Greetings Friends, 

Father Ken Hamilton has asked that those who attend tomorrow's Vincentian Day of Reflection to please bring a symbol from home that reminds you of how BLESSED you are. Instead of a symbol, you can write a short “blessed history.”

Please click "Directory" below for a comprehensive list of Resources for our neighbors in need and those we serve. This is a PDF with names and brief descriptions of resources. Click on the name of each resource in the Directory for a link to the websites of these service providers.



SERVING IN HOPE

Vincentians "Serve in Hope" because we are called to bring the love of God, the compassion of Jesus, to those who are poor and suffering.

St. Vincent said, "God demands first the heart, then the work." It is only with our heart that we can bring compassion, respect and devotion to the destitute and marginalized.

It is only with a heart on fire with God's love that service can become mission. And it is only by "Serving in Hope" that our mission can root us in the faith that in the poor "Vincentians will see the face of Christ."



The January 7 edition of Praxis featured Serving In Hope session 6.2, "Our Friendship," the second session of Module VI, "Our Vincentian Conference."

This week we continue with Module VI of Serving in Hope, "Our Vincentian Conference," with Session 6.3, "Our Service."



SERVICE TO THE POOR

Rule, Part I:1.2 states:

"The vocation of the Society's members, who are called Vincentians, is to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment through person-to-per-son contact. Vincentians serve in hope."

The Essential Element of Service roots us in our Vincentian Vocation by calling us to person-to-person service, which encompasses every form of aid that alleviates suffering and promotes the dignity and self-respect of our fellow men and women. The Society strives not only to alleviate need but also to discover and redress the situations which cause it.

Rule, Part I: 1.3 tells us that:

"No work of charity is foreign to the Society. It includes any form of help that alleviates suffering or deprivation and promotes human dignity and personal integrity in all their dimensions."

ACTION ORIENTATION ...

Vincentians regard the plight of distressed people as a cause for sensitive and informed boldness, rather than timidity. An alert Conference will come to realize they have the right, and sometimes the duty, to provide leadership in attacking the social problems of our society.

Perhaps this will mean direct responsibility for coping with unmet needs. If the task is beyond its own capacity, the Conference may serve as catalyst within the parish or work within their Council to develop needed special works.

Rule, Part I: 1.4 mandates:

"The Society serves those in need regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender, or political opinions."

...TEMPERED WITH REALISM

Conferences must be realistic in what can be accomplished. If they attempt too much, they will exhaust themselves in contacts of a superficial sort and will be able to share little of themselves with those who often desperately need human warmth and caring. If Conferences attempt too little, they will become bored with themselves, and become institutional obstacles in the way of what otherwise might become dedicated and generous parish concern for the poor.

VINCENTIAN SERVICE

Rule, Part I: 1.8 states:

"Vincentians serve the poor cheerfully, listening to them and respecting their wishes, helping them to feel and recover their own dignity, for we are all created in God's image. In the poor, they see the suffering Christ."

PERSON-TO-PERSON

Many possibilities for person-to-person service exists. Whatever program of charitable action is eventually adopted, Vincentian involvement should possess these characteristics:

·      a witnessing of Christ's love for all men and women; 

·      a personal sharing of time and interest on the part of the Vincentian with those in material and spiritual need;

·       promoting the dignity of the human person; and

·       the furthering of individual self-help efforts.

Some of the most common types of person-to-person services provided today would be the following:

·       Food or limited financial assistance to meet the needs of a short-term crisis.

·       Direct aid, combined with a referral to the appropriate public agency (ies), in situations where eligibility for government assistance is possible.

·       Referral to an appropriate counseling agency when recurrent financial problems on the part of the individual or family point to a need for professional guidance.

·       Regular sharing of manpower and material resources between a more affluent parish Conference with one less well-endowed financially.

·       Development of inexpensive recreational programs through arranging for the use, at a nominal fee, of local facilities by marginal income families and special groups like senior citizens.

·       Securing professional and household services at nominal cost for low-income families. This type of neighborhood service could encompass a considerable range of specialists: nurses, carpenters, doctors, lawyers, electricians, plumbers, appliance repairmen, etc.

·       Sharing of expertise in such areas as budgeting, nutrition, house keeping, applying for employment, child care, home maintenance, legal and medical counsel, and the like.

·       Organizing, within the parish or Council, programs or classes for groups interested in acquiring home management, budgeting or family living skills.

