Vincentian Family Executive Committee
VFEC Annual Meeting
The VFEC held its annual meeting on January 6 and 7 in Philadelphia, PA, USA. This was the first time the meeting was held outside of Europe because the Vincentian Family Office is located in Philadelphia. It was a good opportunity to see the Office and its development.
The current members of the VFEC are: Fr. Tomaž Mavrič and Fr. Joseph Agostino (Congregation of Mission), Sr. Kathleen Appler and Sr. Francois Petit (Daughters of Charity), Renato Lima de Oliveira and Edmund Keane (Society of SVP), Bro. Broer Huitema and Bro. Lawrence Obiko (Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy), Alicia Duhne and Maria Eugenia Magallanes (AIC), Sr. Veronika Haeusler and Sr. Blandine Klein (Sisters of Charity Strasbourg Federation), Sr. Julie Cutter and Sr. Eileen Haynes (Sisters of Charity USA Federation.)
The meeting started with a celebration of the Eucharist in the Chapel of the Provincial House of the Congregation of Mission at 11:00 am. Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, Superior General, presided. He invited us to celebrate as a Family the 400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism. After Mass, everyone was invited to go to the blessing of the Vincentian Family Offices. It was a moment of gratitude for having a place where the Vincentian Family can strengthen its connection in order to serve better those who are poor.
In the afternoon, Fr. Joe presented the tasks of the Vincentian Family Office followed by Sr. Donna Geernaert, Sister of Charity of Halifax, who spoke about “Living into a Structure.” As followers of Saint Vincent de Paul, we are invited to work with others. Collaboration is not a goal, but a way of living. Why are we doing alone what we can best do together?
At 5:00 pm there was a reception given by the community at St. Vincent’s Seminary followed by supper.
On Saturday, activities began at 8:00 am. Mass was celebrated in the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal which is a beautiful church that depicts the Apparition of Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Laboure. The Mass was presided by Fr. Joseph Agostino, Coordinator of the Vincentian Family Office. He talked about the Incarnation of Jesus and invited us to recognize him in the face of those who are suffering. At 9:30 the VFEC met at the Conference Room. The items for the morning included discussions about 4 special plans for the 400th Anniversary of the Charism.
The meeting finished at lunch time. The VFEC decided to hold the next meeting (2018) again in Philadelphia. They felt at home in their home. Everyone was grateful for the welcome, hospitality, and the organization of the meeting.
From the Vincentian Family Office, we thank all those who helped to make this meeting possible: the CM Eastern Province, the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Translators Team, and the staff of Saint Vincent Seminary.
Tags: 400th Anniversary, VFEC, Vincentian Family, Vincentian Family Office
