The Extended

Vincentian Family

Over a period of three days, members of various groups in our Vincentian Family gathered at St. Joseph's Seminary for prayer, praise, planning and playing.

The Vincentian Family Gathering 2006 began Thursday evening, April 27, with a fine dinner and some joy-filled conversation. Tables were filled with members of the Sisters of Charity (New York, Convent Station, Halifax, Leavenworth, Nazareth), Daughters of Charity (5 Provinces), Vincentian Brothers and Priests (3 Provinces), Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Ladies of Charity, Vincentian Marian Youth, Companions of Vincent, Jornadas de La Vida Cristiana, Missionary Servants of the Blessed Trinity and Most Holy Trinity, Missionary Cenacle Volunteers, Sisters of St. Martha, St. John's University faculty, and St. Joseph's Seminary staff. The evening consisted of updating the assembled group through a DVD produced by John Freund and young adults from St. Joe's, as well as reports by members of the Vincentian Family Collaborators – the group that sponsors these regional gatherings. At the end of the evening, participants retired to rooms, dorms and hotel rooms for a good night's sleep.

Friday was keynoted by Robert Maloney, C.M., who gave an overview of worldwide Vincentian Family collaborations and challenged us to move our efforts to the structural / systemic level. Respondents, including our own Tom McKenna, pushed us to integrate prayer and action.

That afternoon, participants chose from among workshops featuring trailblazing projects in the Family in the areas of Advocacy, Formation in our Shared Charism, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. New-found family members from the Jornada were a special and dynamic addition to the gathering mix. Late afternoon liturgy was a gentle, beautiful Mass which helped us to trust the Spirit who would provide abundantly all we needed to accomplish our goals.

The evening was devoted to preparing for Regional planning which was slated for Saturday. The day was capped by a “praise and worship” experience led by the Life Teen choir from St. Andrew's Church. St. Andrews is a new partner in the justiceworX youth program at St. Joe's.

Saturday morning's keynote, delivered by Sister of Charity Regina Bechtle, proved to be the “afterburner” which kicked the assembly into high gear. Sister Regina challenged the family to expose the myths that we hold about other members of the family, to look at our resistances to collaboration and to see them as doorways rather than roadblocks. Her input clearly propelled the group into an afternoon of productive reflection and planning in regional groups. That afternoon, we were treated to an update on what has been accomplished in Family collaborations in the USA and Canada since last year. An evening Mass for the Third Sunday, with dynamic gospel music, lifted our hearts and we ended the day with an evening dinner together.

Sunday morning was devoted to fine tuning plans, and presenting the plans in various artistic, musical and comedic ways. Raucous laughter was knitted together with serious planning, as the regional groups shared their initial plans and accountability structures. Plans are afoot in the East for regional formation in the spirituality of charity and justice, as well as education in immigration issues. We'll all be hearing more from the groups nearest our community houses.

“Amazing!” “I've never felt so Vincentian!” “I know I've found my spiritual family!” God was with us!