CHARITY AND JUSTICE

The profound words of Frederic Ozanam speak to our hearts:

"For if the question which disturbs the world around us today is not a political question, but a social question; if it is the struggle between those who have nothing with those who have too much; if it is the violent shock of opulence and of poverty which shakes the earth under it, then our duty as Christians is to throw ourselves between these irreconcilable enemies, and to make the ones divest themselves so that the other may receive as a benefit; so that equality may operate as much as it is possible among men; and to make charity accomplish what justice alone cannot do." (Frederic Ozanam November 5, 1836)

THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

Rule, Part I: 7.1 states:

"The Society is concerned not only with alleviating need but also with identifying the unjust structures that cause it. It is, therefore, committed to identifying the root causes of poverty and to contributing to their elimination. In all its charitable actions there should be a search for justice; in its struggle for justice, the Society must keep in mind the demands of charity." 

The Voice of the Poor is a relatively recent yet rapidly growing program of the Society. Its purpose is to increase public awareness of the causes of poverty, obstacles that hamper the poor in their struggle to improve their lot, and injustices which call out for redress. The role of the Conference in this area is to communicate these conditions in such a way as to gain the attention, sympathy and action of legislators and others who have the power to fix these conditions.

Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, taught us that: "Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveler who has been attacked. It is Justice's role to prevent the attacks." Vincentians through direct service to the poor have long been in a position to identify the causes that often result in poverty.

Through their experiences in Home Visits, unique to the Society, Vincentians are qualified to advocate for justice in addition to offering charity to those in need.

Rule, Part I: 7.5 tells us that:

"The Society helps the poor and disadvantaged speak for them-selves. When they cannot, the Society must speak on behalf of those who are ignored."

Therefore, Voice of the Poor are advocacy committees operating at all levels of the Society: the Conference, District, Arch/diocesan, and National Council.

WHY MUST WE GET INVOLVED?

Rule, Part I: 1.5 states:

"Vincentians strive to seek out and find those in need and the forgotten, the victims of exclusion or adversity."

While charity provides temporary alleviation of pain and suffering, it is not enough. We strive for the identification and elimination of the cause of the need in the first place. We call for both charity and jus-tice. We speak for the preferential protection of the Poor and vulnerable particularly for those who are afraid to speak or cannot speak for themselves.

Calls to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeking emergency assistance come in continuously. In home visits Vincentians hear the cries for help first hand - food, assistance with rent, utilities, health care, car repairs, bus fare, .....the cries continue unabated. Resources to meet growing needs are limited. We cannot be satisfied with the little given when the solution is only temporary. Members are called to be a voice for the voiceless and for advocacy and justice.

Rule, Part I:7.6 states:

"Where injustice, inequality, poverty or exclusion are due to unjust economic, political or social structures or to inadequate or unjust legislation, the Society should speak out clearly against the situation, always with charity, with the aim of contributing to and demanding improvements."

SYSTEMIC CHANGE

Our Mission states: "Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ."

Rule, Part I: 1.10 challenges:

"Vincentians endeavor to help the poor to help themselves whenever possible, and to be aware that they can forge and change their own destinies and that of their local community."

Therefore, Vincentians make a commitment to walk with the poor not only for the short term-but especially for the long haul...to empower them to become self-sufficient.

In works among those who are poor, Systemic Change aims beyond providing food, clothing and shelter to alleviate the immediate needs of the poor by:

·      Focusing on assisting the poor to develop strategies by which they can emerge from poverty.

·       Aiming at transforming a complete series of interacting elements, rather than just an individual element.

·       Changing attitudes that have caused the problems which a group hopes to solve...and begin to see the world anew.

Systemic Change helps us to grapple with the question: "What can Vincentians do to create opportunities for the poor, through collaboration with people who are poor, to break the cycle of poverty." We must come to the understanding that poverty is not the inevitable result of circumstances, but it is the product of unjust situations that can be changed. (Reference: Seeds of Hope available from the National Council)

Rule, Part I: 1.6 tell us:

"Faithful to the spirit of its founders, the Society constantly strives for renewal, adapting to changing world conditions. It seeks to be ever aware of the changes that occur in human society and the new types of poverty that may be identified or anticipated. It gives priority to the poorest of the poor and to those who are most rejected by society.”

SERVICE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The Incarcerated:

·       Friendly visitors to men and women who are in prison.

·       Assistance to the families of inmates.

·       Support those on probation or parole to get back on their feet and find meaningful employment.

