Written by Magdalene Tan & Ronald Adrianta
Photos by Peter Kay

Sunday, 22 April 2012 was a very special day, it was the day of the inaugural Mass for our Friends-in-Need (FINs).  The date was also specially chosen to commemorate the birthday of Frederic Ozanam (23 April) as well as the anniversary of the first SSVP meeting taking place in Paris on 23 April 1833. The Mass was held at St Ignatius Church at 3 pm.  His Grace, the Archbishop Nicholas Chia, together with Monsignor Eugene Vaz, Fr Philip Heng and Fr Christopher Lee concelebrated the special Mass for over 400 Vincentians and FINs.

In the homily, our Archbishop exhorted Vincentians to be like the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Lk 24: 35-48).  Firstly, they didn’t focus on themselves and their own problems, they reached out to a stranger (Jesus) and offered hospitality.  Secondly, they listened with their hearts (were not our hearts burning within us).   Like them, the Archbishop asked us to listen to the poor from our heart.  Thirdly, the disciples recognized Jesus only when He broke the bread.  The Eucharist (Mass) should be central in our life.  The disciples made the long journey back to Jerusalem to tell the others.  We are to share the Word with others.  The Archbishop said the number “two” means teamwork, Vincentians work together as a team and journey with our FINs to show our solidarity with them.   Let our eyes see others, our ears listen to others, our mouths speak of Christ to others and our hands reach out to others.

During the Offertory, our FINs accompanied by Vincentians brought gifts of bread and wine to the altar.

Before the Final Blessings, the Archbishop gave a special blessing to all FINs, Vincentians and all those working in Catholic agencies assisting the poor. At the end of the Mass, we watched a specially prepared video on the poor in Singapore and our journey with them.  After Mass, all adjourned to St Ignatius Hall for a tea reception and fellowship.  It was a meaningful and memorable day for Vincentians and FINs.

Excerpt from the Homily

In the Homily, Archbishop Nicholas Chia encourages us to learn from the two disciples of Emmaus and what they experienced:

Two of them were going to Emmaus:
In our work, do not do it alone. Working with others, we learn from each other and grow together.

Eventhough the disciples were deeply disappointed and sad that Christ had died, when they saw a stranger in need they reached out to him: They are telling us to not just focus on our own problems but to open ourselves to the need of others, also to disregard our own inconveniences when helping others. Be hospitable to strangers, and listen to them. Don't just keep on giving advices and suggestions on what our FINs should do, but spend time listening to them.

The stranger taught them about the Scripture: In helping the stranger, the two disciples were actually on the receiving end. They received teaching and understanding. Similarly, helping the poor and needy, we are not on only the giving end, but also on the receiving end. We experience Christ through them. Don't expect to receive thanks from them, in fact, thank them because they are instruments for us to experience God!

The stranger (Jesus) breaking the bread with the two disciples: It reminds us that Eucharist must be central in our life. We must cultivate a deep devotion to it.

They returned to Jerusalem immediately after they realized they were with the Risen Lord: Share our experiences with others. We have a mission to spread the Good News, to make Jesus known. His presence is felt through us. Reach out to everyone, especially those in need.

The society now has Special Consultative Status in the Economic and Social Council.

The International Confederation of the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SSVP) is now an NGO member of the United Nations' Economic and Social Council. The society gained its Special Consultative Status — with no voting rights — in ECOSOC in late January, SSVP'S president general Michael Thio told Catholic News. ECOSOC makes policy recommendations on economic, social and environmental challenges faced by academics, business people and NG0s.

Dr Michael Thio

President General of the International Confederation of The Society of St Vincent de Paul.

In a letter to all Vincentians, Dr Thio, a Singaporean, said the special status provides NGOs with access to ECOSOC and many other subsidiary bodies, as well as to UN human rights mechanisms. The special status also allows NGOs to attend UN conferences as well as events organised by the President of the General Assembly.

The process to gain admission started in 2010, Dr Thio told CatholicNews. SSVP's entry into ECOSOC unites it with its three other Vincentian branches who had previously been admitted as NGO members — the (Vincentian Fathers) Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity and Association of International Charities.

SSVP's entry will help "the Vincentian family speak in one united voice and add weight to its presence in the UN", said Dr Thio. Through conferences, forums and submission of working papers to the UN, SSVP hopes to alleviate the plight of the poor and marginalised with UN's poverty programmes and initiatives, Dr Thio explained. SSVP also hopes to expand its reach to include human rights, social justice, discrimination against women, famine, health care and fair employment issues, Dr Thio said.

