The story echos one that appeared in the Washington Post earlier this year. A message in a bottle that traveled 3,200...
Reflections
Find Jesus Christ on the Outskirts
by Ross Dizon | December 21, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XII
by John Freund, CM | December 21, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The poor and rich, the weak and the powerful are one and the same flesh of humanity…
What I Dreaded Became a Source of Life
by John Freund, CM | December 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
It was a moment I think most of us dreaded. In the later stages of formation some 60 years ago I remember hearing the words “Mr. Freund please.”
A Canadian View: Inter-Generational Trauma, Poverty & Racism, Part Three
by Jim Paddon | December 16, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
I would like to examine the relationship between trauma, poverty and (systemic) racism over my next three articles. Part Three discusses (systemic) racism.
Sacramentals (Mt 10:27-32)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 13, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
The years-ago world of sacramentals — as you might remember, these were the scapulars and medals and holy cards and statues you’d find in a Catholic home.
New Wineskins Today
by John Freund, CM | Jul 13, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
This past weekend I experienced a bit of what is sometimes called an “earworm.” Some use this as shorthand for not...
The Church must always surprise – Pope Francis
by John Freund, CM | Jun 7, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Vincentian Family
Is there any doubt that those in the upper room were surprised by the Spirit? Probably not. So maybe we should not be surprised when Pope Francis writes… “The Church must always surprise”.
Why are Vincentians at UN?
by Mary Ann Dantuono | Jun 6, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Vincentian Family at the U.N.
As part of the Vincentian Family at the UN, we were recently challenged to reflect on “Why are Vincentians a presence and actively involved at the United Nations?” Each member of the family is an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) by the Economic and...
The Reminding Spirit (John, 14)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 5, 2019 | Formation, Reflections
Recently I was speaking to a woman about a surprising experience she had while going through one of her favorite books-- 20 years after she read it the first time. Expecting it to be repetitious, she was struck by how new so much of it seemed, almost as if she were...
I Can’t Help Every Homeless Person!
by John Freund, CM | Jun 5, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Have you ever walked past a homeless person lying on his back on the sidewalk? Did it stir up any mixed feelings? Maria Shriver shares an incident in her life.
Picking out the Followers of Jesus Christ
by Ross Dizon | Jun 5, 2019 | Formation, Reflections
Obviously, people no longer see us Christians follow Jesus or go with him. He is not with us as he was with Peter and the other disciples, for he has gone up to heaven. But this does not mean that there is no picking us out as followers of Jesus.
Vincentianism Shock
by Renato Lima de Oliveira | Jun 3, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
If your Conference is stagnant, look to renew it with new initiatives and ideas. And pray for the sanctification of the Conference and its members.
How are we followers of Vincent at doing dishes?
by John Freund, CM | May 29, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
“Everybody wants a revolution, but nobody wants to do the dishes.”
Grow up and Get Ready for the Life to Come
by Ross Dizon | May 28, 2019 | Formation, Reflections
Jesus embodies the way to grow up and get ready for the life to come. Following him, we will get to the place that he readies for us and we will be where he is. Just before going up to heaven, Jesus does for his followers what he has already done for two of them. For...
Should our Assistance be Eternal and Only for Catholics?
by Renato Lima de Oliveira | May 27, 2019 | Formation, Reflections
Should we only provide assistance to people who declare themselves Catholic? How long should the duration of the Vincentian assistance be?