Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Vincentian Family

On January 12^th, 2013 the Executive Committee of the Vincentian Family met at the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris.  The participants included:  Laurence de la Brosse of the International Association of Charity (AIC); Father G. Gregory Gay, CM and Father Eli Chaves, CM of the Congregation of the Mission (CM); Sister Evelyn Franc, DC and Sister Rosa María Miró, DC of the Daughters of Charity (DC) and Michael Thio, Brian O’Reilly and Juan Tirado of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SSVP).

Also present were: Father Joseph Agostino, CM, Coordinator of the International Commission of the Vincentian Family with regard to the Haitian Initiative; Sister Ana Aparecida Martins, DC and Father Juventino Elias Castillero Jaén, CM from the Office of the Vincentian Family … all of whom assisted as facilitators during the meeting.  Translators from the house also provided their services during the meeting.

During the meeting the following themes were discussed: The collaboration of the Vincentian Family and the New Evangelization (a theme for reflection and prayer during 2012); some data and challenges regarding the activity and the development of the Vincentian Family; challenges for the Year of Faith and the New Evangelization; criteria for coordination among those responsible for the different branches of the Vincentian Family; role of the advisors of the Vincentian Associations.  Reports were given on the following: the Zafen Project and the International Commission for Collaboration in the Vincentian Family; Commission for Systemic Change; the Commission on Islam; the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Ozanam.

As you might know the Executive Committee meets every year to evaluate the progress of the Vincentian Family, to look for orientation with regard to effective participation in joint projects and to reflect on paths that might be followed in order that our activity as a Family might be Good News for those who are poor.  At this meeting the gathering of the representatives of the distinct branches of the Vincentian Family (which occurs every two years) was also planned.  The next meeting will take place in January 2014 in Paris.

Juventino Castillero