Press release issued from the Vincentian Congregation today Thursday 23rd October 2014.
Clicking on the link please download the PDF version of the ‘Statement from the Vincentian Congregation’. In most cases it will open in your browser but you may need Adobe PDF reader to open it.
The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland has completed its review into the Safeguarding Practice in the Vincentian Congregation please find attached.
Clicking on the link please download the PDF version of the ‘Review of Safeguarding practice in the Vincentian Congregation’. In most cases it will open in your browser but you may need Adobe PDF reader to open it.
Review of Safeguarding practice in the Vincentian Congregation
Says Jesus’ Cousin Is a Model for All Christians
Vatican City, June 24, 2014 (Zenit.org)
At morning Mass in the Casa Santa Marta today, Pope Francis recalled that today is the feast of the Natiivity of St. John the Baptist. He said this cousin and precursor of Jesus should be a model for Christians to imitate.
In his homily, the Pope described John’s vocation in three verbs: to prepare, to discern, and to diminish.
Taking up the title of the martyr John the Baptist, “the greatest of the prophets,” the Pope urged those present to learn from his example.
Father Gregory Gay CM, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, speaks of mercy. From the website of the Brothers of the CMM (Congregatio Fratrum Beatae Mariae Virginis, Mater Misericordiae). “To have an inspiring start of this day, the general board had invited Fr. Gregory Gay to be the key-note speaker. His lecture was very inspiring indeed, and we would like to share his words with you, by providing the text and a video compilation.
F. Gay give an overview – Today, I will explore the virtue of mercy, starting with our contemporary situation, and then retrieving its biblical and spiritual foundations. I will look at the impact of virtue of mercy and its influence on the Church and Christian life. Then I will reflect developing a “culture of mercy” in a world often seen as merciless. After that, I will offer some reflection questions for reflection and discussion. Finally, I will close with a short meditation on mercy, taken from a talk given by Pope Francis to parish priests in Rome, which I think, is a wonderful witness to mercy.
However dark things are, goodness always re-emerges and spreads. Each day in our world, beauty is born anew, it rises transformed through the storms of history.
At 11am this morning, Pope Francis received at the Vatican members of the Bishops Conference of Zimbabwe on their ad limina visit.
Here below is the Holy Fathers address:
The NBSCCCI is undertaking a routine safeguarding practice review of all dioceses and religious orders in Ireland. The Vincentian Community is currently being reviewed as part of this process. We invite anyone who has experienced abuse and has not yet come forward to do so either to the Designated Officer(s), the Gardaí, or the HSE.
Highlights Jesus Great Gift That Offers Fortitude, Stability and Counsel
Vatican City, May 19, 2014 (Zenit.org)
A Christian should have their heart fixed on the Holy Spirit, not a fickle heart that dances from one place to another.
This was Pope Francis message Monday morning at Mass in Casa Santa Marta.
The Pope focused his homily on St. Paul, who was able to continuously evangelize because his heart was made firm by the Holy Spirit. What kind of heart do we have? That was the question at the center of Pope Francis homily based on the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, which speaks of St Paul’s commitment to evangelization his firm heart in continuous motion.
The Apostle to the Gentiles is in Iconium, where they tried to kill him, but still he does not complain, the Pope recalled. He pushes ahead on to evangelize in the area of Lycaonia, and in the name of the Lord, heals a paralytic. On seeing this miracle, the pagans think Paul, and Barnabas who was accompanying him, are gods Zeus and Hermes descended upon the earth.
Paul struggled to convince them that they were men, the Pope said, adding that these are the human trials that Paul experienced.
We all have many of these, all of us; we are surrounded by many events that move us from one place to another. But we ask for the grace to have a fixed heart, like Paul, so as not to complain about the persecution. Read more →
The local organization of Vincentian Lay Missionaries (MISEVI) in Slovakia is still in its infancy, but has already played a major role inspiring youth.. In early November 2013, MISEVI Slovakia hosted a European–wide meeting of MISEVI in Nitra. This younger branch of the Vincentian Family gathers together young people who volunteer to serve the poor in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. The opportunity to do so attracted several young Slovaks seeking to work as lay missionaries.
Some 80 participants from 9 countries in Europe and the Middle East attended the meeting in Slovakia. Joining them was the Superior General, Fr. Gregory Gay, CM, who arrived with Frs. Stanislav P. Zontak, CM (Slovakia), Juventino P. Castillero, CM (Panama) and Eli P. Chaves, CM (Brazil) from the Curia. Also present were Fr. Jozef Noga, CM, Superior of the Province of Slovakia, and other CM’s and Daughters of Charity. The official welcome was given to the international consultant of MISEVI, Fr. David P. Fernández, CM, and members of the international team of MISEVI of Spain. Read more →
Pope Francis: New Saints Were Unafraid of Gazing Upon Wounds of Christ
Vatican City, April 27, 2014 (Zenit.org) Ann Schneible, Deborah Castellano Lubov
On Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church celebrated the canonization John XXIII and John Paul II, two of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Two tapestries, each bearing the image of the newly-declared saints, hung from the façade of Saint Peter’s basilica, overlooking the hundreds of thousands of people who had filled Saint Peter’s Square for the occasion. Thousands more poured into the streets around the Vatican, took part in the Mass by watching it on giant screens. Most notable was the vast number of pilgrims from Poland who have travelled to Rome – by bus, plane, and even on foot – to witness the canonization of the first Polish pope. Read more →
“May these two new saints and shepherds of Gods people intercede for the Church”
Missed the canonization Mass from Rome? Don’t worry. Visit the website of the CM New England Province where you can replay in your convenience later on.
Vatican City, April 27, 2014 (Zenit.org)
Here is the translation of the Pope’s homily at the Canonization Mass of Sts. John XXIII and John Paul II today in St. Peter’s Square. Read more →
The Vincentian Community is aware of a recent newspaper article that makes reference to two Vincentian priests who were teachers in St Paul’s College and St Vincent’s Castleknock College in the past.
The Vincentian Community wishes to offer our support to anyone who was harmed during their time in our schools and we encourage them to contact us. We are fully committed to helping anyone who has suffered abuse, in any way we can.
Anyone with concerns on child safeguarding issues should contact An Garda Síochána, Tusla, the Colleges or the Provincial Office of the Vincentian Community.
Fr. Paschal Scallon C.M., Provincial, Vincentian Community.
Fr. Eamon Devlin C.M., Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for Child Safeguarding in the Vincentian Community in Ireland.
Vincentian Community Provincial Office. Tel: 01-851-0842. Email: cmdublin@vincentians.ie
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