President’s Message
Connecting Through Our Mission | |
September was a busy and productive month meeting Vincentians and hearing about the good work of the Society helping our neighbours in need.
Philippe Blain, National Council Executive Director, and I attended the U.S. Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah Sept. 9th to 12th where 750 Vincentians gathered from U.S. Councils/Conferences. This was a great opportunity to hear about the work of the Society in the U.S. We heard the need has increased there, as it has in Canada, resulting in more people needing help. U.S. President John Berry had an enlightening conversation with keynote speaker, Brian Goldstone, about his book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. CGI President, Juan Manuel Gomez, attended and delivered an inspirational talk.
| | CGI President, Juan Manuel Gomez & Paulo Cavaleri, International Executive Director | | |
U.S. SSVP President, John Berry &
Brian Goldstone
| | I was invited to attend, as an observer, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) meeting in Montreal. This was an opportunity to network with Bishops from across Canada, Cardinal Leo and individuals from several lay Catholic organizations in attendance. The CWL National Council President, Betty Colaneri, made an excellent presentation highlighting the work of the Catholic Women’s League including an annual visit to Parliament Hill. The CWL has adopted a number of resolutions in 2026 including the implementation of a National GBI (Guaranteed Basic Income) framework. | | Cardinal Leo & Linda Dollard | | CWL NC President, Betty Colaneri, presenting | | |
Elizabeth Lappin-Clark, Atlantic Regional Council President, and I visited Newfoundland and celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Vincent de Paul with 60 Vincentians from St. John’s and neighbouring communities. We had the pleasure of visiting 5 Saint Vincent de Paul Food Banks in St. John’s, Carbonear and Harbour Grace. These food banks have recently become accredited with Food Banks Canada being connected to Link2Feed resulting in extremely well-organized and well-run food banks catering to the needs of neighbours in need. SSVP Conferences in Newfoundland have developed some great partnerships including with Community Food Sharing and Calvary Baptist Church. Community Food Sharing distributes food to about 60 organizations who, in turn, distribute the food to people in need. Two Vincentians currently sit on the Board for Community Food Sharing.
Thank you to Con and Sandra Milmore and Judy Peddle, Newfoundland Particular Council President and Board members for the hospitality shown to Elizabeth and I during our visit. A special thank you also to all the members we met and those we did not meet for all your dedicated work helping people in need in Newfoundland!
| | Visit to St. Teresa SSVP Food Bank | | Visit to Community Food Sharing | | |
Feast Day of Saint Vincent de Paul
Celebration
| | Elizabeth Lappin-Clark, Atlantic Regional Council President presenting at SSVP Feast Day Celebration | | Petitions work! Support the PEI Pilot Project Guaranteed Basic Income | | |
The National Council of the SSVP has chosen to support efforts to ask the federal and provincial governments to implement a guaranteed basic income program for citizens living in poverty. A pilot project on Prince Edward Island would be a first step and needs our support.
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Organizational structure restores coherence -
A pillar of the Strategic Plan
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Pillar: Organizational structure
(Article 3 out of 5)
If values are what unite us, organizational structure is what allows those values to be lived out effectively.
Over the years conferences, PC, CC, and RC developed distinct models or processes to primarily ensure the continued functioning of SSVP. These adaptations reflect the cultural differences present in the country. They have helped maintain the contribution and impact of the SSVP in various regions, supporting communities and people with specific needs.
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| | Elderly and Homeless Support in Ukraine | | | | The Simcoe North Particular Council in Ontario is twinned with Blessed Marta Wiecka Conference in Ukraine. Furthermore, in 2025, funds raised through the National Council’s Black Bag were donated to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Ukraine to support its work with people in need. | | |
The Blessed Marta Wiecka Conference recently shared reports on two of its projects: Supporting Lonely Elderly People and the Poor Sick and Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness in Kyiv. These initiatives highlight the important work being carried out by Vincentians to support people facing difficult circumstances.
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No one remembers exactly how it started and the records are long gone, but it was probably like so much else in Harrow, a small farming community in southwest Ontario, and in our parish, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. People knew each other and told their friends and neighbours that they wanted to do something, something organized and ongoing, to help those “falling through the cracks” … the poor, the unemployed, the sick, the struggling.
