For my university-level English 102 class, we dove into the concepts of community, the impact community has on the world, and how community looks very different than it did before media or any sort of technology. We analyzed concepts like social connection and isolation and how we see this taking place in our own lives. After this, we ended our term with an essay about community by selecting a community we are a part of, identifying a problem, and presenting a solution or call to action to address this problem. With this in mind, I selected something I know very well—St. Vincent de Paul and something called intergenerational leadership. It was written for academic purposes, so yes, it had a word requirement and certain sources I needed to include, meaning this is quite a lengthy essay, but I hope you find some sort of value in it. I have changed the formatting slightly, making it a little less formal and hopefully a quicker read if needed, but the content remains the same. Anyway, if you wish, scroll to read the essay.
Warmest Regards,
Zoie, ELT Vice-President
When one thinks of community, an image of people may come to mind, a group of people who believe the same things and have the same values and morals. While this is true, there are also communities struggling, some who are barely breathing and are in desperate need of revival or some sort of spark, and even more so, people to carry on the legacy of that community. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a 193-year-old Catholic nonprofit that began in Paris, France, by a group of university-aged students led by a man named Frédéric Ozanam, who is in the process of becoming a Saint recognized by the Catholic Church. This non-profit has spread to 150 other countries, including the United States, and has been functioning for 180 years since the first meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1845. It currently has over 80,000 members and is operating in all 50 states (n.d.). St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit that helps with a wide range of needs to individuals and families in need, including rent and utility assistance, food assistance, diapers and formula, pharmaceutical needs, and re-entry programs. Really, no act of charity is foreign to the Society, meaning if there is a way to help an individual or family in need, members of St. Vincent de Paul, known as Vincentians, will do their absolute best to serve their communities.
So, where does St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) fit within the community, and how is it applicable to this concept? Well, if one were to look at the demographics of SVdP, one would conclude that many members are retired and at least 60 years old, and that youth and young adults are far and few between, especially given that SVdP has over 80,000 members. SVdP, once started by university-aged students, is now primarily composed of senior members, meaning membership and, eventually, the overall impact of SVdP will dwindle. While many senior members are open to youth and young adult involvement, there is a need for a spark or a mindset shift. Without the intention to change and improve this community of friends growing in spirituality while serving those in their communities, there will be even more isolation, disconnection, and burnout amongst members. Therefore, something called intergenerational collaboration, and a co-designer mentality will need to transpire and be learned by current and future members.
First, a little background on the topic. My involvement with SVdP began when I was five years old and has been a part of my life ever since. I grew up around Vincentians of all ages, and many of them are like extended family. I won the Young Vincentian Excellence Award in 2024 and am now honored to be the vice-president of the SVdP USA YYAEL Committee, Emerging Leaders Team. With these experiences, I learned how to serve others and the importance of intergenerational collaboration: “Youth-adult partnerships are transformative collaborations that go far beyond traditional mentorship. These partnerships create environments where young people are seen as capable, creative, and critical contributors to solving community problems,” (Bascom & Sullivan, 2024). Without the guidance of senior members, certain best practices and wisdom would be lost, but at the same time, younger members look with fresh eyes and help maintain a youthful spirit.
At St. Vincent de Paul, volunteers are told to focus on the relationship with those they serve, and this is true for young members as well as for how to encourage and implement intergenerational collaboration. When one thinks about it, there are many opportunities for mentorship and growth on both ends—the senior members and the youth members. Because the nonprofit has servant-leadership roles, there are numerous opportunities for mentorship. Additionally, since many of the members are retired, they have had career experience and are resources for young members in that regard as well. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office (2023), “Members of these connected communities are more likely to recommend job and educational opportunities to one another, collaborate on ideas for innovation, build partnerships for local businesses, and directly advance economic progress in their communities.” Thus, building connections across all age groups provides opportunities for career knowledge and experience to be shared, allowing intergenerational collaboration to take root.