The special status will also help SSVP raise funds for the poor, he added.

Taken from The Catholic News, 8 April 2012

Our Lady's Nativity Conference had their election on the 5th January 2012 to elect a new President and Treasurer upon completion of their President's and Treasurer's two years term.

Bro Ronald Adrianta and Sr Agatha Lim had been elected as President and Treasurer, respectively , to serve the next two years.

The new President had also appointed the following office bearers to assist him:

Vice President: Bro Peter Chia
Asst Treasurer: Sr Maggie Koh and Bro Joseph Tham
Secretary: Bro Daniel Patrick
Asst Secretary: Sr Anne Alexander Olsen and Sr Annly Neo

Yours in the Service of Christ,

Bro Daniel Patrick, Hon Secretary
SSVP, Our Lady’s Nativity Conference

Dear Vincentians,

Transcription of talk 1 and 2 from Father Joseph Stephen's follow-up retreat on 13th of November 2011 is now available. You can download them here. Transcription of talk 3 will be added very soon. Do check back this website for update.

Feel free to share the transcriptions with fellow Vincentians, especially those who missed the retreat, and use them for spiritual sharing in your conferences.

God Bless!

Year 2011 being declared “THE YEAR OF THE YOUTH” and in conjunction with the “WORLD YOUTH DAY” that took place in Madrid in August 2011 with the presence of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, a “VINCENTIAN YOUTH GATHERING” was held a few days prior to the World Youth Day.

Dr. Michael Thio, President General, delivered his message to the Vincentian Youths in the form of a Catechesis on the Theme “Identity of the Young Vincentian of the Twenty-First Century”.

Click HERE to download and read The Circular.

The feast of St Vincent de Paul is celebrated annually at the national level by Vincentians from all the parishes in Singapore. This year’s celebration included the commissioning of the new elected president of the National Council and the annual presentation of the National Long Service Awards. The awardees have all served 25 years & 50 years in the society.

Mass was celebrated by his Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia and concelebrated by eight priests at the Church Of The Risen Christ in Toa Payoh. In his homily Our Archbishop reminded all of us that our spiritual obligation to God binds us to be a neighbor to all- especially to reach out to the poor, the lonely & the sick. This is also the mission of the Church.

Archbishop is grateful to our society for our involvement to reach to all our neighbors, especially those in need. Christ identifies himself though those in need. Mathew 25:35-39 “I was hungry and you feed me ………”.  No one can be a friend of Jesus, if you are not a friend to your neighbor.

Our mission is to reach out to the plight of the under privileged. In carrying out our Apostolate work we are the instruments of God. Our good deeds touch the eyes of our recipients but their hearts can only be touched by God. So allow God to be present in our outreach to them.

As members of SSVP we must keep on nurturing our spirituality. We should see ourselves not only at the giving end but also at the receiving end as well. Our recipients give us the opportunity to encounter Christ. We should always remain humble. Be like the Good Samaritan – dedicate ourselves selflessly to our mission, grow in the love of God & be instruments to the poor and needy. We must pray & continue to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

After the Communion Prayers, Mr Lucas Williams presented the newly appointed President of the National Council, Mr Paul Foo to the Archbishop. Archbishop presented him with the symbols, in what is important in his new role. The Bible – the good news, A candle – the Light of Christ, A loaf of bread – symbols of food & the struggles of some people and The Rule of the Society.

Members of the National Council joined Mr Paul Foo in partaking the Vincentian pledge. New members were also invited to come forward. All present renewed their Vincentian pledge. The new members were presented with badges & the rule books. There were 15 Long Service Awards for those who have served the society for 25 years and 2 awards for those who have served for 50years.

There was a dinner at the Swatow Restaurant in Toa Payoh after the mass. There were about 40 tables. There was music & entertainment & a lucky draw.

Prayer is a dialogue of love with our God.  It should feed our charitable activity.

Ozanam is the main founder of the Society of Saint-Vincent de Paul, on 23 April 1833, in Paris.  He providentially realized his dream of "embracing the whole world in a network of charity."  SSVP is today an universal brotherhood, with a charitable, social and humanitarian vocation.

Hence all Vincentians you are encouraged to attend Mass on Friday 9 September 2011, the Feast Day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam.

From the time of his first challenge to live what he preached, Ozanam tried always to link the life of thought to a life of Christian action, and to help others do likewise.  He wished to know his faith well and to live it fully.  In his work, in his family life, in his personal life, Ozanam was, and still remains, an exceptional model of a lay Christian life well-lived.

