A Christmas Blessing
May God grant you….
the light of Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ, who was born as Man in a stable in Bethlehem, lived with us, prayed with us, told us that he was here to serve, not to be served, then reminded us that we are to serve His lamb and His sheep, His poor, with whom he mingled while here on earth.

To my fellow Sister and Brother Vincentians, the Christmas Blessing above surely describes the work that we do as we follow in the footsteps of Christ by ensuring that we feed His lamb and His sheep by our daily responses to their calls. Before sharing some news items with you, I would like to extend Christmas greetings to our Vincentian family here in Ontario and also wish you a Happy New Year 2025 which brings with it the Hope with which we serve for a year filled with Love, Respect, Justice and Joy, the mainstays of our Vincentian being. May I also take this opportunity to remind you that we should always keep trying to attain the virtues of our patron, Saint Vincent de Paul, which are Simplicity, Humility, Gentleness, Selflessness and Zeal as we deal with not only His poor but also with each and every fellow Vincentian as our Vision asks us “to seek to deepen our spirituality and the mutual love and support among our members”.

As we approach the year 2025, I am asking each and every Conference and Council that they include the reading of the Vision, Mission and Values at each and every meeting of the group. We are all part of an entity called the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and as part of belonging to the Society, we should know the “basic” foundation on which the Society is based and that is knowing and reciting the Vision, Mission and Value statements until it becomes a part of us.

As part of all organizations, there is a “Financial Management” category, which also lays out the way the Society is expected to operate. From Section 2.15.1 in our Rule Book, it states that “the main source of funding for Particular, Central, Regional, National and International Councils is from the conferences and councils who have a duty to support higher councils”. Conferences and Councils in Ontario have been asked to pass up a “due” (fee) in the amount of $250 to Regional since 2009. At our Ontario Regional Board of Directors meeting in early December, we have voted to increase that amount to $300. (The first increase in 15 years). The pass-up to National will stay at $300. While on the topic of monies, we are encouraging all Conferences and Councils to pass-up dedicated amounts as they can afford to the “North of 60” and the “Ozanam Education Fund” programs. If anyone knows of a “friend of Vincentians” who maybe interested in helping us, please have that person contact me.

Again, in touching on “monies”, it is very sad that in our present society we have “scammers” that always seem to be inventing new ways to try to get you to “share” your personal funds with them. This is nothing short of disgusting. I know that we are always ready and willing to assist someone in need especially a fellow Vincentian. I am asking that if and/or when you get one of these “phishing” calls, please do not partake. Let the person know that you are busy and that you will call them back. One of my neighbours fell for the “grandchild in trouble” scam and are now $8000 poorer. So, please beware of the “scammers”.

On the subject of the “Annual Reports”, the Western Region (mainly Alberta) were the “guinea pigs” for the operating year of 2023 with the use of the new reporting system or “Members Portal”. For this operating year of 2024, we, here in Ontario, are encouraged to start using the Members Portal. Our Vice-President, Omar Ellis, will be contacting all PC Presidents and dealing with their treasurers to get this off the ground. Stay tuned! If Alberta can do this with few problems, I am confident that we here in Ontario can also get it done. YES – we can! Please visit our website www.ssvp.on.ca for updates.

Our new Board of Directors came together for our first meeting in early September. On October 5th, during the start of our ONRC Fall Assembly, Bishop Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton, installed me as President, ONRC followed by the installation of all the members of our Board of Directors in a very touching ceremony that was filled with “HUMILITY”. As we started into our term, I have asked all our Directors to come together as a team – as the saying goes, the stronger the bonding of the team, the better the results of working together. Of course, we cannot stand “still” and stay on the same previous “status quo”, consequently, we will be making subtle changes, some have already been adopted, as we go forward to improve as a team and improve as a Council in representing you.

I have chosen this Christmas image of the “Three Kings of Orient” in the process of following the Star to pay homage to Our King as it tells a powerful story. Let us all join the Three Kings by following that Star and pay homage to Our King by attending a Christmas Mass in person or by the virtual means or by prayer. Let there be Joy as the Angels announce that “a King is born among us today”. He came among us to eradicate “Hate” and to bring us “Joy” and “Peace”. Let us rejoice and be glad!

Wishing you a Joyous and Blessed Christmas on behalf of our ONRC board of Directors. In Vincent and Ozanam.

Guido Kelly,
President, SSVP Ontario Regional Council.