To make these collaborations tangible, senior and youth members can co-lead projects, such as organizing food drives or community events, allowing each generation to contribute their distinct strengths. Skill-sharing at meetings and service projects can be established in which senior members teach practical skills about serving others and certain community resources or share their professional experiences, while younger members introduce new approaches to outreach or community needs. Pairing senior and youth members in mentorship teams, with the opportunity for reverse mentorship, ensures learning flows both ways. Joint service projects that allow senior members to experience the helpful energy of youth and young adults and build a sense of coming together can make a real difference in the lives of those served, while also building understanding and respect within the nonprofit.
According to Volpe (2022), “As social creatures, humans need interpersonal contact to survive. These connections range from your inner circle of family and close friends to the outer rungs of your social network — other pet parents at the dog park, for example — and it’s important to have this variety. ‘To try and count on one person to fill all of your emotional and psychological needs is not a good thing,’ says Gillian Sandstrom, a senior lecturer in the psychology of kindness at the University of Sussex. ‘There’s research showing that you thrive more when you have lots of people to fill up various emotional needs.’ Becoming a member of communities helps build this social diversity” (par. 2). When both senior and young members work together in these intentional ways, they can envision and initiate collaboration that is truly intergenerational and create a more diverse and welcoming culture.
Additionally, serving others and giving back are ways to minimize disconnection and grow relationships. This is central to the mission of St. Vincent de Paul, which brings people together to serve those in need and grow in friendship along the way. For example, SVdP service projects, such as organizing local food drives, filling care packages for families facing hardship, and visiting neighbors in their homes, have offered real opportunities for members of all ages to connect not only with those they help, but also with each other. Through these shared experiences of service, members strengthen their sense of community and understanding. It allows them to see others as humans and grow more deeply in harmony with one another. When one begins to recognize the needs of others rather than just their own, one can expand their realities and see beyond themselves, allowing them to branch out and explore the unknown. Khan (2019) has a point in saying, “This lack of connection to those who are truly in our community means that people are no longer humanized. You can never humanize a person on the internet like you can your next-door neighbor” (par. 3). Serving others is just one way to build relationships and build fruitful communities.
Finally, to start fostering intergenerational collaboration within SVdP, members should consider several practical next steps. First, one can initiate mentorship pairings that match senior and younger members, enabling two-way learning and support on specific projects or regular activities like the monthly meetings. Second, it would be a good idea to organize idea-sharing sessions during meetings or events, where members of all ages come together to brainstorm solutions and share perspectives on the non-profit’s current challenges. Changing the mindset from a “yes, but” to a “yes, and” will encourage further ideas rather than shutting down young members with the negative spin of “yes, but” in replies. Finally, to encourage a co-designer mentality when doing service projects, intentionally forming teams that include both senior and youth members, is beneficial as everyone can take on meaningful roles and benefit from that shared experience.
By taking these immediate actions, SVdP can begin to revitalize its legacy and ensure its community remains vibrant and connected across generations. Members of all ages must be intentional and flexible in this process to effective intergeneration collaboration and embodying the co-designer mentality. To end with one word of encouragement from the Surgeon General’s Office (2023):
Each of us can start now, in our own lives, by strengthening our connections and relationships. Our individual relationships are an untapped resource—a source of healing hiding in plain sight. They can help us live healthier, more productive, and more fulfilled lives. Answer that phone call from a friend. Make time to share a meal. Listen without the distraction of your phone. Perform an act of service. Express yourself authentically. The keys to human connection are simple, but extraordinarily powerful. (p. 5)
Simple actions of inclusion and having a mindset of intergenerational collaboration allow for multiple generations of outlooks to unite and create something innovative while still allowing the wisdom of those with experience and those who are energized to come together and flourish, building something that respects and values both perspectives.