Throughout his life, Ozanam's simple hope was to "become better--to do a little good." 

One of his inspiring quotes is:   "Charity must never look back, but always ahead, for the number of its past benefits is always quite small, as the present and future miseries it should alleviate are infinite".

We are all encouraged to attend Mass and include prayers

• For grace to enable us to follow the fine examples set by Ozanam so that we too can live a Christian life well-lived daily.
• If it is the Lord’s will that the Church should honor Ozanam as a saint, we ask the Lord to show by miracles how pleasing he was in His sight.
• For the intentions of the Society, our personal intentions as Vincentians and Friends in Need

Thank You
God Bless

Florence Tan
Honorary General Secretary

An article on the SSVP Induction retreat: Serviens in spe: To serve in hope

Written by Jasmine Seto, a Vincentian from OLPS Conference

The inaugural St. Vincent de Paul Induction Retreat conducted by SSVP, National Council of Singapore was held in the House of God, at Church of St. Ignatius, on 20 August 2011 (Saturday).

This retreat gathered new members of this Ministry from all Parishes in Singapore; amongst which were senior members who came to facilitate and share their experiences of serving in the Ministry.

The Retreat Master, Fr. Ravi Michael S.J. shared what it means to be a disciple of God, to have faith and be obedient to His Will. That we have been given free gifts from He who loves us, our gifts to others should also be free and given in ways that can be easily received by the receivers. 

Fr. Ravi led us in our reflection and understanding of the calling to become a Vincentian. As we journey along, difficult decisions that we would sometimes need to make for each unique situation is just like how a thread is part of a garment. It is important that we be receptive to God’s guidance and to trust that He would provide. Fr. Ravi shared Genesis 18: 1-15, the passage where the Lord came to Abraham and told him and his wife Sarah that they, though already advanced in age, would have a son; a hope that they would not have thought possible to materialize. This implies that if we put our trust in Him and not be afraid, all things are possible.

Then in smaller groups, we shared our thoughts on the passages that were discussed and what we felt serving in this Ministry means to us. This was a rare opportunity where new and senior members could come together to do a little sharing of the experiences that have given our lives their different colors.    

Through this retreat, new members were also guided to understand better the origin, mission and operation of SSVP, and to discern a Ministry from a job. It was our honor to have the senior Vincentians share the experiences that they had as young Vincentians, how they have grown with their Conferences, the unique bonds that formed, as well as cases that mean something special to them.

The retreat was an enriching occasion put together by the efforts of many. As we embark on this journey of faith, friendship and common mission, let us not forget the spark that ignited our common involvement in this Ministry of God.

On July 7th, our CGI President, Bro Michael Thio presented a global view of the activities of the Society which today present in 147 countries, with over 750,000 members, about 1.3 million volunteers and serving over 25 million poor and needy.

The talk consisted of 4 parts:

Part 1 - Council General International (CGI) global structure, functions and operations

Part 2 - SSVP's charitable and humanitarian activities globally (through assistance from CGI's Commision for International and Development)

Part 3 - SSVP's strategic goals

Part 4 - Q&A

Click below for Bro Michael Thio's presentation slides.

The Mid-Year Retreat 2011 for the Vincentian in Singapore was held on the 26th June 2011 at The Catholic Spirituality Centre. We are blessed to have Fr Michael McGuire SSC as out Retreat Master. In this special mid-year retreat, Fr McGuire surely touched our Vincentian Spirit with his talks on:

1. The Call of Jesus in SSVP Retreat-Reflection
2. Listening to inner Desire to Serve
3. Opening up the experience of a "Forgiven Heart" in SSVP
4. Leading to profound self-acceptance
5. Leading to Readiness to love God's poor

Click pictures below to open / download Fr Michael McGuire's Slides in pdf format

Retreat Master's Background:

Fr Michael McGuire was born in Ireland on 10th of June 1944. His first assignment in Asia was in The Phillipines, started on the year 1972. In 1980 he got his Master Degree in Psychology and Psychoterapy with specialization in Vocational Growth. in the year 1987 he went back to the Phillipines to continue his Formation Works and Lay Mission Program in The Our Lady of Peace Guidance Center, Vocational Councseling and Therapy.

In the year 2000, he got his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology from The University of Santo Tomas.

He has a very meaningful experience in Seminars and Workshop with missionaries in Ireland, U.S.A, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Phillipines, Malaysia, Singapore and Myanmar. Other experiences covers Seminars on Organizational Development, and Facilitating workshop on Organizational Development at The Department of Finace.