Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all Vincentians and your families.

The New Year starts off with the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. In reading about this feast day I came across an article that described Mary as “the ideal disciple, the model listener”. In the events before and after giving birth to Jesus, Mary receives messages from the Angel Gabriel, her cousin Elizabeth, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna in the temple, all proclaiming God’s presence and goodness. We are told by the gospel writer that Mary kept all these things in her heart. Like Mary, we are called to listen to the word of God and act on it.

As Vincentians, we strive to nurture the ability to truly listen: to listen to the word of God, to listen to our fellow Society members and to listen to those we visit and serve. Let us call upon Mary to help us hear what God is asking us to take on in 2024.

And let us pray that the new year will bring solace to those suffering and in conflict around the world and in our own communities.

Yours in Christ,
Ann