On Sunday, we celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In fact, the Church required that we celebrate this Marian solemnity. Every year, but especially this Jubilee Year, Mary is a sign of hope for us. She is the Morning Star which points us to hope in the Resurrection. Our fellow Vincentian, St. Pope John Paul II, proclaimed, “Hope rises in time from all places subject to death–hope is its counterweight. The dying world unveils its life again in hope.” Mary, who being human should have been subject to death, reveals to us our greatest hope. Hope in the resurrection and union with God in Heaven. This hope must permeate our lives, especially our service.
In this week’s Frédéric’s 5 titled “Hope in Action: Serving the Poor Amid America’s Growing Housing and Homelessness Crisis”, John Berry reminded us that “service, when rooted in love, is never a one-way street. As we accompany our neighbors facing homelessness, our own spirituality deepens. It becomes less about charity and more about solidarity, a shared journey toward wholeness.” We all have encountered brokenness and death in this world whether that is in our own families, in our friends, or in those we serve. Death itself is a separation of the body from the soul. We were made for unity.
So, we celebrate with hope the joy of Mary’s Assumption, her total life with God. Additionally, we should encounter our neighbors in need with a deep hope and prayer that we together will find peace, joy and unity in Heaven with the Lord. The ultimate end of our service and friendship is our faith, our relationship with Christ and His Body.
How do I let hope inform my service?
Do I see our neighbors in need as a fellow person on the journey towards wholeness?
Prayer Challenge: Pray a decade of the rosary for a specific person daily.
Recap Video of NCR! Thank you, Tyler for putting this together!
YYAEL Committee and Emerging Leaders Team members, Andre, Tyler, and I, as well as our leader, Linda, attended and presented at the North Central Region Meeting 2025. We are all so grateful to Susan Wiland, North Central Region RVP, for her kindness and willingness to involve us as presenters and attendees in the meeting. Thank you to all those for welcoming and including us at your North Central Regional Meeting, especially Wayne, Ed, Sue, and Mary! Your efforts and dedication made for a wonderful meeting.
We had the honor of taking photos for the Meeting and the QR code to view the photos is in the recap video!
Wednesday, June 11
Andre and Tyler arrived early Wednesday morning, so we were able to prepare for our Immersion Fest, which was planned for June 25-28. Susan kindly invited us to have dinner (lunch) with her, so we enjoyed a nice meal and conversation. Thank you, Susan, for taking the time to chat with us!
After some more planning and discussion for the Immersion Fest, shipping some YYAEL merch and supplies for the Southeast Regional meeting, and exploring the Nature Reserve by our hotel, we boarded a bus to watch the Minnesota Twins versus the Texas Rangers. Andre brought baseball gloves for him and Tyler, in hopes of catching a baseball, but that did not happen–maybe a different time! Although we were afraid of it raining, it held off and it made for a very comfortable temperature and enjoyable time. Afterwards, we stopped and picked up a few snacks for the entire weekend and then headed for bed.
Dinner with SusanShipping YYAEL SuppliesGrowing in Friendship!
Thursday, June 12
Beginning with the Rosary, it set a powerful and uplifting tone for the day. We set-up our table and had some wonderful conversations with Vincentians. The socks, sunglasses, and stickers were a success–we did not bring any back with us!
At 10:30, Michael Acaldo started his keynote: How We are Called to Be a Beacon of Light. He talked about an amazing and incredible Vincentian named Rosie, who truly embodied Vincentian virtues and being a beacon of light to those he served and encountered.
After lunch, we heard from Connor Flanagan and his inspiring encounters that made him the person he is today. His main message was impactful: the joy of the Lord is our strength, we find this joy in the gifts and talents God gives us, and we must tap into them.
Andre said this about his favorite workshop, “My favorite workshop from the weekend was either Just Ask 2.0 or the Spiritual Retreat led by Connor Flanagan. I liked both of them because they included humor and stories, and they related to me in some way. I have played both football and basketball and with Connor’s stories, I was able to relate to these experiences and realize it is more than a sport; God can work in many ways.”
