“From all eternity, God selected and chose you for this”
I would like to start with this quote from St. Vincent in order to express what we have had last January 27-29 in Paris. Those of us who were there felt chosen by God because He was indeed present among us so that in the next few years we shall be representing the different Vincentian Family Associations: AIC, SSVP, DC, CM, AMM, RSV, MISEVI and VMY.
The days we had in the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity (where we had a very wonderful reception,) had been moments of getting to know and meet each other for the first time as there were some of us who were new, given the election of International Councils in the year 2005. In spite of the different languages, origins, ages etc. we truly experienced joy, enthusiasm, kindness, support and collaboration. We were very aware of our common mission; that of giving special attention to the poor following the examples of St. Vincent. We understood that differences are not a hindrance, had a positive sharing of experiences and learned more and better things such that each one showed his/ her availability to offer the best of who he/ she is.
We evaluated and discussed the activities made in 2005, the difficulties and achievements done as well as the projects for 2006. The projects undertaken are really challenges that require constancy and firm commitment like those which have been made during times of emergency (catastrophes…) or those long-term ones in favor of the children, promotion of the dignity of women, fight against HIV-AIDS, Africa, etc.
Based on an evaluation of the Political Campaign "Fight against Malaria," it was decided that a feasibility study be made on the “Artemisia Aunna”, a plant variety which, together with other substances may help fight against malaria. Then, the first steps of the project of SSVP for the African continent were also presented. All the Vincentian Family branches were invited to collaborate.
This meeting was also an opportunity to know two institutions that extend social work for the least fortunate in the spirit of St. Vincent.
The first one is from the De Paul University of Chicago, USA. It is a Catholic University that organizes the "Vincent de Paul Leadership Project" which studies and deepens the vision, values and practices of St. Vincent as manifested by the leaders and Vincentian organizations of the world. The representatives of the De Paul University also took the opportunity to evaluate our practices during the meeting and point out the strong points which we need to maintain as well as possible guidelines for collaboration with them.
The second one is the “De Paul Trust”. It is a foundation which was created in 1989, at a time when there was a high number of homeless young people for various reasons in Great Britain. What started as something like an immediate relief to resolve this problem was converted into an organization which continues offering more and better services there and extended to Ireland, Slovakia and Ukraine.
Everything that we had reminded us that we have to continue working together so that our projects may be affective and be effective above all. We have to keep our eyes open, be all ears, have active hands and keep our feet on the track so that we can remedy the injustices that exist today.
Let us search in the silence and through prayer of the Word of God who speaks in our hearts so that we may not be discouraged over the different adversities that we shall encounter along the way.
VMY International Councilor