From January 30th through February 1st, the international leaders of the Vincentian Family met in Madrid. Sr. Mary Ann Daly and Sr. Caroljean Willie represented the Federation at the meeting. Vincentian Family members had submitted reports detailing ways in which they had been collaborating across the family on an international level. The Federation used the alternative gift project which assisted the micro-financing project of the Ladies of Charity in Nigeria as an example of its work. The Elizabeth Seton scholarship to the Coady Institute for micro-financing was also mentioned.
Plans for the continental meetings on systemic changed were discussed. North America will host the meeting in November of 2010. It will provide an opportunity for members of the family to be trained as trainers in giving systemic change workshops. The first of these workshops is being held this month in Latin America.
Celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent De Paul and St Louise de Marillac were also discussed. Special Masses in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St. Peter’s Basilica is Rome are being planned. A micro-financing project in which all branches of the family can be involved is being considered. Each country is also encouraged to work across family lines to plan its own celebrations.
Preparations for World Youth Celebration in Spain in 2010 are also underway. There will be several days for “Vincentian” youth planned before the gathering. A committee including planners from the program held in Australia has been formed.
Besides the hard work, the participants spent time in informal sharing and learning of the various ways the charism is lived throughout the world and throughout the family. The Daughters of Charity of the St. Vincent Province in Madrid were perfect hostesses for the women participants, providing housing, meals and a warm welcome. Madrid is a beautiful city and it welcomed the North Americans with snow so that all would feel at home. It was only the second time it snowed in Madrid in forty years.