Tim Williams, Reverend Larry Syner, and Mary Beth Fuller all discussed the dignity of the human person along with how our Catholic Social Teachings go hand and hand with St. Vincent de Paul. Mary Beth Fuller emphasized the significance of mental health ministry and how we, as Vincentians, can be more aware of this.
Once these amazing and informative workshops concluded, we attended the Host City Event at the Mall of America. We were able to explore and visit some exciting stores. We captured many great bingo memories and enjoyed wonderful stories from fellow Vincentians. After a short recap video and hunt for a stapler, we slept awaiting Friday, our presenting day.
Table PrepConnor Flanagan
Friday, June 13
Once again starting our day off with Rosary, we centered ourselves before our presentation: Perspectives on Youth and Young Adults in SVdP. Thank you to all who attended our workshop and your interest in promoting Youth and Young Adults in the Society! For YYA to flourish at its fullest, committed Conference Coaches are needed; your support and flexibility are essential.
YYAEL Polos with Tim!
The rest of Friday was filled with descriptive and impactful workshops; we attended the other two Youth and Young Adult focused workshops where we heard some impressive dedication and zeal.
It was then time for Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary. We all rode on buses to the stunning place of worship. It was so great to talk with fellow Vincentians on the bus ride–it is special to hear about everyone’s unique and moving stories and how they became a Vincentian and why. Tyler, Andre and I had the honor of being gift bearers and when we walked around the Basilica, we saw a sign indicating SVdP Ministries had been there since 1988.
At St. Mary’s Basilica Gift Bearers
Once Mass concluded, we rode the bus on a mini tour of Minneapolis and where their SVdP thrift stores are located. Arriving back at the hotel, we had a nice meal and even better conversation. Thank you to all who made this memorable night happen!
Saturday, June 14
After Rosary, we attended a general session titled The Offering of Letters: Advocating for an End to Hunger. Tyler, Andre, and I helped hand out the letters, specific to each state for Vincentians to write on and sign. After all the letters were collected, Deacon Don blessed the letters so that they could be sent in the mail afterwards.
Next, was Just Ask 2.0, a wonderful session done by Chris McCarthy. We all found this talk inspiring; Tyler captured our feelings well when he remarked, “Out of all the wonderful talks we listened to this weekend, the one that spoke to me most was Just Ask 2.0 by Christine McCarthy. This talk was really inspiring because it showed that just simply asking or making a request can have a huge impact. We often say that The Society is “the best kept secret of the church” but if we can get out there and be bold, incredible things can and will happen.”
The third speakers were Reverend Greg and Ed Koerner. They spoke about the amazing Success Through Twinning between SVdP in Minneapolis and Venezuela; their stories were heartfelt and truly embodied the significance of friendship and service to those in need.
After lunch and the raffle, where Tyler won a signed image of Brett Favre, we heard from Ralph Middlecamp and Letters from a Young Frédéric Ozanam. We were pleasantly surprised when Tim Williams appeared as Frédéric Ozanam to help read “his” letters to various friends and family.
Susan Wiland then ended the meeting with an eloquent send off with reminders and well-wishes.
We cannot wait to see you all next year, and we thank you again for your kindness and welcome!
Raffle Winner with Only Entering One Ticket!
Blessing of Letters“Frédéric Ozanam”Just Ask 2.0
Some final remarks on this meeting:
Andre reflected, “We are the beacon of hope, and we should always act out of love. There are a lot of ministries that can be brought back home to California. I really appreciated one of the vendors who collected religious artifacts and gave them out for free, and I would like to potentially bring that mission into my life at home. I selected a cross with the St. Benedict Medallion and a Jesus icon. As the Spiritual Advisor of ELT and my Youth Conference in California, this vendor motivated me to find new ways to engage and stay rooted in our essential element, spirituality.”
