGI

181 years of the Council General

New deadline for sending essays for the Clavé competition

FamVin newsletter

A reminder to please email linda@ssvp.on.ca with any changes in Conference and Council Presidents and Executive teams so we can keep our database updated to keep in touch.

A reminder to continue to follow the public health recommended precautions and guidelines when serving persons in need to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment and all the amazing work you continue to do serving our friends in need. Stay safe and healthy.

Feel free to contact linda@ssvp.on.ca at any time should you have questions.

Linda Dollard, President