From 29 -30 May 2018 this newly formed task force met at the international offices of the Vincentian Family in Philadelphia.

The Task Force members came from Universities and those Vincentian ministries which deal primarily with young adults. They are:

Carlos Alberto Pancca (JMV), Connor Johnson and Katharine Montemurri (MISEVI), Elena Nine and Gregory Fiorentino (University of St. Mary’s, Leavenworth, Kansas-USA), Emily La Hood-Olsen and Mike Van Dorpe (DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois-USA), Jimmy Walters and Victoria O’Keefe (St. John’s University, New York-USA), Katherine (Katie) Blevins (College of St. Elizabeth’s, Convent Station, New Jersey-USA), Danielle Ferrari (Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-USA, and Tamara Oakman (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-USA). Several members were unable to attend: Mildred Busano and Eddie Glenn Aguirre (Adamson, Manilla), Rolando Morales (JMV, Panama), William Alves (SSVP, Brazil), and Jessica Velasquez-Julca (St. Elizabeth’s, Convent Station).

More photos are below.

The Task Force was mandated by the Vincentian Family Executive Committee to to draft a definition of the Charism that is easily articulated, understood, embraced, and acted upon by the young and thus by all of us. Furthermore, they were to propose the methodology for disseminating their developments of this mandate. To begin their work, they defined their target population as young people between the ages of 18-24.

As they discussed the charism, they identified four key components as the starting point for their brand, around which they began to create a shared language: direct service/relationship with those living in poverty; inspired by and appreciative of the love of God; universally inclusive; and charity and justice. They then developed simple concepts which would speak to today’s youth.

To move this process from word to action, two immediate tasks were decided upon. They began to create a 2 to 3 minute video about young Vincentians, which will be filmed in English, Spanish, and Swahili and presented at the VF Film Festival and World Youth Day. Also, they created an Instagram account @wearevincentian.

After disseminating the details of their work to the task force members who could not attend, a second meeting is planned for the early Spring to continue to develop the strategies they proposed for this initiative.

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