The FAMVIN Digital Network
The Vincentian Family is a movement made up of more than 160 institutions and some 4,000,000 people who follow Jesus Christ, serving the poor, as did St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and many other believers who, over the last four centuries, have enriched the Vincentian charism.
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Articles from the Famvin News Archive
The Meaning of Homelessness
by sjs | Dec 5, 2007 | Poverty: Analysis and Responses
In words that could have come from St. Vincent, Archbishop Agostino Marchetto said that "the situation of the homeless is not only of the one who does not have a house, but it is also the collapse of one's own world, one's security, personal relationships and dignity....
December 8 in the Vincentian Family
by John Freund, CM | Dec 5, 2007 | Vincentian Family
In addition to the feast of the Immaculate Conception December 8 marks the canonical establishment of the Confraternity of Charity- 1617; one of the four major feasts chosen by the Society of St. Vincent DePaul in 1834 and the day on which many groups of the Sisters...
Israel, Japan, Britain – Highest in traffiking women
by John Freund, CM | Dec 4, 2007 | Justice and Peace
In light of St. VIncent's concern for slaves it is interesting that according to a report (Zenit.org) Dec. 3, 2007Â this new form of slavery is on the rise. It reported that the BBC on Nov. 6 noted that the United Nations in 2006 had named Israel one of the main...
Pedro Opeka, CM named member of the French Legion of Honor
by John Freund, CM | Dec 3, 2007 | Vincentian Family
Pedro Opeka, CM has been named a knight of the Legion of Honor. The award, decreed on October 12 by the President of France, recognizes his 20 years of public service of the poor in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This award recognizes the ongoing fight led here against...
Superior General’s Advent 2007 letter
by John Freund, CM | Dec 2, 2007 | Congregation of the Mission, Vincentian Family
As in previous years I would like to begin the Advent Reflection with a story from my past history as a missionary. Reflection on this story has helped me to grasp more fully the understanding of Advent as the great mystery which leads us to the celebration of the...
“Windchangers” or lobbyists
by John Freund, CM | Dec 2, 2007 | Featured, Justice and Peace
We in the Vincentian family are still struggling with moving beyond direct service to advocating or lobbying on behalf of the poor. But evangelical activist Jim Wallis in a recent interview on the program Speaking of Faith may be calling us beyond lobbying to being...
“Handouts” over “a hand up”?
by John Freund, CM | Dec 2, 2007 | Poverty: Analysis and Responses, Systemic change
The catholic legal theory blog "Mirror of Justice" has a thought provoking reflection on a New York Times story reporting how Malawi is solving it own food problems by ignoring US aid. It could serve as a case study as we reflect on how best to effect systemic...
Deaf children depict how Brothers of Charity serve
by John Freund, CM | Dec 1, 2007 | Vincentian Family
Thirteen deaf students students from a Brothers of Charity-run school for the deaf in Indonesia presented a 45-minute drama about the congregation's mission and service. The drama was part of a Mass marking the 200th anniversary of the congregation's founding in...
New video on Vincentian holy ones
by John Freund, CM | Dec 1, 2007 | Vincentian Family
Ferdinand Labitag has released a second video to YouTube. This 8 minute video concerns the holy ones of the Vincentian family. His earlier video focused on Vincentian vows. We have opened up a YouTube "group" called famvin and a YouTube "channel"...
Food Bank Shortages
by sjs | Dec 1, 2007 | Poverty: Analysis and Responses, Vincentian Family
Food banks around the U.S. are experiencing critical shortages of food. As are other organizations, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Cincinnati is being forced to reduce the amount of food it is able to give to needy families. “Donations are down,...