The Institutionalized and Home-Bound:

·       Visits to those who are patients in hospitals, live in nursing homes and who lack family and friends

·       Friendship calls on home-bound elderly persons

·       Home Care Services enabling people to remain living at home can consist of one or a combination of the following:

o   Volunteers to assist the home-bound in handling homemaker responsibilities;

o    Preparation and delivery of hot meals by volunteers;

o    Providing occasional leisure time opportunities for family members who normally take care of an aging relative;

o    Telecare services by daily telephoning the elderly to check on them, their needs and for purposes of social exchange;
Home maintenance services by providing chore services, minor home repairs, etc.

o   Transportation Services to stores, doctors' offices and church;

o    Recreational Services by activity and companionship in the home or at Centers for the Aged:

o    Special Personal Services of volunteer barbers, beauticians etc.

The Handicapped:

·       Offer help and companionship to handicapped persons (the blind, deaf, physically disabled, mentally challenged) and services similar to those provided needy older persons.

Those in Crisis:

·        Temporary Homemaker Service.

·        Transportation in an emergency.

·        Baby sitting in an urgent situation.

The Lonely and Forgotten

·       Alleviating the suffering that accompanies the breakdown of families (in most years, over two million divorces will be granted in this country).

·       Ministering to those who are in the dying process without the comfort of others who care.

·       Comforting those bereaved and left alone in their grief.

·       Visiting those effectively abandoned in State and County mental hospitals.

·       Helping the victims of serious crime.

INFORMATION AND REFERRALS

·       Providing information about services related to poverty, medical and emotional needs, family and personal problems, youth counseling and youth activity programs, senior citizens programs and facilities.

·       Referrals to self-help programs which can limit the practice of recurrent hand-outs.
Such "entitlements"
may be destructive of human dignity and degenerate into a subtle
form of government enslavement. Self-help systems are such operations as food co-ops, housing rehabilitation, credit unions, repair co-ops, adult education, home services for the aged and shut-in, legal services, and the like.

·       Advocacy on behalf of those who are encountering delays and obstacles in the providing of services to which they have apparent right.

·       Conducting informational programs regarding community welfare and counseling programs, i.e. Social Security, counseling services, budgeting, household management, etc.

A PLANNED APPROACH

Rule Part I: 7.4 tells us that:

"The distinctive approach of Vincentians to issues of social justice is to see them from the perspective of those we visit who suffer from injustice."

The Conference must take a sensible step toward helping the people of the parish, the neighborhood, and the community in both a realistic and a Christian way. To avoid the excesses of either too much or too little, each parish Conference must approach its task with head as well as with heart. A vital Conference employs the following techniques:

·       listening to the poor in order to understand their actual needs;

·       fact-finding about community socio-economic needs;

·       becoming familiar with existing social service programs;

·       analysis of the Conference in terms of its competencies, available person power, and financial capacity;

·       determination of appropriate priorities with respect to meeting people's needs;

·       the organization of work so that the Conference can effectively carry out an agreed upon mission;

·       continuing evaluation of Conference activities.

·       participation in the Council "Voice of the Poor" Committee.

A member of the Society puts their faith into action - this is the meaning of the word "Praxis." The Vincentian vocation is the intimate desire to participate personally and directly in helping the needy by person-to-person contact and by the gift of one's heart and friendship, doing so within a Conference, a community of faith, of lay persons each inspired by the same vocation.

The Vincentian vocation may be expressed in many ways and with different shades of meaning. Practical translation of faith into action, meditating upon it and adapting it to our changing world is the very life of every Vincentian, the very life of the Society.

Serving in Hope Books

The Serving in Hope books contain readings, discussion topics, prayers, divided into short sessions. These magazine-sized books are designed to be used in Conference Meetings or retreats, but are excellent for individual reading, as well. Each session takes about 20 minutes as a group reflection, or the entire Module may be used for a longer retreat. You will need one book for each participant. Module VI covers Our Vincentian Conference. Sessions include:

• Our Spirituality
• Our Friendship
• Our Service
• Our Home Visits
• Our Parish
• Our Church

The facilitator is challenged to "hold the space" as the members of the Conference become more and more comfortable with these various forms of reflection and sharing. Periods of silence are actually expected. There will also likely be times of spirited dialogue as we embrace the diversity of relationships with the neighbor that challenge our status quo approaches.
The facilitator for the meeting will be focused on creating an environment for learning and sharing among Conference members as a priority, taking as many meetings as necessary to proceed through the sessions.

This variation is encouraged and based on the inclusion of a broad range of home visit strategies emerging in our focus on systemic change, and our need to have sufficient time for sharing and reflection. This Module can be used during Conference meetings or for a Retreat Day. As the session titles reflect, this Module is about the cultivation. of a Vincentian Heart in the context of our encounter with the neighbor, each other, and the communities we serve.

