FAMVIN: The International Vincentian Family

Pope Benedict sent special greetings to the participants in  the International Youth Workday Study, sponsored by the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, that is taking place in
Salamanca.

“Tackling a marijuana addiction, taking on a traineeship, staying at school to finish the year 10 certificate, having the courage to speak in front of your peers about your personal situation … these were just some of the monumental outcomes from a rural youth leadership camp held in Forbes New South Wales late last month.” [...]

“Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women…” Thus begins Fr. Aidan Rooney’s meditation on the Vincentian Vocation. This video is the featured video for the week.

Aidan Rooney, CM writes, “Recent research informs us that web 2.0 (social networking, blogging, web- and pod-casting, video) skills are being learned by low-income students at a rate similar to those of wealthier students. Servants of the poor need to look into this. What the research says about education can be applied to formation, youth [...]

Internationally known for his innovative approaches to poverty, Vincentian priest Fr. Pedro Opeka, CM, has released a dramatic reminder of the continuing plight one billion children under the age of 18.

The Daughters of Charity East Central Province web site contains a listing of the the 2008-2009 Discernment Retreat Schedules for 2008-2009. (Please note that these dates are among the dates of interest for the Vincentian family found on the current events calendar of the Vincentian Encyclopedia.

The June Issue of Vin-Views, newsletter for the Vincentian Family and Worlod Youth Day, is now available in pdf format. Learn more about keynoter Richard Benson, CM.

From mowing lawns to meeting needs of the marginalized, young Vincentian and Catholic social entrepreneurs grow up. Read more about de Paul University students and the prominent place of Catholic univiersities in the movement to serve the world and make a profit.

The Vincentian website in Australia leads us to story about the impact of World Youth Day on the homeless. The St Vincent de Paul Society is concerned over a decision to move meals for the homeless away from their usual distribution venues during World Youth Day.

What branches of the family are represented “down under” (for those of us in the northern hemisphere)? Who and what are some of the favorite things of those who will be offering insights at keynote presentations. The Vincentian Family World Youth Day website features insights into the backgrounds of the key presenters Fr. [...]

Lisa Bright writes, “Registrations close 31st May 2008 … Visit www.vincentianswyd.org.au and click on Registration to secure your place!.Guest speakers: Fr Richard Benson CM, Sr Catherine Salani DC, Vincentian Marian Youth Philippines, St Vincent de Paul Society Australia ”

The national youth representative for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Australia is one of a dozen young people invited to have lunch with the Pope during his World Youth Day visit to Australia. Teresa Wilson, a 14 year volunteer with the Society, is also Vice-President of the Victoria Conference. Read the article.

Daughter of Charity Marta Wiecka was beatified yesterday, 24 May 2008, in Lviv, Ukraine. Visit the Sister Marta Wiecka Web site or see the brief article at the Vincentian Encyclopedia.

The April, 2008 edition of the International Update from the Vincentian Marian Youth reports that, although VMY is just beginning in the Ukraine, already there are ten groups. Also, an article by Sr. Pilar Hurtado de Saracho, DC discussion formation. Get the bulletin (.pdf).

At Circle V, the summer camp of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Los Angeles, they give the “social vaccine” of self esteem to children, to poor children in particular. For the 33rd year a daily newspaper in Southern California has invited its readers to “Send-A-Kid” to camp. Read the story and visit [...]