Sacramentum Caritatis

 

The Diocese of Sacramento has published its strategic plan for the diocese and, with it, a call to action to Catholics in Northern California.  Read the strategic plan here.

Of particular interest for Vincentians is the renewed focus on charity and social justice, with the foundation of both being Jesus Christ in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist.  In the document, this concept is called, Sacramentum Caritatis - The Sacrament of Charity.

Two excerpts from the strategic plan's discussion under Sacramentum Caritatas explain the concept:

The Sacrifice of the Mass is where the charity of the Church begins.

***
In the Diocese of Sacramento, we will make explicit the relationship between the Eucharistic mystery of the Mass and our commitment to serve society with the truth and beauty of the Gospel.

Stations of the Cross

Below are a number of links to help with understanding and praying the Stations of the Cross.

http://www.usccb.org/nab/stations.htm (John Paul II, from 1991)

http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/station.php (Catholic on line)

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/Stations-with-Mary.pdf (meditations based on perspective of Mary)

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/stations-how.html (guide to how to pray Stations of the Cross)

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/xstations/index.html (about Stations of the Cross)

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Stations/face.htm (Mother Angelica, EWTN)

Homeless Count

(from Yolo County press release) The Yolo County Homeless & Poverty Action Coalition (HPAC) is conducting a point-in-time street count of the homeless on Jan. 29, 2009. The count will occur from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and will include a survey component. The count is a collaborative effort of community volunteers, including homeless and formerly homeless individuals, and HPAC member and partner agencies.

Full story (click here)

Related News Story (click here)

More

READ: Report by Yolo County Homeless Coordinator on Homeless Services and 10-year
Plan to End Homelessness

Vatican on You Tube

Vatican on You Tube has been added to our list of resources.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

New Year's Day, the octave of Christmas, marks the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.



Here is an excerpt of a homily:

Yet in the midst of all of this, Mary and Joseph are the happiest people to walk the face of this earth. Here in Bethlehem they are teaching us the amazing paradox that it is only when we lose ourselves in the love and service of Jesus do we find happiness. Happiness that this world can never give and no one can take from us. But how can we lose ourselves in the love and service of Jesus? Jesus has made it very simple, “Whatever you do for one of these least brethren you do for me.”

The Gospel reading (below) tells how Mary "treasured these things in her heart."

Gospel
Lk 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

SVdP Nativity Program

Throughout the United States, the St. Vincent de Paul Society conferences, including OLG Conference, are participating in an effort to bring the true Christmas message to those we visit. (Click photo for more information.)

Feast of St. Nicholas

Prayer to St. Nicholas

Loving God, we thank you for
the example of St Nicholas,
who fed the hungry,
brought hope to the imprisoned,
gave comfort to the lost,
and taught the truth to all.

May we strive to imitate him
by putting you first in all we do.



Give us the courage, love and strength
of St Nicholas, so that, like him,
we may serve you through loving
our brothers and sisters. Amen.

--Amy Welborn

Catholic Catechism

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a basic resource for Catholics, is available on line. The link has been added to our Catholic web library
(side bar, below), or click the photo.

Encountering Christ in the Poor

For Vincent, true holiness meant that all of his decisions, plans, struggles, and actions had to revolve around the person of Jesus Christ. His own relationship with Jesus Christ developed in three stages. During his boyhood, his parents passed on their convictions about Jesus. Vincent believed, but not enough to move mountains. The second stage occurred in his twenties. A string of personal defeats and some sound spiritual direction caused Vincent to look deeply into himself. In was known only to Vincent and God, Vincent’s encounter with Jesus moved him to rearrange the map of his life. Finally, as he became more involved in ministering to the poor, Vincent discovered Jesus Christ in the faces of these humble souls. Vincent’s live then revolved around the person of Jesus, whom he encountered in the poor, sick and homeless people. (McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.41-42)

Source: Vincentian Reflections

St. Catherine Laboure & the "Miraculous Medal"

Above, St. Catherine Laboure and the "Miraculous Medal" (click photos)

Prayer to St. Catherine Laboure

Lord, may we who honour St. Catherine,
recognize at all times Your image in the needy, so that,
as we serve them in simplicity of heart,
we may be, in the world, true witnesses of Your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For more information about the "Miraculous Medal" and St. Catherine Laboure, click here.

