Author
Parish renewals in Brazil involve the Vincentian Family. "Popular Missions"- in language that dates back to the early days of the Congregation of the Mission - refers to what we would call today parish missions. Eli Chaves Dos Santos, CM, Assistant General, describes...
In his book Mister Vincent, J Patrick Murphy quotes Malcolm Gladwell who writes about tipping points - the time when things come together to tilt the scale of life to something new. For Vincent, the tipping point primarily came from two events in 1617, starting in...
Sr. Teresa Kotturan, (second from right) U.N. representative of the Sisters of Charity Federation attended the Paris climate change meetings, held Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. It is with great joy that what she witnessed will now be signed in a ceremony at the United Nations....
Continuing the series "Vincent’s Life Lessons" based on J. Patrick Murphy’s Mr. Vincent we read: Vincent lived 80 years and died worried that he did not do enough. Life expectancy in Vincent's time was 35-37 years. Lesson: You may get more time and opportunity to do...
Dave Barringer, CEO of the Vincent dePaul Society USA, articulates something that many in the Vincentian Family can relate to: Doing good behind the scenes. And then seeing people finally catch on to an issue...even if they don't recognize all the spade work that went...
Uncomfortable with systemic change? It is no secret that many people are uncomfortable with systemic change. It seems to be so hard to get a handle on. On the other hand there are others who are comfortable with what they think is systemic change. Actually what they...
To be a difference maker don’t let your environment get you down. J. Patrick Murphy writes in one of his mini-reflections on the life of Mr. Vincent, "France was at war through all of Vincent's life except for the last few months. Beheading for religious dissidents...
For weeks now the opposing camps have been trying to fathom what Pope Francis was about to say in anticipation of his document on family life. No doubt the discussion will continue now that it has been released. [Vatican summary of the document] [US Bishops resource...
Will donating to a food bank alleviate hunger pangs? Absolutely. But it can never eradicate hunger itself. Charity gives, but justice changes. It's time to place the latter above the former. Glen Pearson, Director of the London Food Bank and former Member of...
Have you ever wondered about the path you are on? I have often told the story about the time I really made vows some 35 years after I made that commitment the first time. But it is only relatively recently that I made the connection with Vincent’s life. J Patrick...