To view or download the videos that accompany Module VI, follow the link below and use the password: “hope”

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9248342



Doing the Good

Events and Resources for Immigrants and Refugees



Pilgrims of Hope:

A Catholic Response to the Needs of Our Times

In union with the Universal Church to the call to be Pilgrims of Hope, the Offices of

Respect Life-Social Justice and Latino Ministries of the Diocese of Oakland offer parish

visits to support immigrant communities and people in solidarity to receive the following

intentions:

Prayer: with the entire community in collaboration with the parish priest, emphasizing

the pilgrim Church and baptismal identity.

Basic information: on precautionary measures and general guidelines for the

community.

Training: Support and creation of parish leaders who serve as a bridge to resources

and are spokespersons for information.

Cost: Donations are accepted to continue supporting our ministries.

We are here to serve you. Contact us to schedule a visit to your parish.

________________________________________________________________

“Ultimately, the migrant's search for a future expresses a need for

salvation shared by all, regardless of race or condition”

-Pope Francis

________________________________________________________________

Your servants,

Hector Medina -Latino Ministries

hmedina@oakdiocese.org

Kiona Medina -Respect Life-Social Justice Ministry

kmedina@oakdiocese.org

Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. Immigrant Legal Resource Center "Red Cards" help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.

Click the button below for PDF's of the ILRC "Red Cards" in both English and Spanish. Please note, the text is black on white background.

(Thank you Ryan Uyehara!)

Immigrants' Rights

Centro Legal’s immigration practice is focused on serving the needs of our most vulnerable community members, including families living in poverty, long residing undocumented immigrants and families, youth, victims of violent crimes, asylum seekers, and detained individuals in removal proceedings.

Tenants' Rights

Stopping displacement, maintaining neighborhoods and stabilizing our communities are very important goals for the Tenants’ Rights Program.

Workers' Rights

The low-wage immigrant workers served by Centro Legal’s Workers’ Rights Program are employed in industries where wage theft and other serious workplace violations are commonplace.

Litigation

Through each of our legal programs, Centro Legal represents low-income and immigrant workers, tenants, and other clients and communities in affirmative and impact lawsuits to protect their rights and improve conditions more broadly. 

You have rights! Regardless of your immigration status, you have protections from immigration raids at your home or place of work. Below please find a variety of videos, training slideshows, and info guides on your legal rights to help you and your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors be safe.

California: A Sanctuary State

The California Values ​​Act (SB 54), enacted January 1, 2018, ensures that the use of local or state resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement is prohibited and that our schools, hospitals, and courts are safe spaces for everyone in the community. Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Anaheim are all Sanctuary Cities with increased protections for immigrants. 

This means the police cannot ask you about your immigration status or deport you solely on immigration charges. If you are arrested, the police cannot transfer you to ICE custody unless you have a felony or high level misdemeanor conviction (DUIs; sale, possession, or use of drugs; domestic violence; robbery; murder). 

If you do come into contact with the police or ICE agents, you are entitled to fundamental legal rights.

People migrating to the United States are often fleeing war, violence, persecution, economic and political upheaval, and devastating natural disasters. Catholic social teaching holds that humans have a right to move to protect their lives and families. Catholic Charities immigration services support the federal government’s right and duty to regulate our borders while also calling for bipartisan, effective, humane reforms to our country’s broken immigration system.

"Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."

St. Francis of Assisi

Vincentians, what's going on in your Conferences?

Reply to this email with photos and stories of Conference life so that we may share it in Praxis. 

...or email jproctor@svdp-alameda.org with your good news!

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County Direct Services Campus

Vincentians, It's that time again - Annual Reports!



This Conference report form must be used by all Conferences.

Please do not use older versions of this form. 

This report form is intended to promote more timely, accurate, and consistent reporting. It is essential to have your Conference annual report completed properly and returned on time so that we can help our National Council responsibly publish the consolidated National results and comply with the requirements of our tax-exempt status.

This report is a reflection of the Conference, its Special Works and Stores.

Please use the link below to obtain the annual report forms.

The forms found here are intended to be worksheets to assist in filing your report online in the Members Portal.

Detailed instructions for the online report are provided in the last few pages of each form.

If you are unable to file online, please send a PDF of your completed form to John Proctor at: jproctor@svdp-alameda.org or your paper form via mail to my attention to St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County 2272 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94612 and I will upload it for you.

Please do not send forms to the National Council.

Further assistance can be found below under “Help Files”.

If you have any questions on reporting, contact John Proctor at jproctor@svdp-alameda.org

The deadline was November 30. 

Your cooperation is appreciated.

