[Jan. 25, 2016] As I write to you, I am happy to announce that famvin.org/en has a new editor! Working now along side Fr. John Freund, Elizabeth Astridge — a Vincentian Lay Missionary of the United States — will be helping to shape the future of .famvin. She will be joined by her husband, Matt in helping to implement the changes to .famvin that many of you have been requesting. Later this year, we’ll be announcing the continuing steps in our new venture, especially in the Spanish and French versions of famvin.org. These changes are part of a series that we will be sharing with you, implementing the new strategic plan for .famvin.

Merciful Vincentians: that’s what you said you wanted to hear about most. You wanted stories of people and groups who are living the Vincentian charism within established branches or programs, and about those who are living the charism outside of those boundaries.

Connecting Merciful Vincentians

This week, we begin recounting the stories and experiences of Merciful Vincentians who have been captured by the charism of Vincent, Louise, Elizabeth Ann, Tom Judge, Catherine Laboure, Frederic Ozanam, and so many others. In “Vincentians of Wherever,” you’ll here testimonies from people, and about some of the programs they’ve begun in the light of the charism. In “#IamVincent”, we’ll listen to the simple moments of conversion that individual Merciful Vincentians have experienced.

Sharing as Merciful Vincentians

In “Now on Social” we’ll explore together the evangelizing potential of social media, and find out where Merciful Vincentians are present online. On Monday mornings, we’ll continue to hear specifically about Vincentians collaborating in merciful ways. Regular authors like Tom McKenna, C.M., Patrick Griffin, C,M, Lynn L’Heureux and Ross Dizon will unpack our Scripture and Tradition, and they will be joined by Michael D. Whalen, C.M., with new perspectives on mercy.

Forming Merciful Vincentians

We’ll be offering more formational materials — the first of which is a selection of brief reflections on mercy that will go out on social media every Tuesday. Monica will be featuring the resources that exist on Vinformation, and John Freund, C.M., will be writing on systemic change, and on particular Vincentian themes.

And we continue to request that you send us material about your life as Vincentians to share with the Family. Liz and Matt are waiting to meet you!