Tyler’s highlight from the meeting was this, “My biggest takeaway from this regional meeting was to see the person first. This message was covered very well by many of our keynote speakers. It urges us to see our neighbors as children of God, instead of seeing them as the affliction they’re going through whether it be poverty, mental illnesses, or anything else. It really goes back to our calling to see the Face of Christ in those we serve, and as Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25:40).”
Zoie noted, “Having presented at two other regional meetings before NCR, it was wonderful to be at my “home” region for our final regional presentation. I greatly enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces, and I could just feel the Vincentian friendship alive. The theme for this year’s meeting was motivating and one I will cherish. All the general sessions were moving and opened my eyes to novel concepts; I am looking forward to next year!”
Some of our favorite photos!
Letters from Frédéric Ozanam
We asked Vincentians at NCR to write a kind and positive message to all Youth and Young Adults. Here’s some of our favorites. 🤍
Linda and I attended and presented at the Midwest Region Meeting 2025. We are all grateful to Chuck Korte, Midwest Region RVP, for his joy and willingness to involve us as presenters and attendees at the meeting. We are also thankful for Barbara, our co-presenter and Conference Coach of St. Patrick Youth Conference in McEwen, Tennessee, who welcomed us at the airport and drove us to downtown Nashville for some great memories. Lastly, we want to express our gratitude to Ron, District Council President of Tennessee, for his exceptional organization that ensured everything ran smoothly, and his warm welcome.
Thank you to all those who contributed and made the Midwest meeting a success!
At the AirportRon and Barbara Met Rick from IA
Thursday, May 22
Linda and I arrived Thursday morning and were blessed to reconnect with Barbara, whom I met last year at the National Assembly; we cut onions together at the SVdP in Phoenix. The three of us traveled downtown Tennessee and heard some nice country music. Once we arrived back at the hotel, we all set up our tables with various materials—stickers, socks, sunglasses, and prayer cards, amongst other items. It was then time for our Social Gathering, where we met Rick, a Vincentian from Iowa, who had previously met our ELT Co-Spiritual Advisor, Sarah, as she connected with him by trying to start a University Conference. It was so great to meet him! We also met Bill from St. Louis, who is interested in starting a Youth Conference there. That night, I also had a Zoom meeting with Sarah and a Nominee for the Young Vincentian Excellence Award 2025. After that concluded, Linda and I hopped on our YYAEL Committee Zoom meeting. With that, Thursday came to a close, but our hearts were full, and we were eager for what joys the next day would hold.
Friday, May 23
After breakfast, Linda and I walked around the hotel’s boulevard, enjoying the sun before a day of workshops. Starting off with Regional Vice President Chuck Korte’s welcome, he reminded us of the importance of the Essential Elements, and that it is “okay to steal here, and by that, I mean to steal ideas. We are here to share common problems; we are here to share common solutions. Some of the best ideas I have ever gotten have come from Regional and National meetings, so please talk with your fellow Vincentians.” This message set the tone for the day, filling us with inspiration and motivation to build friendships and soak in all the incredible information and experience, not only the presenters shared, but from all Vincentians present.
Bishop Spalding then discussed the Theology of Abundance, a concept that is significant, not only SVdP related, but life related. It means that whatever challenges the world, or we face, God sends ever more blessings to address that issue, concern, trial, or crisis. Bishop Spalding reminded us that this concept comes from St. Paul and how the Saint acknowledged that where there is sin, “grace ever more abounds.” Theology of Abundance can guide our work and encourage us to always see the potential for good, even in the face of adversity.
Then, Michael Acaldo reminded us to always invite and welcome new members into the Society, including Youth and Young Adults. To encourage other Vincentians, he put on SVdP Youth sunglasses that we had at our YYA table.
Linda and I then learned about the incredible impact of Hope Pharmacies.
After a nice lunch, we listened to a Best Practices Panel, which shed some insight on various topics, such as Standards of Excellence, audits, and special works.
Sean Myers, National Vice President of Membership and Leadership Development, discussed how to re-energize and encourage Vincentians to recruit new members. He challenged us to return to our Parishes or communities and ask at least one person to consider joining St. Vincent de Paul. Be creative and trust in the Holy Spirit!