For the Dining Room: 8:30 am to 1 pm Tuesday through Saturday

Volunteers in the dining room / kitchen prepare, and bag warm meals for our guests and serve them at the gated entrance to the courtyard. These excellent hot takeaway meals are being provided while the dining room remains open to the general public. The family dining room is open for elderly people, families with children and people with special needs.

We especially need Wednesday, Thursday and Friday volunteers.

Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Selena Lawson at slawson@svdp-alameda.org for more information.

"You are also asked to help the poor people to be able to earn their living in this season by supplying them with the implements to gather the harvest."

St. Vincent de Paul

To schedule a donation at our direct services campus in Oakland, please make an appointment with Brenda Addison at (510) 593-5501 or baddison@svdp-alameda.org 

Come to the parking lot at 675 23^rd Street (cross street San Pablo and 23^rd street) and pull up to the gate and honk for entry. Tax deductible donation slips are available. 

Communications and Branding

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County Online Conference Database

All conferences are strongly encouraged to use the SVdP Database for tracking and reporting assistance given to neighbors and conference finances. Doing so greatly simplifies generating the data for the Annual Report since the database tracks information in categories that are identical to those in the Annual Report. In addition, consulting the neighbor data when receiving requests for assistance enables rapid assessment of previous assistance by your conference and neighboring conferences to make the best possible decisions when providing help.

If your conference is not currently using the Database, and you are interested, please contact Mike Dresen at: m.dresen@comcast.net

Online Conference Database Training Zoom Videos

Please follow the links below to view the recordings of the training sessions with Joseph Roberts for the Online Conference Database.

User 101 Online Conference Database Training

https://youtu.be/AwsEJzTLAps

Treasurer 101 Training 

https://youtu.be/VASfrIpqRho

Administrator Training

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1osB2LeErgazHS93cbLbCU1OnLQzKRC1Q?usp=sharing

Conference Database Sharing Process

https://youtu.be/xfcGiiIwdlE

Before considering help for “The Neighbor”

1.     How much is the past due balance. Ask for that in writing in order to get a complete picture of the debt. 

2.     Sustainability- Is “The Neighbor” Working or on a fixed income? Can they afford to work out a plan, Keeping in mind that the monthly rent has to be paid in addition to payment plan amount. 

3.     Does the Lease Agreement include others in the H/H. All “Tenant’s “ listed have to agree on a repayment plan otherwise it is not legal and binding. 

4.     Any Agreement to pay amount past due once signed and dated by Owner, Landlord or Property Manager and Tenant or Tenant’s becomes a legal Document and if agreement isn’t kept may result in eviction. 

5.     How much can your Conference afford to pay? You can also use ATNCF Dollars ? Will this monetary support be enough to keep this “ Neighbor” or “Neighbor’s “ housed ? SVdp’s Goal is keep folks housed not merely send check’s to owners. 

6.     If you agree to help I would encourage Conferences to first speak directly with the Owners, Property Managers, and Landlords to confirm that they are on-board with this plan.

7.     Consider the reason “The Neighbor” fell behind originally? 

8.     Consider Seniors and Disabled and Families with underage Children? 

9.     Some “Neighbor’s” who reach out for help are beyond the help we can afford them. Some decisions aren’t always easy to make but do your best. Offer support in other ways but that may not always be welcomed. 

10.  The linked document, "Amendment to Rental Agreement," is only a sample. Some Owners, Property Owners and Landlords may choose to use another form or another type of agreement. 

Jackie Mallory

Questions or concerns: Jmallory@svdp-alameda.org or 1-510-638-7600. 

Society of St. Vincent de Paul National Council of the United States

A Letter from Our Servant Leaders

Our Vincentian Charism

I just attended my first Midyear Business Meeting as your National CEO, and it was fantastic! It was wonderful to reunite with Vincentians that I have known for decades, and to meet others for the first time.

The Charism of our Society was on full display. As we all know, what a gift it is from the Holy Spirit to be a part of our Vincentian call to seek and find the forgotten. When we fulfill our call, we encounter Jesus in everyone we are blessed to serve.



Many Vincentians told me that they felt this was the best Midyear Meeting they have ever attended. There were a lot of reasons it was a great meeting.

First, when we gather, we fulfill our Vincentian call to grow spiritually and in friendship. That cannot happen at a virtual Zoom meeting.

Second, the focus of this year’s meeting was on Governance, Finance, and the Standards of Excellence, critical parts of good stewardship and essential for achieving Blessed Frédéric’s vision of a commitment to accountability within our Society. Special thanks to John Hallissy and Ed McCarthy for their excellent presentations on this subject matter.

Third, we were able to discuss and celebrate all our recent accomplishments. Our Regional Vice Presidents are working together to position our Councils, Conferences, and Special Works for success in keeping hope alive for the most vulnerable throughout our great country.

