Jesus, our Shepherd, leads us along the right path. He spreads clouds as cover and fire to light up the night. He...
Formation
From “Thanks” to “Giving” – An Ancient Tradition
by John Freund, CM | November 20, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The tradition of “thanksgiving” is not new. It has deep roots in the Old Testament and especially the New Testament. The Last Supper was a celebration of thanks but it was also a call to giving.
A Canadian View: A Ray of Hope for All
by Jim Paddon | November 19, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
November 15th is the World Day of the Poor. Let us all reflect on how we use this day as a new beginning, with the ray of hope we have been waiting for and forget our differences and come together as one family.
Which Costs More – Housing or Health Care?
by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | November 19, 2020 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 1 Comment
After one year, BJC Healthcare estimated the cost of care for the enrolled homeless clients was reduced to $230,000, representing an estimated annual savings of nearly $400,000 or 71%. No doubt the financial people were quite pleased.
Lessons Learned During the Pandemic, 21: To Live with Calmness and to Engage in Respectful and Active Listening
by María Ángeles Ramírez | November 18, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
This health crisis has tested me emotionally and I have discovered that placing my trust in God is a WONDERFUL OPTION … one that is worthwhile.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History VI
by John Freund, CM | Nov 9, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Vincent would try to lift the poor out of their corporal and spiritual poverty and to make the rich put themselves at the service of the poor.
International Formation Center in Paris (CIF): Activities for the Year 2022
by Vincentian Family Office | Nov 8, 2021 | Formation, News, Vincentian Family
As every year, I send you the activities of the CIF for the next year 2022. Within the CIF we work to spread Vincentian ethics and spirituality.
Personal judgment
by John Freund, CM | Jan 17, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
In his weekly series "Considering Consecrated Life" Father Pat Griffin reflects on Personal Judgment. At the daily Eucharist during this past week, the First Book of Samuel provided the first reading. We heard the interesting story of the origin and commissioning of...
Vincentians of Wherever: Relationships—Can’t shake ‘em!
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Jan 17, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Josh Wise, who talks to us about significant relationships, is a Louisiana native that joined the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers (CVV) in the summer of 2008. He worked with Archdiocesan Housing and the Mary Lucy computer Lab & Neighborhood Network Center. He has...
Reading the Signs: Dark or Light?
by John Freund, CM | Jan 17, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
In this reflection, written for a celebration of the feast of the Epiphany Fr. Tom McKenna offers thoughts on how do I understand this particular story -- how am I reading the signs -- that is so outside my usual way of looking at the world? You could look on this...
The stress of poverty and our role as advocates
by John Freund, CM | Jan 15, 2016 | Formation, Poverty: Analysis and Responses, Reflections, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
In "Behavioral Science and the Stress of Poverty: Dan Torrington, SVDP Western Region Voice of the Poor Leader writes "Once we as Vincentians begin to really appreciate the mental and emotional stress of scarcity, as well as the physical toll poverty exacts, we know...
What It’s Like To Be Homeless and Lose Everything
by John Freund, CM | Jan 15, 2016 | Formation, Poverty: Analysis and Responses
A great vinFormation resource teaches what it’s like to be homeless and lose everything. Hobson's choice* is the literary way of saying one has no choice at all. The only option you have is the one that is being offered to you. We have all found ourselves in such...
2016 – Vincentian opportunities to influence
by John Freund, CM | Jan 15, 2016 | Formation, Reflections, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
"If we consider [four events in January] not only as separate events but linked together, we see opportunities to influence, if not outright create, a better future for people in poverty and for the Society itself." In his weekly column for the Society of St. Vincent...
Mercy: The best of who we are
by John Freund, CM | Jan 14, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Mercy: The best of who we are - by Tracy Kemme What an opportunity Pope Francis has given us in the Year of Mercy! It feels like something beautiful is dawning. It is a chance to rediscover and put forth the best of who we are. A few weeks ago, I went to an Advent...
The Company of Charity Embraces the Community of Earth
by John Freund, CM | Jan 13, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
In "The Company of Charity Embraces the Community of Earth" Fr. Terrence J. Moran reflects on how the Vincentian family can respond with efficacious compassion to the news of the perilous decline of our home planet and its life systems. How might the traditional five...
Take courage
by John Freund, CM | Jan 12, 2016 | Formation, Reflections, Sisters of Charity
In Take courage Sr. Janet Gildea, a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, shares her ongoing journey through chemotherapy. I received my fifth chemo yesterday, sleeping through most of the six hour infusion while listening to “All Things Bright and Beautiful” as...