After a wonderful Mass, during which Fr. John emphasized the importance of loving one another, we all had a Dinner Banquet. I met Jill Lynch-Sosa, who is Omaha, Nebraska’s Executive Director, which was a wonderful God moment because I will be attending college in the Omaha area. This is another way I will be able to stay connected to SVdP while stepping into the next chapter of my life at college–what a blessing!
Midwest RVP, ChuckBishop SpaldingCEO, Michael with SVdP Youth Sunglasses
Saturday, May 24
We started the day with a delicious breakfast and immediately attended the Grant Writing workshop, which was insightful and informative. Fr. Michael Fye was up next; he talked about the Pastor’s role in starting and supporting an SVdP Conference. His enthusiasm and ideas were fantastic, and he recommended a book, “Navigate 2.0,” a read about better ways to communicate via the style that best fits a person, especially when talking to a Pastor about possibly starting a SVdP Conference, asking for more support, amongst other examples.
It was then time for our presentation. Barbara presented about her Youth Conference in Tennessee and their fantastic service projects and activities, highlighting a night when the Youth came together and experienced what it was like to be without a home. She shared some impactful quotes from her middle schoolers.
After Barbara’s presentation, I then presented, with help from Linda in answering questions. I discussed the steps of starting a Youth Conference while sharing recommendations on engaging Youth and Young Adults and the significance of the Conference Coaches’ role.
We then heard from the Disaster Relief Committee, a vital part of the Society that provides support and guidance on preparing for natural disasters and the correct way to contact those on the Disaster Services Corporation. Their work is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of those in need. Though there was a closing Mass, Linda and my flight took off, so we could not attend.
With that, the Midwest Regional Meeting came to a positive and sweet conclusion. Linda and I connected with so many Vincentians, and we are so thankful for everyone’s interest and kindness. We are excited to continue promoting the involvement of Youth and Young Adults.
Watch a recap video here! Thanks, Tyler, for your efforts in creating this.
YYAEL team members Andre, Tyler, and I, as well as our leader, Linda, attended and presented at the West Region Meeting 2025. We are all so grateful to Judy Dietlein, West Region RVP, for her kindness and willingness to involve us as presenters and attendees in the meeting. We are also thankful for Javier, who joyfully and benevolently welcomed us at the airport and throughout the meeting. Thank you to all those on LA Vincentian Services for welcoming and including us at your West Regional Meeting! Your efforts and dedication made for a wonderful meeting.
Thursday, May 1
We all arrived on Thursday morning and met Javier, who graciously picked us up and drove us to lunch and to do a little grocery shopping before the weekend took off. Once arriving at the hotel, we helped prepare by folding brochures and placing them in bags, aiding Ana in constructing the balloon arch, and setting out stickers and ribbons for fellow Vincentians’ name tags. After settling into our hotel rooms, we did a little exploring, journeyed to the social gathering, and met a few amazing Vincentians. Tyler and Andre enjoyed a meal with their fellow Contra Costa County Vincentians. At the same time, Linda and I met Lindy, a very enthusiastic Vincentian who wanted to involve more Youth in her area. After the social gathering, Andre, Tyler, and I did a recap of Thursday, with hearts and minds anxious and excited for Friday, our presenting day.
Balloon ArchRegistration TableBrochures and Bags
Friday, May 2
Early Friday morning, Andre, Tyler, and I went for a refreshing walk around the hotel, and by 7:45, we were eating breakfast. With our blue YYAEL polos, khakis, somewhat rested minds, and our enthusiasm to present, we were ready for Friday. Starting with Michael Acaldo’s moving Keynote, “Our Vincentian Charism in Today’s World,” he reminded us to “look through our Vincentian lens” rather than a secular lens and that providing love to those we meet is critical. Of this Keynote, Andre reflected this, “We all have to open our eyes and see that our encounters with those we serve have meaning and bring them hope, which in turn fills me with hope and makes me want to continue serving.”