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| | | | Empty Boxes, Full Hearts: Tahsis Food Distribution Brings More Than Food | | | | |
TAHSIS, B.C. — By the end of the afternoon on Friday, August 7, the boxes were empty.
Every bag and can of pet food had disappeared. Fresh produce, frozen meat and canned goods had been distributed to neighbours across this remote Vancouver Island community.
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Grant Regalbuto
A member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for more than 35 years, Grant Regalbuto is a Vincentian whose commitment and leadership have made a lasting contribution to many Conferences and Councils in the Québec City area.
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In the 1990s, he was one of the founding members of the Saint-Denys-du-Plateau Conference, where he served as president for several years. He also served as president of the Sainte-Foy Particular Council for eight years, which brings together 18 Conferences in the western part of the Quebec City area. Over the years, he also served as president of the Saint-Joseph Conference and the Saint-Malo-Saint-Joseph Conference, where he is now a member and President Emeritus.
Always committed to ensuring the Society’s future, Grant generously shares his experience and contributes to the training and formation of members. He also actively participates in the Society’s local, regional and national meetings and gatherings.
His community involvement is equally remarkable. A senior executive at the Université du Québec, where he worked in administrative and corporate management, he has also contributed to numerous organizations, including the Fondation communautaire du Grand Québec, Maison Dauphine and Centraide-Québec/Chaudière-Appalaches.
His dedication has been recognized on several occasions, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, an Honour Certificate from the Quebec Central Council in 2013, and the George-Trépanier Vincentian Award.
We invite you to submit your nominations to recognize a Vincentian in our community whose work and dedication deserve to be celebrated.
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In Awe and Thanksgiving: God’s Love Revealed
I am not particularly outdoors. In fact, my wife and our daughter have nagged me for being a couch potato frequently over the years. But something has changed over the past few months.
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What Does Aggregation Mean?
Aggregation is the formal recognition of a Conference by the International Council General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. As stated in The Rule, it is the visible unifying link connecting Conferences to the Society’s international community.
When can a Conference apply?
A Conference may apply after establishing its first executive and completing a satisfactory one-year trial period.
How does the process work?
The Conference submits the completed application forms through its higher Council. The application must include letters of support from both the higher-level Council President and the Regional Council President. The National President then forwards the application to the International President.
Why does aggregation matter?
Aggregation affirms a Conference’s connection to the wider Vincentian family, united in its mission of serving our neighbours in need with compassion and dignity.
Questions about the process? Start by contacting your higher Council for guidance.
Your questions deserve answers — send them to us!
| REMINDER - Our Upcoming Webinars | |
National President Election - Candidates Share Their Vision
The Election Committee, consisting of Elaine McMurray, Ray Burke, David O'Connor and Jean-Noël Cormier, has scheduled a “Meet the candidates" Webinar on October 17 at 1pm EST.
The three candidates will present their vision, followed by a Q&A session based on questions from the audience. Simultaneous French translation services will be provided.
All three candidates delivered addresses at this year’s ANF. Click on a candidate’s name below to read the notes from their address.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get to know your next leader.
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Coming soon: “Housing Initiatives Come in Many Shapes and Sizes”
Collaboration and innovation are essential to addressing today’s housing challenges effectively.
Vincentians are dedicated to fighting the consequences of poverty stemming from the housing crisis, currently the greatest source of hardship in Canada. Join our Housing Webinar to hear from Larry McKenzie, from London Ontario’s “St. Vincent’s on Huron” housing development, and from Pat Lenz “Housing Support in Action”. They will be joined by Garth Brown of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness’ Faith Group and member of the National Housing Committee.
Circle October 24, at 1:00 pm EST in your calendars, and register in advance for this meeting.
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the meeting.
| | Get Ready to Be a refuge of HOPE! on World Day of the Poor | | |
On November 15 this year, the SSVP will participate in the tenth national campaign for the World Day of the Poor (WDP).
This year again, the National Council is offering you material that you can use as is or adapt according to your needs. You can access it on our site:
WORLD DAY OF THE POOR MATERIAL
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We are always looking for Vincentian testimonials and conference/council activity stories. Send your stories to share with Vincentians across Canada to editor-editeur@ssvp.ca.
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