“I do not know how to find words for what I experienced and perceived, or for the beauty and the splendor of those magnificent rays (coming from the hands of the Blessed Virgin). Mary told me, “They are the symbol of the graces which I shed on those who ask me for them. Have a medal struck according to this model; all those who wear it, especially if they wear it around the neck, will receive great graces, and these graces will be abundant for those who wear it with confidence.” (From St. Catherine Laboure’s account of the apparitions, November 27,1830)

Homelessness: the Cry of the Poor

On Sunday (June 29) there was a second meeting for new parish ministries. A concern for the homeless was identified as a parish concern and possible new ministry. Persons interested in working on a parish ministry for the homeless have expanded the work group. They are: Carolyn Tagupa (co-chair), Clo Holland (co-chair), Michelle Panos (coordinator), John Archuleta, Paul Starkey, Torry Powers, and Carl Ponciano. If you are interested, you may join the group. The group is looking into the issue of homelessness and, as a project of OLG SVDP, we will prepare a report about the needs of the homeless in the West Sacramento area for the parish council. The report will be presented to the parish council at the August 5 meeting.

The work group is meeting on July 6, after the 10:30 a.m. mass, at the Rectory to discuss issues and put together the report. If you want to participate in the working group, or if you just want to attend the discussion, let Carolyn Tagupa know.

At the new ministries meeting, Sr. Pearl talked about our “mission” as Catholics given at baptism: we are called, like Christ, to be priests, prophets, and kings (shepherds).

• When we were baptized, we were also anointed and given a participation in these three offices of Christ — priest, prophet and king. As the celebrant anointed us with Sacred Chrism, he prayed: "As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life" (Ritual, no. 98). And the Catechism echoes this reality in these words: "The whole People of God participates in these three offices of Christ and bears the responsibilities for mission and service that flow from them" (no. 783). http://www.catholicherald.com/loverde/2004homilies/homily0205.htm

Each of these roles has several aspects. We were asked to think about the new proposed ministries from the perspective of our “mission” at baptism. From my notes, here is a short summary. As Catholics by baptism we have this mission:

• Priest. The priest mediates between God and His people; the priest also mediates between members of the Body of Christ, helping to create community. In the role of priest, we spread the Word of God. Do we seek to form community?

• Prophet. The prophet is witness to the Truth; and because we must be that kind of witness, we are called to be the prophet who calls to account “the powers that be.” It is said that the prophet “afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted.” Are we witnesses to the truth?

• King. This may be thought of as the role of shepherd. The shepherd-king guides the sheep; protects them. The shepherd gathers the flock, gathers the lost. Are we shepherds, or are we too busy?

Concerning the homeless, certainly we are called as priests to recognize the homeless as a community and part of our community, although they are often outside the doors. As shepherds, we know that we need to gather the homeless, to protect them. The homeless are our modern day “lost sheep.” As prophets, we know in our hearts that homelessness is disorder. It is a symptom of a society that has turned its back on the least fortunate. To the extent the homeless are ignored and shunned, we must be prophets. In a very real sense, the homeless are prophets to us, to afflict us in our comfort.

As Vincentians, we are called to meet Christ in the poor. In the homeless, we may find that unexpected meeting.

1.2 The Vincentian Vocation (from the Rule)

The vocation of the Society's members, who are called Vincentians, is to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment through person-to-person contact. Vincentians serve in hope.

