Minutes in pdf format (appended below in plain text) contains reports from the various branches and much more.

The minutes also include reports of progress on systemic change initiative, celebration of the Feast of Vincent 2008, membership studies, historical sites of the Vincentian Family, initial discussion for celebration of 350th anniversary of death of Vincent, representation of the Family at the UN, the new logo for the family, plans for World Youth Day in Sidney and plans for future meeting of leadership.

From January 31 to February 2, 2008, the 14th Meeting of the International Heads of the Vincentian Family was held in the General Curia of the Congregation of the Mission, Vía dei Capasso 30, Rome.

Participants:

• International Association of Charities (AIC): Marina Costa and María Eugenia Magallanes.
• Congregation of the Mission: Fr. Gregory G. Gay and Fr. Manuel Ginete.
• Daughters of Charity: Sr Evelyne Franc and Sr Margaret Barrett.
• Society of Saint Vincent de Paul: José Ramón Díaz Torremocha and Marco Bétemps.
• Religious if Saint Vincent de Paul: Fr. Yvon Laroche and Fr. Yvon Sabourin.
• Vincentian Marian Youth: Yasmine Cajuste and Fr. Pavol Noga, C.M.
• Association of the Miraculous Medal: Sr Carolina Flores.
• Vincentian Lay Missioners (MISEVI): Fr. Felipe Nieto and Marcos Amador.
• Sisters of Charity of St. Jean Antide Thouret: Sr María Luísa Colombo
• Commission on Systemic Change: Fr. Robert Maloney, C.M.
• Vincentian Family Office: Fr. Alfredo Becerrra and Sr María Pilar López.

Invited Guests:

1. Sr Denise Baumann and Sr Blandine Klein from the Strasbourg Federation of the Sisters
2. of Charity
3. Sr Mary Ann Daly from the Sisters of Charity Federation of North America

Reports from the invited branches

• Strasbourg Federation of the Sisters of Charity:
Currently the Federation is made up of 3,504 professed Sisters, 68 novices and 38 postulants, distributed among the three Congregations in the Federation. The Federation Council, made up of the Major Superiors and two Councillors, meets annually. The Daughters of Charity from Colon Germany and Austria also participate in this meeting.

• Sisters of Charity Federation of North America:

The Federation is made up of 13 Congregations with approximately 4,000 vowed members and 700 lay associates/affiliates who follow the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillacand Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

These interventions led to a very rich dialogue among the participants and the Sisters representing their respective Federations. This was also the opportunity to clarify points and to become more aware of the great wealth of the Vincentian charism.

Report from the Branches in attendance regarding activities carried out by the Vincentian Family

These reports were distributed to the participants rather than being presented orally at the meeting. Each one had the opportunity to share with the others about the documents received, to ask for explanations, make suggestions, etc.

Sr María Luísa Colombo from the Sisters of Charity of Sr Jean Antida Thouret gave a thorough report about her presence and service in the Sudan and told us about a new foundation for refugees where they can stop and re-orient their lives along their journey of returning to their country. Marco Bétemps presented the activities carried out in the campaign “The Fight Against Malaria.”

Themes from the Commission on Systemic Change

The presentation given by Fr. Maloney, in his role as President of this commission, was divided into three parts:

• Report on the activities of the Commission:

Written guides for five reflections were sent to all the members of the Vincentian Family to promote a “day of prayer in common”.
There is a book being prepared for publication entitled Seeds of Hope: Stories of Systemic Change that analyzes the basic ideas, spirituality and strategies of systemic change as well as how it can be explained through a series of accounts of existing projects. The plan is that the book will be published in September 2008.They are also developing a “toolbox” with useful materials and a comic strip format that explains in a simplified way what systemic change is about.
The members of the commission have given workshops in Paris, San Francisco, Nairobi, Mexico, New York and Chicago.

• Establishment of funding for systemic change projects
A foundation has offered $100,000 each year for two years, with the possibility of extending this offer up to five years, for projects that meet a determined set of conditions summed up as follows: are new projects or introduce a new, systemic change approach into an already-existing project, involve the poor people themselves at all stages, have objectives with a holistic vision, emphasize self-help and self-sustaining programs, demonstrate transparency in the management and control over use of assets, and construct a shared vision of all the social agents involved in the project.
Those who are eligible for funding: AIC, Daughters of Charity, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, AMM, JMV, MISEVI and the Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul. The Congregation of the Mission already receives funding from this Foundation for projects that meet the established conditions.