National President John Berry gave a State of the Society comprehensive report on the activities of our National Council. He provided an overview of how well Vision SVdP is shaping up, and how the information provided by our membership will lay out the roadmap for our future.

Sean Meyers gave the final report and a detailed plan from our Technology Task Force. His report highlighted our vision of how the use of technology will be key to the bright future of our Society.

It was also reported that our Society will officially open our Washington D.C. Office on April 4. As one of the largest lay Catholic groups in the country, this new office will give us the opportunity to share the stories of those we are blessed to serve with our leaders, but most importantly, with the whole country.

Earlier in this article, I mentioned the encounters we are blessed to have with those we serve. These encounters are priceless, and that is why it is so important for us to be that voice for the poor. We need to share their stories so together we can unite as a country to end some of the things we see on our encounters with those most in need.

How heartbreaking it is to visit a home with children who cannot even go to bed hungry because they do not even have a bed to sleep on.

How important are our encounters at SVdP Special Works, where people who are working come into our pharmacies because they cannot afford their life-sustaining medications.

We provide food, beds, prescription medicines, and so much more! Where would the most vulnerable be in our country or world without the Society?

Our Vincentian Charism is such a special gift — and so is the wisdom we share in our Vincentian friendship.

Several decades ago, a Vincentian leader in my hometown shared some wisdom with me that I cherish to this day. He was a two-time Council President in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, serving six years in the 1970s and six years in the 1990s.

Marvin Vincent Ourso was a Vincentian for almost 70 years before he went to his rest in heaven.

Many years ago, Marvin and I were having a conversation about how people can grow together with different views and thoughts on a variety of issues.

At the time, Marvin was in his early 70s, and I was in my late 20s. I was trying to understand the complex nature of relationships.

Marvin said, “As Vincentians, we are all trying to grow closer to Jesus. We are trying to follow His example.” He said, “Michael, you know that Jesus was both liberal and conservative (not in a political sense). He knows when to be liberal and when to be conservative. He is divine and we are not, but we need to do our best to look at everything through the lens that Jesus would want us to.”

Marvin went on to say, “For us brother and sister Vincentians, the most important thing we have is Christ and our friendship. Nothing can divide us if we grow together spiritually.”

These words of wisdom are even more important to me today than when Marvin shared them with me over 30 years ago.

That is what I saw on display at our Midyear Meeting: Vincentians embracing one another, sharing wisdom, and growing in spiritual friendship.

It is a blessing for me to meet and get to know each of you. You are God’s gift to our Society and all those we are blessed to serve!

Best wishes in Christ,



Michael J. Acaldo

National CEO

Guidance on Enforcement Agencies from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

To: Vincentian Leaders

From: National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Re: Guidance on Enforcement Agencies

Several members have reached out to the National Council recently requesting guidance on how to respond in the case of local or federal agents attempting to enter a Vincentian facility or access information on the people we serve. This memo addresses these questions.

The primary purpose of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is for our members to grow in holiness through person-to-person service to people in need, “regardless” as our Rule says, “of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, criminal justice status, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, age or physical handicap.” In the people we serve, we see the Face of Christ. This has been our charism for the past 180 years in the United States and it remains so today.

In light of our mission, we do not ask about immigration status, nor do we record that information if we happen to learn it. As our manual advises, “members should be careful to record only what is essential to serve [the neighbor].” This generally does not include immigration status. Because we do not collect this information, we cannot share it should anyone inquire as to someone’s status.

Recently, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded the 2021 Memorandum on “Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas.” This memo had provided protections against enforcement agencies taking action in places such as schools, churches, medical facilities, and social service centers. While DHS has yet to provide new guidance that replace the 2021 Memorandum, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has called the recission “contrary to the common good.” The Society joins with our bishops in expressing grave concern over the impact of DHS’ recission.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not endorse political candidates or advocate for partisan views. We do, however, publicly address policies that concern poverty and the rights and needs of the people we serve. The Voice for the Poor raises awareness and advocates for policies that help to lift families and individuals out of poverty. Just this week, Vincentian leaders from around the country gathered in Washington to meet with our nation’s representatives. We urged them not to forget the poor and the vulnerable among us.

While we continue to advocate for the people we serve at all levels of government, it is important to develop guidelines for how the Society should respond if enforcement agencies attempt to enter our facilities. If a local or federal agent visits your Conference, Council, or Special Works facility, we recommend the following:

• Remain calm and professional. Our Vincentian charism encourages us to respect the human dignity of all.

