Whenever I have taught the Epistles of Paul or instructed lectors on these texts, I emphasize that one must read these letters as if they were addressed to oneself and to a Christian community gathered to hear them.
Reflections
In Praise of Complaining! (Job 7:17; Mk 1: 29-31)
by Tom McKenna, CM | February 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Job has the well-deserved reputation as a complainer. Throwing up his hands, he whines to God, “How long is this misery going to lasts, this drudgery, these troubled nights.” (Job 7:1-7)
Connecting Lent, Valentine’s Day and Systemic Change
by John Freund, CM | February 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change, Vincentian Family | 1 Comment
At first glance, it may seem like quite a stretch to connect Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day and Systemic Change. But hear me out. Actually, it is not that hard.
Lenten Letter 2021 From Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, to the Vincentian Family
by Tomaž Mavrič, CM | February 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
After the dramatic events of last year as the suffering caused by wars, natural disasters, and famine was compounded by the pandemic of COVID-19, our faith calls us to live this new year 2021 in hope, even in situations that are, humanly speaking, hopeless.
Hands Outstretched to the Quarantined
by Ross Reyes Dizon | February 9, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Pope Francis – Magi School of Seekers Visiting Professor
by John Freund, CM | Jan 19, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
I thought I was finished with the feast of the Epiphany for this year. Then I read the text of Pope Francis’ homily on the feast.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XVI
by John Freund, CM | Jan 18, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
The Daughters of Charity should consider the poor as their lords and masters…
Wonderful News. Blessed Are Those…
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 22, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
“Wonderful News.” Blessed Are Those… Matthew 5 What if we were to take these Beatitude behaviors and attitudes as descriptions of the way things already are in the world, as if we were hearing Jesus giving a kind of analysis of society as it really is? We’d have...
Systemic change, learning organizations and the SVDP
by John Freund, CM | Jun 22, 2016 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
At the conclusion of an excellent article, Frederick Ozanam: Systems Thinking and Systemic Change, noted Ozanam researcher Ray Sickinger, points out that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, for which Ozanam was such an inspiration, is a learning organization which has...
Disciples to the bitter end
by Ross Reyes Dizon | Jun 21, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Jesus is the good Teacher. He invites us to be his disciples. Jesus is resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem with his disciples. There, he will suffer greatly and die on the cross. The specter of a violent death does not make him turn back. Much less does...
Open reflections in the Year of Vincentian Collaboration (8)
by Javier F. Chento | Jun 20, 2016 | Collaboration, Formation, Reflections
8. ...with feet firmly on the ground… from time to time... I am aware that the statements or hypotheses that I have advanced in the previous post may seem, perhaps rightly, too lofty, not viable in the short term. So, I will try to reduce my expectations to proposals...
Know and Show Mercy Joyfully
by Lynn L'Heureux | Jun 20, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Know and Show Mercy Joyfully – Be Still in Silence - Our Lady Knows – Vincentian Love is Justice Vincentian Day of Pray and Fast - Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Know and Show Mercy Joyfully – Be present to those we serve and be joyful. Think of yourself in their place and...
Following Vincent – “Wherever He Went Good Things Happened”
by John Freund, CM | Jun 18, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Let's get right to the point! Do good things happen wherever you and I go? Why is this question important? For at least two reasons! We call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ. And of him, it was said, "You know what has happened throughout the province of...
Look beyond appearances
by Javier F. Chento | Jun 17, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
See the following picture. Can you guess what is hidden in it? They say that only 10% of those who see this image are able to see what is hidden in it. So, if you can not see it, do not worry too much... Entitled "They can...
#famvin400 Who am I?
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Jun 16, 2016 | Formation, Reflections, Social Media
A Vincentian wants to know the answer to the question, "Who am I?" Too often, we only answer the question, "What have I done?" Part of preparing for the coming 400th anniversary year is coming to know ourselves in God's eyes. Are we willing to look deeply? Listen to...
Plunge into Service @SJUMission #IamVincent
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Jun 15, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Sister Patricia Evanick DC, Campus Minister at St. John's says, "Take the Plunge!" “We know that affliction makes for endurance, and endurance for tested virtue, and tested virtue for hope. And this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been...