Reflections

Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History VI

by John Freund, CM | November 9, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

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.

The Pope Video • People Who Suffer From Depression

by .famvin | November 6, 2021 | Church, Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

“The Pope Video” series continues! Watch the latest 2-minute installment: People Who Suffer From Depression.

Do You Ignore “Nudges”?

by John Freund, CM | November 5, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

A big storm approaches. The weatherman urges everyone to get to higher ground. In his rectory, a priest says, “I won’t worry, God will save me.”

A Canadian View: A Time for Change

by Jim Paddon | November 4, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

As we see the changes nature provides to us, perhaps all Vincentians can take this time to examine how we might be open to some personal and organizational changes.

Prophetic Episcopal Message Washes Up On Beach (Part 1)

by John Freund, CM | Jul 15, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

The story echos one that appeared in the Washington Post earlier this year. A message in a bottle that traveled 3,200...

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...

How Do I Know What To Do Next Year?

by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Aug 25, 2018 | Formation, Reflections

Knowing what to do comes by a process called discernment. part of that process is listening to the stories of others. So listen (well, read....) My Experience by Stephanie Williams, Vincentian Service Corps - West Working at St. Vincent School has been a whirlwind of...

Imagine if Telling the Truth Made You Homeless

by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Aug 23, 2018 | Church, Formation, Reflections

Imagine for a moment that you were faced with the experience of being homeless and had nowhere else to turn. And you chose that.

A Canadian View: Change is NOT Always Good!

by Jim Paddon | Aug 23, 2018 | Formation, Reflections

I live in the province of Ontario, here in Canada. We recently held a provincial election for the office of premier (equivalent to a governor in the USA). For various reasons this election saw a shift to the conservative side and ended in the election of Doug Ford as...

Hard Times of Crisis and Decision of Faith

by Ross Dizon | Aug 22, 2018 | Formation, Reflections

Jesus has the words of eternal life. True disciples hear and do his words, even though they may find them hard and painful to swallow. Those from Judea, who grumble against a Galilean from Nazareth and later quarreled among themselves, spread unbelief. For, soon...

A Vincentian View: Writing Letters

by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 22, 2018 | Formation, Reflections

A Vincentian View: “Writing Letters” When I worked for the Congregation and the Company in Europe, I resolved at the very beginning of my tenure to write home once-a-week. I carried out that commitment faithfully. Little danger exists that my letters will be collected...

The Limits of Pope Francis’ Imagery

by John Freund, CM | Aug 22, 2018 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change

Pope Francis’ Imagery and the Vincentian “Both/And”

The Hidden Poor

by Elizabeth Astridge | Aug 21, 2018 | Formation, Reflections

Becoming homeless ‘not chosen' Homeslessness is not something people choose – sometimes they are simply unlucky and fall on hard times. St Vincent de Paul Society executive and volunteer Herbert Portanier regularly meets people experiencing housing insecurity. “All it...