Pens poised, cameras ready and computers primed – both our Director, Paul Southgate and Administrator, Pat Southern, along with your trusty Trustees on the ViP Board, are prepared to broadcast the word beyond our UK Vincentian Family network that 2017 is the 400th Anniversary Celebrations of our charism.

Our 2 million member Global Family, (UK over 12,500) dedicated to the eradication of poverty in all forms, has been working for social justice and the support of marginalised people for the past 400 years.

Guided by our Vincentian Family Branch Leaders of AIC, Congregation of the Mission Priests, Daughters of Charity and SVP, three key occasions have been identified as the national events of this celebration.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW IN DUE COURSE. PLEASE PUT THE FOLLOWING DATES IN YOUR DIARIES. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ALL 3 EVENTS.   

• February 25. Southwark Cathedral. 10.30 am. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Smith.
• June 24. Liverpool Cathedral. 3:00 pm. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon
• September 30 Carfin (near Glasgow).  2:00 pm. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley

Of course, there will be lots of local events I am sure, along with Family Branch gatherings, so Vincentians in Partnership encourages you to submit your news to us. We can all enjoy the benefits of highlighting our charism, your achievements and influencing future involvement in the Vincentian Family.

Links – The following links to the visual material which presents the Vincentian Family’s initiative to unite through actions that aim to welcome strangers on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian charism. NOTE WELL – the music and lyrics to the song.  We’re going to learn it – will you join us?  Let’s know if you are keen to learn it in your group/branch so we can consider the feasibility of us joining together at the national events to sing.

• http://famvin.org/en/famvin400/#en
• http://famvin.org/en/2016/05/15/plan-song-images-400th-anniversary-vincentian-charism/
• http://famvin.org/fr/2016/05/15/projet-chanson-images-400e-anniversaire-charisme-vincentien/
• http://famvin.org/es/2016/05/15/proyecto-cancion-e-imagenes-400-aniversario-del-carisma-vicenciano/

Dee Mansi.
ViP Chair