• Know your rights and follow the law. Any agent needs a valid judicial warrant to enter non-public areas. Consider signage that designates “private area” to distinguish it from areas where any member of the public is welcome.

• Know your obligations. Comply with lawful warrants or subpoenas, and ensure you provide copies to your Council leadership.

• Protect confidential information. Maintain the confidentiality of the people we serve and do not volunteer information on their behalf. Again, comply with all warrants and subpoenas.

In our conference work, as always, information about someone served should remain confidential and details not shared via email. Remember, if a case is discussed during any meeting, the undocumented status of the person is not relevant.

• Record information on the visit. Note the name, badge number and agency of the visiting officer and ask for the purpose for the visit and their contact information.

• Alert local leadership. Inform your Conference or Council President/staff leader or Special Works Executive immediately. If you should have an encounter with an enforcement agency, it is critical that you contact your Conference or Council President or Executive Director/CEO so they can handle the matter directly or provide you guidance on how to respond.

• Alert the National Council. Contact Sherry Brown at the National Council at

sbrown@svdpusa.org or call (314) 576-3993, extension 200.

• Stay informed. Continue to follow the USCCB and your Diocesan guidelines as they relate to these issues.

Please continue to pray for all those the Society serves, especially those who may be experiencing

fear and uncertainty at this time. Our mission remains as essential as ever. We thank God for

blessing us with opportunities to put our faith in action every day.

For your reflection and contemplation, please find:

Pope St. John Paul II’s message on this issue given on World Migration Day, 1996

February 3, 2025

National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Inc.

66 Progress Parkway • Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3706 • (314) 576-3993 •

www.svdpusa.org

SVdP USA Supports Common Sense Immigration Reform

Modeling our lives and service after the teaching of the Gospel which calls us to see Jesus in the poor and needy wherever they may be found, we serve many immigrants. Approved by the National Council Members in 2016, our Immigration Position Paper addresses the urgent need for immigration reform. Our position is based on love of neighbor, the principles of our Catholic faith, and the rich tradition and noble history of our country as a land of opportunity and refuge for migrants. 

Read the message from National President John Berry and the SVdP Immigration Position Paper here.

Contemplation: Between Doing and Being

It has been said that God only asks us to devote one day a week to him, and on that day he asks us not to work, but to rest. On Sunday, then, you are simply a human being. The other six days, you are a human doing. For Vincentians, though, rest from our works of charity often seems unthinkable.

We seek to share generously of our time, our talents, our possessions and ourselves. [Rule, Part I, 2.5.1] By acting upon this virtue of selflessness, we seek to become

truly selfless, emptied of self, so that we can be filled with God. Vincentians are people of action; of contemplation, also, but not at the expense of loving God with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows!” [CCD XI:32]

We follow the example of St. Louise de Marillac, whose commitment to serving the poor, the foundlings, the sick, the victims of war, and her own Daughters of Charity led her often to drag herself out of her own sickbed to go about her work. For all of his own lifelong whirlwind of work and activity for the poor of seventeenth century France, it was St. Vincent who often reminded her – implored her – to stop and to rest. “Increase your strength,” he advised. “You need it, or, in any case, the public does.” [CCD I:392]

We are called not to hoard our resources; everything given to us is meant to be used to relieve the needs of today. As a result, there may come days when we have no more money to give; both we and the neighbor understand this. In a similar way, we don’t hold back our love, our presence, or our efforts when they are needed – and we are able. But just as the money sometimes runs out, so, too, can our personal reserve of strength and stamina.

Aristotle said that if you want to become a builder, you build something. If you want to become virtuous, you do virtuous things. [Nichomachean Ethics] We become by doing; what begins as an exterior practice, becomes interior. We no longer simply act generously, we become generous.

So, what do we become if we do too much, especially if we do so much that we can do no more without suffering burnout, or compassion fatigue, or physical exhaustion; if our very actions of virtue lead to our inability to continue them? We are people of contemplation and action, and we need to pause our actions in order to replenish and refresh ourselves with prayer and rest.

The Catechism teaches that the cardinal virtue of temperance moderates our desires for worldly goods. In a sense, learning to control our drive to always “do more” can be an exercise in temperance, allowing our love of God and neighbor to be undisturbed by a body or mind crying out for rest. Only each of us can know our personal limits, and not everything that makes us tired is too much, but there is a time for everything, even rest.

Contemplate

Do I pause to refresh myself with prayer and reflection, rather than focusing only on “the work”?

Recommended Reading

15 Days of Prayer with Blessed Frédéric Ozanam

Formation and Spirituality

New Copies of the Rule

Our newest reprint of the Rule and Regla includes all three parts in a small, pocket-sized format. It replaces both the old Pocket Rule, and the full Rule books, and is available now for purchase in English and Spanish.

