1. What keeps your heart afire? Christ in your life! Fr. Gerry Kelly Claudia Pieske Jeanne M. Harper

2. 2 Serving in Hope The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic organization of lay persons founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam and his companions. Placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul, the Society derives its inspiration from his thinking and work. It seeks, in a spirit of justice and charity and by person-to-person involvement of its members, to help those who are suffering. Rule Chapter I.1

3. ANGELS can fly…. Because they take themselves LIGHTLY! anon

4. 4 Serving the poor is an opportunity to encounter the suffering Christ – to see his face in them – to make the love of God a reality in their lives

5. 5 Seeing the miraculous in details of everyday life… Source: Gary Eckstein, Community Care Resources, Inc. v4, p 5

6. 6 Vincentians seek their holiness in the service of the poor - the poor are our reason for existence!

7. 7 SPIES+F Affects of Stress and Change: mind, body & spirit Social Physical Intellectual Emotional Spiritual Financial

8. 8 The Fire and the Light of St. Vincent’s and Blessed Frederic’s charism is lived on in our actions – by serving the poor person- to-person showing respect for the dignity and integrity of the poor as we serve in charity and justice.

9. 9 Ways of inspiring ourselves to be all that the father asks of us… Fast, Eat, Sleep & Live healthy Retreats, daily mass, sacraments Music Meditation Prayerful readings Conference mtgs Other….

10. Bl. Frederic’s deepest desire to set his heart afire was to “Embrace the whole world in a network of charity”

11. 11 EXPERIENCE: “It is necessary to give oneself to God…in order to serve the poor” SVdP “We must begin by establishing the kingdom of God in OURSELVES and ONLY then in others..tend to our interior life..if we fail to do that, we miss everything!” SVdP

12. 12 Faith: Fire in our Hearts Comes from loving openly the Christ in others so that it can take hold in own heart!

13. 13 Without the detachment and humility which empties us of Self We cannot truly live in Christ nor can Christ act in us. It is in the empty of self that Christ not only dwells, but acts and bears fruit!

14. Practical Wisdom Three Precepts:

15. Purity of intention and singleness of purpose It is not enough for me to love God, if my neighbor does not love God. Action – firm and invariable concerning the goal, gentle and flexible concerning the means

16. 16 Spirit and Mystery of Charity Let us be committed and keep our hands to the plow.

17. 17 Firm but flexible Full of vital energy Strong and rich by open desire for communion with all Let sunlight of divine kindness melt the steel plated armour of self-love

18. 18 The poor will disturb our consciences… It is THEY who can light a fire which does not go out!

19. 19 Our doctrine is… silently offering the Bread of the poor

20. Blessed Frederic Sons and daughters of St Vincent de Paul, let us learn of him to forget ourselves, to devote ourselves to the service of God and the good of men. Let us learn of him that holy preference which shows most love to those who suffer most.

21. On your Vincentian Journey to Holiness be an “Evangelizer of the poor” – be about bringing the Good news to the poor

22. 22

23. 23 Let us pray together: How blest are the poor in spirit; the reign of God is theirs. Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled. Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land. Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs. Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God.

24. 24 Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God. Blest are those persecuted for holiness sake; the reign of God is theirs. Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven; they persecuted the prophets before you in the very same way.

25. 25 Thank you!