• Proposal for Workshops by Continent for the Vincentian Family 2008 – 2010:
“To hold regional (i.e., continental) sessions for the formation of Vincentian Family advisors / directors / leaders, with a special focus and emphasis on the theme of systemic change and how this can be introduced, implemented and directed.”
This plan is being developed as an alternative to a repeat of the meeting of Advisors held in Paris from July 7-26, 2002, which was considered important to repeat.
The length of the session would be one week, and the general content of the program would include: The Vincentian Family: branches, characteristics, mission and spirituality; Systemic change as a means of promoting sustainable development of poor persons; designed for advisors, leaders, directors; collaboration and “partnership”.

Celebration of the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul for 2008

Given the fact that during last year’s meeting, it was decided that the theme of Systemic Change would be developed during the years 2007 and 2008, Fr. Gregory asked for suggestions of how to present it this year.

Study of “Membership of persons in special circumstances in the Associations of the Vincentian Family.”

The participants had previously received a study carried out by Fr. Alberto Vernaschi, CM, Canon Law expert, as requested by the meeting of leadership the preceding year.
Fr. Vernaschi’s study included an introduction in which he explained the need to know clearly the identity of each Association, the various forms and levels of membership present in each of them and also the theological, canon law and pastoral relationships involved. This is not an official document, but rather an internal document for reflection.

Report about the historical sites for the Vincentian Family

Fr. Gregory and Sr. Evelyne reported on the steps taken in follow up to the proposal from last year to make the Berceau more available for the Branches of the Vincentian Family and to make improvements to it.
Several meetings have taken place with a commission created for this purpose and various proposals have been developed: to have a series of “self-guides” in various languages and touch screens in various locations. A business has been contacted to develop this project considering these and other aspects. They are also studying the possibility of spiritual accompaniment for those who come for retreats and/or spiritual exercises.

350th Anniversary of the death of Saint Vincent (2010): initial reflections

In 2010 we will celebrate 350 years since the deaths of Saint Vincent and Saint Louise. The participants were invited to suggest ideas, initiatives, activities or other possible ways of celebrating this event.
After this brainstorm, we saw the urgent need to name a commission made up of a representative of
each Branch.

Representation of the Vincentian Family before the UN and the European Union:initial discussion

A report prepared by Fr. Foley was distributed describing his work with the UN, which consists principally in collaborating with other NGOs, representatives of other Congregations, most especially in reference to the situation of poor persons. In this way they act as a form of ”lobby” to various departments of the UN.

The possibility was suggested of having various Branches of the Vincentian Family work together as a “family” before the UN. In 1999 the Congregation of the Mission was accredited as an NGO. Prior to this, the AIC became accredited; the Federation of Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Daughters of Charity also have NGO status. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has designated someone to handle the paper work for its accreditation. It is clear that the Vincentian Family is in a situation where it can collaborate to have a greater voice.

Logo for the Vincentian Family: recent proposals

All the participants received the results of the vote on the different options presented in 2007 as well as a new proposal developed by the seminarian Alexis Cerquera.

We thank Alexis for his collaboration, and a design was chosen among several proposed that will be used as a background for communications coming from the Vincentian Family, and will also be used for the next communication from the Superior General to the different Branches. This communication will be published on the FamVin website and the various Branches will be able to include a link to their respective websites.
Gathering for Vincentian Youth during World Youth Day (Sydney)
Fr. Ginete distributed some information including the Web site that has all the information for the celebration of the Vincentian Family, from July 9-13, at the Saint Stanislaus School. www.vincentianswyd.org.au – wyd@cmaustralia.org

Future meetings of the International Heads of the Vincentian Family: suggested dates and locations

It was agreed that the next meeting will take place in Madrid from January 30 to February 1, 2009.
The Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, in Paris on rue du Bac, was suggested as location of the Meeting in 2010, from January 29 -31.

We concluded our meeting by praying the prayer for Systemic Change