Since Pope Francis declared this the Year of St. Joseph, I have given this figure of our faith some attention. I have invited Joseph into my world and sought his instruction.

by John Freund, CM | September 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Everyone has an idea of what the Catholic Church needs to appeal to people today!
by Tomaž Mavrič, CM | September 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
As usual at this time, Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, President of the Executive Board of the Vincentian Family, has sent a reflection to the entire Vincentian Family on the occasion of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul on September 27.
by Tom McKenna, CM | September 20, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
“Listen and Respond.” If there ever were a pair of words to stir up action, these are the ones.
by John Freund, CM | September 20, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
This Mindwalk is a reflection on a saying attributed to a contemporary change agent – Shane Claiborne “Everybody wants a revolution, but nobody wants to do the dishes.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Since Pope Francis declared this the Year of St. Joseph, I have given this figure of our faith some attention. I have invited Joseph into my world and sought his instruction.
by John Freund, CM | Feb 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Since last October Jesus’ “story” has found a home in my heart to a degree I never expected. And it is all Pope Francis’ fault! I can no longer tame the shock of the story. What a challenge to change my way of thinking.
by Ross Dizon | Feb 2, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Jesus does not lose heart till he brings justice to the earth. As disciples we are to follow him and to persevere in...
by John Freund, CM | Oct 31, 2015 | Formation, Vincentian Family
In 2010 there was a famvin post that asked the question "Do we tell the stories of our Vincentian saints often enough?" Georgia wrote “We need heroes. We need to give kids heroes. Without heroes, they will give us gangs.” And worse. Some food for thought. We have a...
by John Freund, CM | Oct 31, 2015 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
In his weekly column to the members of the Vincent de Paul Society, CEO Dave Barringer has a habit of asking important questions. This week is no exception. The question he asks is something that all branches on the Vincentian Family can ask. Do we sometimes not...
by John Freund, CM | Oct 30, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
In The Encounter Space (Ephesians 2; Luke 6) Fr. Tom McKenna offers this reflection on the space where encounter takes place. Judging from some of Paul’s favorite imagery, he would have lined up closely behind one of Pope Francis’ favorite metaphors, “encounter,”...
by John Freund, CM | Oct 29, 2015 | Collaboration, Formation, Reflections
Sr. Maggie Reynolds, DC of Australia offers these reflections on Collaboration between two exceptional people Vincent and Louise They put into practice the words of Bonnie LeMelle Abadie quoted at the beginning of this essay: Collaboration is challenging,...
by Javier F. Chento | Oct 28, 2015 | Formation, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Beginnings of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul The "Conference of Charity," from which the Society of St. Vincent de Paul sprang, was founded in Paris in April, 1833 by a few young men and a Catholic newspaper editor. The principal founder was a man of twenty...
by Ross Dizon | Oct 27, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
All Saints, November 1, 2015 – Rev 7, 2-4. 9-14; 1 Jn 3, 1-3; Mt 5, 1-12a We shall be like him (1 Jn 3, 2) Jesus, righteous and merciful, is the image of the most holy God. Those who see him and become like him see God and become saints. Jesus goes about doing good...
by Lynn L'Heureux | Oct 26, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
Listen - Fasting & Forgiveness – Vincentian Life Journey - Vincentian Charisma Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast – Tuesday October 27, 2015 Dear Vincentian Family. It is always a wonderful blessing to share and pray for family. I hope you will pray for each...
by Vincentian Family Office | Oct 26, 2015 | Formation, Year of Vincentian Collaboration
In 1829, four Sisters of Charity from Emmitsburg, Maryland traveled 15 days by stage coach to Cincinnati, Ohio at the request of the Diocese’s first bishop, Edward Fenwick. The sisters opened St. Peter’s Girl’s Orphan Asylum and School. Cincinnati experienced serious...
by John Freund, CM | Oct 25, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
Continung his series on Considering Consecrated Life Father Pat Griffin reflects on Kindness The promulgation date for Nostra Aetate was October 28, 1965. Like the other texts of Vatican II, it looks to its 50th anniversary in this year. This document, of course,...