News & Events
Five Reflections for the Vincentian Family: September 2007- 2008
Systemic Change Study Guide - Strategies to help people out of poverty
The international leaders of the Vincentian Family usually meet with the successor of St Vincent in Rome twice a year to foster unity and collaboration between the various branches of the Family.
Each year, in time for the feast of St Vincent de Paul on the 27th September, they ask everyone to collaborate on a specific initiative for the Poor. In past years they have encouraged us to focus on: Hunger, Malaria , Young People and so on. This year's approach aims to facilitate our prayer, reflection and formation and ultimately impact on the way we serve others. It is an approach geared to help us look carefully at our ministries and service to ensure that we not only give practical help but that we also stand alongside vulnerable people assisting them to change whatever unjust structures keep them poor.
To aid reflection and discussion they have produced a Systemic Change Study Guide with materials for 5 discussion sessions for use within and between our organisations and congregations. These are:
1. The great example: Chatillon-les-Dombes
2. Vincent and Systemic Change
3. The person of the Poor and transformation
4. Vincentian Political engagement
5. To be a prophetic member of the Vincentian Family
Besides using it with your own members the material could also be used for Vincentian Family Group Sharings. It's up to us to be as creative and imaginative as possible in its use.
[10.08.07 Sr Maureen Tinkler]