Commentary. Belonging to a Conference is a vocation in itself: a vocation of personal contact with Christ in the Poor. The predominant feature of this contact must always be compassion and the will to free people from their burdens: an effort to build the coming Kingdom. Personal contact with the suffering is the most obvious distinctive characteristic of the Vincentian ministry. We bring unconditional love to the poor and seek to love in the way Jesus loved, because "the first vocation of the Christian is to follow Jesus” (CCC2232 )."Vincentians serve in hope". What air is to the lungs, so is hope to the human spirit. We have a real hope that our work will make a difference, both in the lives of those we visit and in a mysterious way, in the world at large. If we go through difficulties, we remember that "(hope) affords us joy even under trial" (CCC1820).

The Pauline Year

June 29 marks the start of the Pauline Year, a celebration of the life and works of St. Paul. For more information, click on the photos.

For more information and to view a video about St. Paul, click here.

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - Reflection

(from Vincentian Reflections, SVDP USA)

THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

May 30, 2008

Gospel: (1John 4:7-16)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.

Reflection:

The human heart is a symbol for the life, love and well-being of an individual. The heart therefore as a symbol tries to capture God’s tremendous love for us, God’s constant care, and the security we find in resting against God’s heart in prayer. The Sacred Heart tells us “not that we love God, but that he loves us.”

Vincentian Reflection:
Frederic wrote: “Love possesses something of the divine nature, which gives itself without diminishing, which shares itself without division, which multiplies itself, which is present in many places at once, and whose intensity is increased in the measure that it gains in extension. In your wife you will first love God…You will draw comfort from her tenderness on bad days, you will find courage in her example in perilous times, you will be her guardian angel, she will be yours.” (Ramson, Praying with Frederic, p.63)

Discussion: (Share your thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence.)

Frederic found his vocation, his primary commitment in life, in marriage where he found the love of God. How have you found the love of God reflected to you?

Closing Prayer: (Together)

Lord Jesus, we dedicate and consecrate to Your divine Person and to Your Sacred Heart this our Conference (Council) and all the the members who compose it, the poor whom we visit in Your name, the youth and children to whom we respond…and all the works we have undertaken in various places for Your Glory… inflame us with that fire which from the depths of Your Heart Thou desire to see burning more and more each day, in order that, filled with the tenderness of Your Heart…we may love and help our neighbor. Give us the grace to live our vocation, loving our spouse, family and others in the example of Frederic and Amelie.

Amen

Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

May 30 this year marks the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This feast day is prominent on the Vincentian Calendar.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been solemnly consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus since February 5, 1872. An Act of Consecration was drawn up at the request of the Society in 1872, and this act of consecration is renewed annually by all units of the Society.

Click image for prayers. Click for additional prayer site. An interesting article.

Charity Run - September 27

September 27 marks the first annual nation-wide Vincentian charity run/walk. Learn more, click the link.

http://www.svdpfriendsofthepoorwalk.org/

Test Your Vincentian Knowledge

Take this informative, quick "test" to learn key Vincentian principles.

http://www.ozanet.org/ssvpcgi/ssvpcgi3.15_en.asp

Vincentian Feast Days

Q. What are the special feast days of the Society? (Source: http://www.svdpusa.org/AbouttheSociety/FAQs/tabid/67/Default.aspx)

Date Event

1/4 St. Elizabeth Ann (Bayley) Seton was born in New York on August 28, 1774 and was brought up in the Episcopalian faith. She married William Seton, bore five children, and was widowed on December 27, 1803. After overcoming many obstacles, she converted to the Catholic faith on March 14, 1805. She dedicated her life to works of charity and education and founded the community of the Sisters of Charity in 1809. Elizabeth died in Emmitsburg, Maryland on January 4, 1821. Part of her community was united with the Daughters of Charity in Paris in 1850, and the others remained the Sisters of Charity in the US. Elizabeth Seton was canonized as the first American saint in 1975.

