Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Programs

Eight of our conferences participated in the Thanksgiving dinner basket program sponsored by the Central Council, distributing a total of 531. Nine conferences participated in the Christmas dinner program, ordering 700 dinners. All dinners are completely paid for by the Central Council, with profits generated by the Society's thrift stores.

Unity Amidst Diversity

Shortly after the founding of the Society in Paris, the original "Conference of Charity" grew far too large to make the weekly meetings manageable. Hundreds of Vincentians were meeting, and it became increasingly difficult to keep the personal nature of the Society intact. Thus, a proposal was made to divide the group. Although this proposal met with a lot of disagreement, it was eventually voted to break into smaller conferences, while keeping links to the other Conferences through periodic meetings. Thus the first district was born, and a mechanism for spreading the Society into other areas was developed.

Today, with the Society approaching 1 million members, it might be difficult to keep in mind that we are one Society. But it's important that we not let our vision shrink to the limits of our own parish. Just as the Church is established in all parts of the world, so our Society is present at all points of the compass. We are one Society, with a common goal: to grow in holiness through service to the poor. And we further that goal by helping other Conferences through twinning, by participating in District and Archdiocesan activities, and by accepting leadership roles within our Conferences and Councils.

Next District Meeting

The next District meeting will be held on February 11, 2001 at St. Thecla's in Pembroke. St. Thecla's is located on Rt. 53 near the junction with Rt. 139. Mass will be at 9:00 am, and breakfast and meeting will follow at the Knights of Columbus hall on Rt. 53 in Pembroke.

During our meeting we will have small group discussions about some aspects of the newly released National Five-Year Strategic Plan. Members will have the opportunity to discuss the way the plan fits with current practice in their conference, and how ideas in the plan can help them to grow in their commitment to growth in holiness through service to the poor.

Also at this meeting, we will hold a secret collection, with the proceeds being donated to the Society in the country of El Salvador, where an earthquake has recently devastated areas around the capital city of San Salvador, with the damage centered on the neighborhood of Santa Tecla (St. Thecla in Spanish).

District Retreat in April

A day retreat for the Vincentians in the Brockton District will be held at the Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The date for the retreat is April 27, from 10 am to 3 pm. Details for the day are still being worked out, and recommendations for conference topics are welcome. The cost for the day will be $20.00. Spouses or other adult family members are welcome to attend the retreat.

Please let your Conference president know if you'll be attending, and give your retreat fee to your Treasurer, so that each Conference can send one check to me so that I can forward our total to the Miramar Center.