Vincentians Look up to God –  Vincentians Serve with Faith and Mercy – What We Do, Affects Our Future –  Vincentians are Called to Be Disciples

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast

Vincentians Look up to God

When we go on home visits, we bow down before God before we go into the home. Once there we look up. We look into the eyes of those in need.  We try not to fidget by looking up to them and looking up to God.  We go to serve those in need they are the face of God.  Service is more of a joy, if we remember this.  We are always looking for ways to make things better.  This is systemic change.  We need to try something new and not be afraid. In some areas it is difficult to meet all the needs but it costs nothing to hear their stories and give them support.  Sometimes a simple thing can change the entire situation.  When I first became a Vincentian, I served in the poorest areas of my city.  I remember my parish priest called me and asked me to visit a lady and her children and it was Thanksgiving.  I went with my husband and it was an extreme case of poverty which coupled with abuse and even worse, the theft of furniture and the kids things by the father who came to visit and left with the mother having a black eye.  Her power was being cut off and she had a barbecue lit in the house to make dinner.  My partner and I could see, we did not bring enough.  My daughter worked for the gas and utilities and thanks to her generous gift we had power and heat restored.  I went to visit this lady a few days later and I brought her a bouquet of flowers, some clothing for her and the children, a birthday cake and card.  She was shocked.  I knew it was her birthday because of the forms she filled out.  Needless to say, I spent this time looking up and God journeyed with me.  We got some men to come and fix the damage to her home and Tony helped her get a restraining order on her husband.  This turned out well.  We moved her to a safe home and she told me she looked up often and could see the road to a happy life.  So looking up and hearing the whole story and giving it to God saved the day and always will.

Vincentians  Serve with Faith and Mercy

We are called and we go out to serve and feed all the lost sheep.  We have to make a difference with our actions. This also means compassion.  We are serving to truly show them we care.  It is not a rush in and out or a will do attitude.  It is hard to treat them as equals. I remember my younger son coming with me one time for a delivery and visit.  He fought it all the way.  Tony had a talk with him and he packed a bag of things he liked to give to them.  One of the things he packed was microwave popcorn.  When we got to the place and he saw true poverty, he really wanted to take the microwave popcorn back.  The people we visited not only had no microwave oven; they had no chairs or kitchen table and no living room furniture.  We all sat down to visit and I think this was the biggest lesson in life my son had.  Today he is a successful business man who helps SSVP on a regular basis.  His biggest gift currently is to give $10,000.00 for Christmas hampers.  He gives this in four cities in Canada now.  One of the most interesting things is he totally includes his staff and suppliers in this Project.  They buy and wrap the gifts for those on the list. They started last year to have a special day for SSVP Christmas Hampers.  They held a “Crazy Christmas Sweater Day.” On this day the staff decorated tip jars and free beer was given to anyone who gave a tip.  They raised good deal of funds as the customers were very generous.  I am so proud of him and all the staff.  They truly care.  The try to get what is on the list of those in need and they deliver most of the hampers.  About a month ago when I went to Craft for dinner and a birthday celebration, the waitresses and managers came to me and said they were already collecting for the Christmas hampers.  The excitement was real.  Do not be afraid to approach companies.  As Vincentians we can sell our stories with great faith and mercy will follow.

What We Do, Affects Our Future

Everything we do in life tends to stay with us either in a negative way or a positive.  Serving those in need as a Vincentian always give positive vibes. Our actions or lack of action makes a difference, not only today but forever.  Everything we do as in managing our money, serving the poor or teaching others and sharing the goodness of serving.  One step many Vincentians do not think of is becoming a leader.  We need good people like you to lead in all areas of the Society.  Don’t be afraid to step forward to serve in a different way. I can sympathize with many of you who are afraid of leadership.  I was president at the Conference level and then under pressure was president of our Particular Council.  I survived.  Then the election for the Western Regional Council came up.  This council serves three provinces and the NWT.  It was truly a large area.  I said I would help but I did not feel qualified to lead.  Well many prayers went by and many asked me to let my name stand, but I did not succumb to their urgency.  I went to the lake to relax and take a break.  I came back to Calgary after my time off and was informed I was elected to be president of Western Regional.  Quite a coincidence as I was praying in the quiet of the lake and beauty of the mountains which always call me to pray.  Well by the end of my time at the lake God wasn’t whispering any more but telling me loud and clear to take the position of President on Western.  Well it turns out three provinces and NWT was also praying as there were nominations for each area.  I gave in and found to my advantage, it was exactly what I was supposed to do.  I accepted with great pleasure and loved all my days serving.  One thing, even as President I did not give up serving the poor.  Think and pray about taking a leadership role wherever you live.  Do not be afraid to say yes.  When we were called to serve, God call us for our riches and they are not the money kind but the riches of loving and serving the poor.  Answer the call and pray if it is your turn to be President. Say “Yes” to the call!

Vincentians are Called to Be Disciples

As Christians and Disciples and servants of the poor, we should live the Gospel and take away what we need to be a better servant.  Prayer and fasting is part of what we need.  Each Sunday at Mass we received the Body and Blood of Christ.  This is a big deal and a perfect time to pray for help in serving and decision making.  We have to believe and understand that changing our life with fasting and praying is Eternal Life. Jesus, Son of God gave His life for us and we repay Him by serving all in need.  When we visit the imprisoned, know he or she needs God.  When we help the addicted we treat them as if we are seeing Jesus.  They feel our love and compassion.  We bring this hope and love to their families as well.  No work of charity is foreign.  This made me think of a story when I was a brand new Vincentian.  I was called upon to visit a family of four a single dad, two boys and a girl.  I did not do my research ahead of time and started my visit.  I did not ask questions about mom.  They were a wonderful family starving for food.  The kids quickly grabbed food out of the bags I carried.  I spoke to the husband and guaranteed him we would help in any way we could.  They had a very large and friendly dog.  I kept thinking if they got rid of the dog, they would likely be able to have food for themselves.  As I was leaving after hugging the kids he opened the door and made this statement to me, “I saw you looking at the dog, I know it is expensive to keep him, but my children just lost their mother and I can’t bear for them to lose the dog their mother loved and they love, too.”  I had no words.  I hugged him and told him things would get better.  I immediately went to the pet shop and told the story to the owner and he gave me to largest bag of dog food and some treats.  He said to come any time for this family and they would help.  I think I prayed for a good hour after that visit holding on the memory of delivering the dog food and toys.  The kids were crying with joy.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit was there.

Blessings,

Lynn