FROM THE PROVINCIAL

New Beginnings

After a lengthy period of reflection, consultation, and prayer, we have decided to merge the three western region provinces into one province.

Dear friends,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

In the last issue I shared the story of our Vincentian beginnings in the United States 190 years ago and how a small band of Vincentian missionaries traveled from Italy to the New World, settling in Perryville, Missouri. With few physical resources, but with great trust in God and inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, they began a mission that continues today. Because of the hard work and generous sacrifices of these first Vincentians in the American mission, succeeding generations of Vincentians have been able to build on their foundation. Beginning at St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, the Vincentian charism would reach to every corner of America, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, and far beyond to the American-based missions in Panama, Guatemala, China, Taiwan, Burundi, Kenya, and more.

As the Congregation quickly grew in the New World, administering such a complex and far-flung territory became more difficult. Just 70 years after arriving, the Vincentian Community had grown so large that the original American Province was divided, and the Eastern Province was established in Philadelphia (1888). This arrangement of two provinces – one in the West and one in the East – continued until 1975 when the original Western Province was divided once again, this time establishing the Midwest Province based from St. Louis, the Province of the West based from Los Angeles, and the Southern Province based from Dallas.

That was nearly 35 years ago. A lot has happened and changed in the last three decades. Today, we Vincentians in the three provinces of the western region find ourselves at a new crossroads. After a lengthy period of reflection, consultation, and prayer, we have decided to merge the three western region provinces into one province. It will be called by the original name, the Western Province and initially its business office will be in St. Louis (Earth City).

On January 25, 2010, the Midwest Province, the Province of the West, and the Southern Province will come to an end. In their stead will be the new Western Province. We believe that this reconfiguration of three provinces into one new province will inspire us to find new means and ways of doing our mission, following Jesus evangelizing the poor. From a practical point of view, it also will position us to make better use of our personnel and resources in service of our mission.

Please join with us in praying that all the work being done by so many task forces in preparation for this reconfiguration will be blessed by God and bring about a renewal of the Vincentian mission in the western region of the United States. Here we began 190 years ago. Here we continue and even begin anew 190 years later. May St. Vincent continue to watch over us, his unworthy sons, and may we be inspired to continue joining hands with you and our many ollaborators as together we follow Jesus evangelizing the poor.

A new province means new leadership also. By our next issue in September, we will have identified the new leadership team, and I will be happy to introduce to you the new Provincial Superior and team who will take over in January.

Despite these upcoming changes – or better, because of these upcoming changes – we will be able to continue our mission in the Church. You will continue to hear from us. And we hope to continue hearing from you since we depend on you as collaborators with us in the mission.

This issue of the newsletter includes a presentation on our Vincentian ministry to the Latino community. This is a good example of the kinds of challenges and opportunities facing us in the future. We hope to expand our Hispanic ministry in the new Province as we share the Good News with all our brothers and sisters.

I wish there were good news regarding the economy, but it continues to be a concern for all of us. Even in the midst of such a difficult fiscal year, you have maintained your commitments to us Vincentians through your financial gifts, prayers, and support. We are closing this fiscal year knowing that we have made our development goals for operations, and this gives us hope for the future that we can continue to meet the needs of those we serve. Thank you for partnering with us in our mission here in the western region of the United States. We are 190 years young thanks to you and your support.

Thank you for all you do for the Church and the province. Please know that you and yours are in my daily prayers.

Blessings,

James Swift, C.M.