2/7 Blessed Rosalie Rendu was born at Confort, France on September 9, 1786. She entered the Daughters of Charity on May 25, 1802, just after the Community was reestablished in France following the French Revolution. Her zeal for the poor drove her to establish the means to educate poor children, to care for infants, to support the elderly unable to care for themselves, and to supervise young working girls. One of her disciples in her mission of service was Frederic Ozanam, founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. After fifty years of dedicated service to the poor in the Mouffetard district in Paris, she died on February 7, 1856. Pope John Paul II beatified Sr. Rosalie in 2003.

3/15 St. Louise de Marillac was born August 12, 1591. She married Antoine LeGras on February 5, 1613, had a son named Michel, and was widowed when Antoine died on December 21, 1625. St. Vincent de Paul then became her spiritual director, and under his guidance she became very active in caring for the poor and in visiting the Confraternities of Charity. With Vincent, Louise co-founded the Daughters of Charity on November 29, 1633. She died March 15, 1660, and was canonized in 1934. In 1960, Pope John XXIII proclaimed her the patron saint of all Christian social workers.

April (Last Sunday) Ozanam Sunday: Frederic Ozanam was born on April 23, 1813 in Milan, Italy. On April 23, 1833 Frederic and six companions founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Also, St. Vincent de Paul was born on April 24, 1581. To commemorate these events the Society in the United States celebrates the last Sunday of April as Ozanam Sunday.

Sacred Heart (Friday following second Sunday after Pentecost) Feast of the Sacred Heart: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been solemnly consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus since February 5, 1872. An Act of Consecration was drawn up at the request of the Society in 1872, and this act of consecration is renewed annually by all units of the Society.

9/8 Blessed Frederic Ozanam was schooled in law, literature and philosophy and taught at the universities in Lyon and Paris. Challenged by a detractor of the faith to demonstrate the good he was doing socially in France, Frederic and six companions founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on April 23, 1833. On June 23, 1841 Frederic married Amelie Soulacroix, and their only child, Marie, was born in 1845. He succumbed to ill health and died on September 8, 1853. Pope John Paul II beatified Frederic Ozanam in Paris on August 22, 1997.

9/27 St. Vincent de Paul was born at Pouy, France on April 24, 1581. He was ordained a priest on September 23, 1600. Vincent devoted himself entirely to the alleviation of the sufferings of the poor, and to that purpose established the Confraternities of Charity, later known as the Ladies of Charity, in 1617. In 1625 he founded the Congregation of the Mission, his community of priests and brothers. With Louise de Marillac, he co-founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633. Vincent died in Paris on September 27, 1660 and was canonized in 1737. Pope Leo XIII declared him patron saint of all works of charity.

11/27 Feast of the Miraculous Medal The medal of the Immaculate Conception was manifested to Sister Catherine Laboure in the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France on November 27, 1830.

11/28 St. Catherine Laboure was born May 2, 1806 in Fain-les-Moutiers, France. When she was nine years old, her mother died and she looked to the Blessed Virgin Mary to be her mother. She entered the Daughters of Charity on April 21, 1830. While Catherine was still a novice, the Virgin Mary appeared to her and asked her to have a medal struck in her honor. Because of the many miracles that resulted from devotion to it, it became known as the “Miraculous Medal.” Catherine Laboure was canonized in 1947.

12/8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Blessed Frederic Ozanam had a great devotion to Mary and declared Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception the patroness of the Society.

Web Sites

Here are some additional web sites, for information and to explore:

International Council www.ozanet.org

Vincentian Studies Institute http://vsi.depaul.edu/

Congregation of the Mission www.vincentian.org

Daughters of Charity www.daughters-of-charity.org

Ladies of Charity www.aic-international.org

Vincentian Marian Youth www.vmy.us

Vincentian Center (St. John’s Univ.) www.vincenter.org

Vincentian Service Corps www.vscorps.org

History of Vincentians www.svdpvictoria.com (under construction)

Voice of the Poor www.voiceofthepoor.org

Vincentian Links

A kind reader sent these links for information:

Vincentian Family News http://www.famvin.org

Vincentian Encyclopedia http://www.famvin.org/wiki

Congregation of the Mission International http://www.cmglobal.org