As over 160 members of the Vincentian Family gather in Indianapolis Formation Fridays offers some perspectives on Vincentian Family Collaboration and the recent history of the meetings which began in 2005

VINCENTIAN FAMILY GATHERINGS

2005-201

2005              Vincetians in Solidarity: Together We Can Make a Differenc – Belleville, IL (145 participants)

Keynote speakers: Dennis Holtschneider,CM and Loughlan Sofield,ST

                        Goals:

                        The  First National Gathering of Vincentian Family in the United States:

• Our Vincentian Family: Expanding the Circle of Solidarity
• St. Vincent de Paul calls us to be creative in infinity.  We need each other for support, ideas and creative outreach in serving those who are poor of today, while preparing for the needs of tomorrow.
• Come explore and create effective ways to meet our common challenges of Vincentian FORMATION, ADVOCACY AND YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT INVOLVEMENT.

2006              Vincetians in Solidarity: Together We Can Make a Differenc – Princeton, NJ (126 participants)

                                Keynote speakers: Robert Maloney, CM and Regina Bechtle, SC

                      Goals:

                      The Second National Gathering of Vincentian Family in the United States:

• Our Vincentian Family: Expanding the Circle of Solidarity
• Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac call us to serve those who are poor.  The many branches of the Vincentian Family need one another for support, creative ideas, and outreach in serving the new needs of those living in poverty..
• Come and explore with others in our family more effective ways to fulfill our mission.  The focus will be trailblazing efforts in the areas of Vincentian FORMATION, ADVOCACY AND YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT INVOLVEMENT.

2007              Vincentians in Solidarity: Together we can make a difference

                      San Francisco, CA (168 participants)

                                Keynote speakers: Manuel Ginete, CM and Patricia Nava (LOC)  Fr. Richard Benson, CM

                      Goals:

                      The Third National Gathering of Vincentian Family in the United States:

• Our Vincentian Family: Expanding the Circle of Solidarity
• The Vincentian Family worldwide is rooted in an interconnected and globalized world and shares a common mission.
• The Vincentian Family is called to be great force for the transformation in the lives of those who are poor, by evaluating our works and projects through the lens of Systemic Change. 
• Come explore ways to meet our common challenges of Vincentian FORMATION, ADVOCACY AND YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT INVOLVEMENT.

2008          Solidarity in Action – New Orleans, LA (215 participants)           

                              New Orleans Tour, Service Projects; Keynote: Gene Smith

                  Goals:

                  As the Vincentian Family, we will:

• Listen to the stories of hope and despair in New Orleans
• Experience collaboration in renewing New Orleans
• Serve, reflect, share and pray together
• Discern our future commitment to be “a voice with the voiceless” in bringing about systemic change

2009          Sowing Seeds of Hope – Detroit, MI (140 participants)

Keynote: Allison Boisvert; Eddy Friel

                  Goals:

As the Vincentian Family, we will:

• Listen and share stories about the plight of those living in poverty,  especially as it relates to training and employment in today’s economic climate
• Learn how to begin to bring about systemic change against overwhelming odds
• Engender hope

2010          North American Continental Meeting-Systemic Change – Belleville, IL (120 participants)

Keynote: Gregory Gay, CM; Bob Maloney,CM; Ellen Flynn, DC;   Patricia Nava, AIC; Joe Foley,CM; Gene Smith.

                  Goals:

• To introduce and/or deepen the understanding of the process of  systemic change as a way of promoting ongoing development of  persons living in poverty.
• To equip participants with the necessary tools (knowledge, convictions and skills) to promote systemic change within VinFam US-Canada.
• To develop regional strategies for continued training in systemic change.
• To provide opportunities for inter-Family exchange of experience and plans for future collaboration. 

2011          Vincentian Family Together: Building Bridges Out  of Poverty – Indianapolis, IN (146 participants)

                              Keynotes: Jodi Pfarr, Philip deVol, CJ Willie, SC

                  Goals:

We will continue our commitment to systemic change through:

• Deepening our understanding of generational poverty;
• Exploring strategies for transforming local communities; and
• Continuing to promote collaboration in the Vincentian Family.
• Deepening our understanding of generational poverty;
• Exploring strategies for transforming local communities; and
• Continuing to promote collaboration in the Vincentian Family.

 Pre-history of the Vincentian Family gatherings in NOrth America

            1986    The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Annual Meeting

                        Notre Dame, Indiana (1000 participants)

                        Title: TheVincentian Family: Responding to the Cry of the Poor

                                    Keynotes:

• Amin de Tarrazi, International President of SVDP
• Richard McCullen,CM, Superior GeneraL
• John Simmos, United States National President of the SVDP
• Bishop Thomas J. Murphy, SVDP National Episcopal Advisor

Facilitators:

Patricia Connolly,DC; John Grindel,CM

Introduction to Family Branches:

Robert Schwane,CM; Jean Juliano,DC; Romilda Berling,LOC;  Sheila Gilbert,SVDP.

Workshops:

Leo Keigher,CM; Frank Ryan,SVDP; Elizabeth Keaveney,DC;  William Hartenbach,CM; Mary Rose McGeady,DC; Barry Moriarity,CM.

            1986    Pope John Paul II in an address to the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission initiated the call to “Systemic Change”:

                                    “…search out more than ever with boldness, humility and skill the causes of poverty and encourage short and long term solutions—acceptable and effective concrete solutions.  By doing so, you will work for the credibility  of the Gospel and of the Church.” (Pope John Paul II)

1998    Robert Maloney, CM invited representatives of the Vincentian Family to the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission.

                        The international website for the Vincentian Family, famvin.org, was  created.

            1999    The first US Vincentian Family Leadership Meeting was held in Los Altos,  CA.  Attending: 5 CM and 5 DC Provincials, SVDP and  LOC Presidents   

           2000    Robert Maloney, CM officially calls the international Vincentian Family into  existence.

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http://vinformation.famvin.org/vincentian-spirituality/in-todays-world/vincentian-family-spirituality-collaboration-challenges/

http://famvin.org/en/2011/10/26/presentation-vincentian-family-and-systemic-change/

http://famvin.org/en/2011/10/22/building-bridges-out-of-poverty-day-1/