John Freund, CM
Author
New Year’s resolutions from Pope Francis
Have you made any New Year’s resolutions for 2016? If not, there's still time, and Pope Francis has some ideas for you. These are the ten things that he called upon Vatican employees to do: 1. “Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this...
![Vincentian Family at the U.N.: Forced Labor](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/12/forced-labor-united-nations-facebook.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Vincentian Family at the U.N.: Forced Labor
When Vincentians think of forced labor, the image may come to mind of our Co-Founder relieving a debilitated galley slave in the 1947 movie, “Monsieur Vincent.” Centuries later, the plight of forced laborers calls us not only to come to their aid, but also to end...
![Reflections on the AIC Charter](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/12/aic-400th-facebook.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Reflections on the AIC Charter
Reflections on the AIC Charter In preparation for the 400th anniversary of the International Association of Charities (AIC), a new AIC document, the AIC Charter, has been drafted. This document will replace the Basic Document, published in 1981 and updated in 2001....
![Vincentian question to end 2015](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2013/02/big-questions.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Vincentian question to end 2015
Mercy was a motivating factor behind each of the charitable works of St. Vincent and the early Congregation of the Mission, Daughters and Ladies of Charity. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy Frederic's E-Gazette raises an excellent End-of-Year question, which is...
![Resources for Feast of St. Elizabeth January 4](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/12/st-elizabeth-ann-seton-md-landscape-facebook.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Resources for Feast of St. Elizabeth January 4
January 4: Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton In 1809 Elizabeth Ann Seton established the first congregation of religious Sisters to be founded in the United States. They were dedicated to the care and education of the children of the poor. This was their connection...
![Rare photographs of Ozanam’s daughter](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/12/charles-ozanam-marie-la-porte-late-1850s.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Rare photographs of Ozanam’s daughter
Ralph Middlecamp has uncovered two rare photographs of Ozanam's daughter. The international website of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul writes that while in the famous National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, Ralph Middlecamp discovered 2 previously unknown photos...
![December 2015 JMV Bulletin](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/12/jmv-bulletin.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
December 2015 JMV Bulletin
From the December 2015 JMV Bulletin To be merciful as the Father is merciful. Those words summarize the invitation of Pope Francis during this Holy Year of Mercy, an invitation to be witnesses of mercy. Mercy arises from a feeling of compassion that is awakened in...
![Pope’s Christmas message](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/07/famvin-default-social-cell.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Pope’s Christmas message
Pope's Christmas message - Urbi et Orbi 25 December 2015 Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Christmas! Christ is born for us, let us rejoice in the day of our salvation! Let us open our hearts to receive the grace of this day, which is Christ himself. Jesus is the...
![Fr. McCullen – Biography and his personal epilogue](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/12/McCullen-card.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Fr. McCullen – Biography and his personal epilogue
Father McCullen was born in 1926 in Drogheda, Ireland. He entered the Congregation in 1945 after studying at St. Patrick’s College, Armagh, Northern Ireland. Prior to that he had studied at the National Seminary in Maynooth. In 1948, he earned (with honors) a...
![+ Fr. Richard McCullen, CM](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2014/05/McCUllen-2.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
+ Fr. Richard McCullen, CM
We just received word that former Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission Richard McCullen, CM died peacefully in his sleep. From the Curia of the Congregation... "Father McCullen passed away very peacefully at 6 a.m. this morning. The Visitor had called...