“If you are Vincentian, your lives will never be the same, for you are truly transformed.”

This was the bold Pentecostal proclamation of Jean Nichols (SSVP Zone 2 Coordinator) as she spoke to the SSVP National Council and Conference Presidents of the Bahamas on the day before Pentecost.  Her testimony was the call of the Spirit to her Vincentian brothers and sisters as she invited them to more fully embrace their call to holiness.  Members shared their Vincentian journey speaking heart to heart to one another.  Like the Apostles who left “the upper room” after their their celebration of Pentecost on Sunday,  they traveled to a the SSVP Thrift Store and Soup Kitchen, an intergenerational outreach managed by the youth with the support of the elders.  Sharing a bowl of soup led to sharing Christ’s love and compassion for those who are heavily burdened.

The fire continued the following weekend when Jean embraced the SSVP National Council and Conference Presidents of Dominica. United around the breakfast table, the members shared their commitments, their hopes and their support for one another fulfilling the words of Ozanam who said, “The most important relationship in any conference is that of the members with each other.” The communion they felt continued as they celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi.  Sent to “love and serve the Lord”, they traveled to the House of Hope, where as Ozanam says, “Care is turned into action and compassion is turned into practical love.”  With gifs of food and supplies, they received the love and joy that emanated from those they embraced. In the spirit of Ozanam, their “help was mutual and dignified.”  Filled with fire of the Holy Spirit, Jean was able to share the work and commitment of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on a national radio broadcast. Jean expressed her tremendous gratitude to Juffure Collie-Russell (SSVP National Council President Bahamas) and Tina Cuffy (SSVP National Council President Dominica) for their faithful leadership and commitment.  Jean also thanks the CGI and the support of ITVP, Althea Graham, for making these two missions possible. May our Vincentian virtues continue to guide us in forming community and in building a more just and loving society.