The Vincentian Family 10th Annual Meeting was held in St Vincent’s Retreat Center, Gopalpur on Sea, on 12th and 13th of March, 2016. There were 43 participants from 9 branches of the Vincentian Family. Bishop Emeritus Thomas Thiruthali, C.M., and Bishop Simon Kaipuram, C.M., also was present for the occasion.

This meeting gave the Vincentian Family in India an opportunity to promote a lot of potentialities for growth in their services and collaborative efforts, and in the understanding and appreciation of their common heritage.
Among other themes, the group reflected on “Collaboration in Vincentian Family: Biblical Perspectives” with Bishop Simon; on “Vincentian Family in India Collaboration” with Br. Joseph Pandiyan, the international territorial-in-charge for SSVP. It was also an opportunity to present different reports: the annual financial statement by Fr. Francis Puthenthaiyi, C.M., National Coordinator of VF India; Systemic Change Commission; Formation Commission; letter of the Superior General; and reports from Regions (Kerala, Karnataka, Eastern Region, Tamil Nadu, Bihar – Jharkhand, North East, and Western Region).

As they celebrated this 10th Annual Meeting, they took the time to evaluate the common work of the VF in India. There is a conscious effort to integrate each time new groups from the 304 branches found in India. Suggestions were made and potential common projects were envisioned to be adopted regionally: to help release 100 prisoners in this Jubilee year of Mercy; to adopt one village, or to help in the “adoption” of students who are really in need by retired/ pensioned people who are willing to take care of them.

VF India forthcoming activities included a training program on May 1-5, 2016 on the Year of Mercy, and the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the charism in 2017.