After the Keynote, we all attended Workshop Block #1, “How to Build a Conference Donor Base.” This was very informative and well done, providing key details and tips on better fundraising, even if you are like me and do not like asking people for money. We then enjoyed a great lunch. I met Vincentians Terri and her husband, who were passionate Vincentians who deeply cared for those in their community.
Moving on to Workshop Block #2, Linda and I attended “A Partnership with Seattle Public Utilities,” an exceptional partnership that helps and provides food, water, and friendship to those living in RVs along the streets of Seattle. Andre and Tyler attended “Charity Vision: Looking Deeper, Seeing More.”
It was then the time we were all anticipating–Workshop Block #3: “YYAEL–Perspectives on YYA in the Society.” We had an amazing time presenting and sharing ways to better engage and maintain YYA in the Society. Andre led and closed in prayer; Tyler highlighted a unique way to engage YYA: hosting an SVdP-themed Spiritual Retreat for YYA in one’s community; Linda encouraged Conference Coaches to be flexible; I emphasized the importance of creating servant leaders. We all answered various questions about YYA’s presence in Society, what that looks like, and to ensure that as Conference Coaches, those mentoring the Youth reflect and have an open mind to the Youth’s perspectives and ideas. Shoutout to Steve and Frank, Tyler and Andre’s Conference Coaches, who added some great insight.
Thank you to all who attended! “We were so blessed to have so many Vincentians attend our workshop. It was inspiring to see their love for young people and their zeal for involving Youth and Young Adults in the Society and fostering Emerging Leaders!” expressed Tyler.
To celebrate a successful workshop, Andre, Tyler, Linda, and I walked to a cafe and enjoyed their coffee, matcha, and smoothies. We then returned to the hotel and dressed for the Host City Event at the Queen Mary, roaring 20s themed. A short bus ride to the ship, and we were there. We savored delicious food, a delightful photo booth, and a chilly walk around the ship. Some of us danced, though I must note, it was not Tyler or me. Nonetheless, it truly was a fantastic experience aboard the Queen Mary. We returned to the hotel, and Andre, Tyler, and I did our Friday recap video, with Friday coming to a close all too swiftly.
Presentation!Roaring 20sQueen Mary
Saturday, May 3
We walked to our breakfast on Saturday morning and attended Tim Williams’s Spiritual Reflection. Andre noted this about the Reflection: “We must continue to see God in those we serve by embodying love through our actions.”
We then listened to the West Region Update, and according to Tyler, “It was incredible to see how much we as a Society came together. Hearing about what happened during the Palisades and Eaton fires was eye-opening. Still, during the video, it was inspiring to see Vincentian support coming from everywhere, whether through prayers, donations, or even volunteers on the front lines. We really are one united Society, and this shows that.”
After lunch and our final workshop, Tyler and I attended “Leadership in Action: Unlocking the Power of Governance,” and Andre and Linda split between the other two, we all participated in the Poverty Simulation, which was an eye-opening experience to have to “walk” in the footsteps of many of our Friends in Need. It was stirring to experience the limitations and struggles many of those we help go through daily; it was chaotic and challenging to know where to start to ensure one’s “family” was fed, was paying rent for a “place” over their heads, and was traveling to the right places first to ensure maximum usage out of their transportation passes, amongst other scenarios that truly happen in real life. Much appreciation to Albert and Alicia, two cheerful and wonderful Vincentians, for being my “family,” my “brother,” Harvey, and “Mom” are close to my heart.
After the Poverty Simulation, Tyler and Andre left, as they had to return home for a Confirmation Rehearsal that they helped lead. Linda and I attended Mass, which was beautifully done, and a tasteful Closing Banquet to end the day.
Although the West Region Meeting ended Saturday night, our hearts are full and enkindled with the desire to continue evangelizing and spreading the word about the Society.