Are there any changes to the text?

English: There are no changes to Part I or Part III of the Rule. There are some updates to Part II (the International Statutes).

Spanish: There is no longer an insert with previous updates. All three parts are completely updated, with a new and better translation.

Do I need to replace any copies of the Rule that I have now?

English: You should have one copy of this newest reprint for reference to Part II. However, since members primarily use Part I and III, there is no urgent need to replace old copies. Be sure you have the 2019 or newer version.

Spanish: We recommend that you begin replacing all old copies of the Rule as soon as possible.

Questions and Answers

Q: We have a Conference President approaching the end of her second term and trying to plan her succession. No current member of this active Conference seems willing to step up to succeed her. If that does not change, what should happen with the Conference?

A: There are two choices, either elect someone from within or close the Conference. It is up to the Conference members to step forward and provide leadership for their Conference. A District Council president can temporarily appoint someone to be Conference President if no president is nominated before the current president term ends, but an election has to take place as soon as possible and within a reasonable time. The current president should NOT stay in office after their term has officially ended.

Q: Can you cite how often District Councils are to meet? I can’t seem to locate this information in “The Rule.”

A: Refer to your adopted bylaws. In each District Council bylaws is an article titled Meeting Frequency and Notice Requirements that reads, “The Board shall decide upon a schedule of regular Board meetings and present said schedule to the Corporation members annually.”

Submit your questions to Pam Hudson Johnson at phudson@svdpusa.org   

Reflect

RADICAL GRACE

Universal Liberation and Love

Father Richard points to Jesus’ first sermon, when he quotes the prophet Isaiah to emphasize a message of inclusion:  

Isaiah is the Hebrew prophet Jesus quotes directly when he first introduces himself in the synagogue in Nazareth: 

The Spirit of God has been given to me, 

YHWH has anointed me. 

He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, 

To bind up hearts that are broken, 

To proclaim liberty to captives, 

Freedom to those in prison, 

To proclaim the Year of Favor from the Lord. 

(Luke 4:18–19, quoting Isaiah 61:1– 2)  

Jesus, like the prophet he quotes, reveals not only his self-confidence but also his likely and intended audience. His message of good news is not likely to be sought after or heard by the comfortable and the secure, he seems to say, but by the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed—which fully explains Jesus’ behavior throughout the rest of his ministry. 

Notice that Jesus deliberately does not quote the final line of the full, yet contradictory, Isaiah passage: “to proclaim a day of vengeance from our God.” It’s almost as though Jesus is tired of making God into one who limits and threatens, instead of the limitless one whom the passage has just talked about, and so different from the glorious vision of the New Jerusalem Isaiah has just described in the whole of chapter 60. Jesus refuses to let Isaiah end with caution and fear. Fortunately, we see that Isaiah does not stay there, either. Later in the book, he exclaims:  

I am ready to be approached by those who do not consult me, 

Ready to be found by those who do not seek me. 

I say, “I am here. I am here!” to a nation that does not 

even invoke my name. (Isaiah 65:1) 

This sounds like so much availability and generosity from God’s side, perhaps too much for us to hope for. And yet this is where Isaiah lands for the rest of the prophecy, until the very final verse (66:24) where he makes a seeming allusion to the fires of Gehenna. But in Jewish teaching, the metaphor of fire doesn’t focus on eternal punishment. In the whole Bible, fire is almost entirely a “refiner’s fire” of purification in this world, not a fire of torture in the next.  

The final chapters of Isaiah entertain themes of universal liberation and salvation for all, beginning with eunuchs and foreigners (56:1–7), along with agnostics and the barely interested (65:1–7), continuing with hints of universal salvation (through much of chapter 65), and moving into a total cosmology with a “new heavens and a new earth” (65:17; also 66:22). These images will return again at the end of the New Testament (Revelation 21:1). Thank God the Bible ends with an optimistic hope and vision, instead of an eternal threat that puts the whole message off balance and outside of love.  

Image credit and inspiration: Geentanjal Khanna, Untitled (detail), 2016, photo,

Unearned and unmerited generosity is an element or extension of the divine, revealing itself in our lived experience—spontaneous, unplanned, sometimes messy, as small as a drop of water—requiring open hands to receive it. 

Richard Rohr

Center for Action and Contemplation 

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

"God's presence can be felt and heard in the call to stand up for justice and mercy among the marginalized in this and every society."



J. Jioni Palmer

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

May we serve the marginalized because in doing so, we are serving you, reflecting your justice and mercy.