FROM THE PROVINCIAL

Heart to Heart

Dear friends,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

This Christmas, many of us will be a bit more restrained in our gift giving. Food prices and the unstable economy of recent months are leading us to cut back on our holiday spending.

Perhaps there is a hidden grace in this. These financially difficult times can be an invitation to us to remember once again what really matters, to reflect on our deepest and dearest values. And what better season to do this than Christmas? Each Christmas we have an opportunity to pause and to give thanks for a gift which is beyond all price – the gift of love. God’s love for each of us, a love he showed us in Jesus, cannot be measured. It can only be returned by our reaching out and sharing that love with others.

Christmas reminds us that what really matters is family and that under our one, heavenly Father, we are all one family in Jesus. From God’s heart comes love – the living love who is Jesus, a love given to each of us. But it is a love that seeks to be shared in turn with others, especially with those who otherwise would have no one to care for or love them. When we let ourselves know and feel the love of God poured into our hearts, and then reach out and love others, looking into their eyes and seeing the reflection of Jesus, that is a love beyond measure. That is a love which won’t be affected by market swings or retail prices. That is a love – a Christmas love – coming from the heart. It begins with God’s heart and flows to ours. It then is meant to flow from our hearts to the hearts of others.

Yes, we might have to cut back on some things this Christmas, but we can make up for it by being even more generous and prodigal in our love for others. We have received so much from God, everything that truly matters. Let us give thanks and spare no personal expense in extending that love to others.

As we Vincentians thank God this Christmas for the gift of His love in Jesus, we also thank God for the gift of His love made real and tangible through you, our friends. We depend on you and are so grateful we can count on you to support us through your prayers, your friendship, your collaboration, and your financial gifts. You are partners with us in continuing the mission St. Vincent de Paul gave
us to announce the good news to the poor. And you are more than partners: You are members of our family. At this time of year when families come together, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers in a most special way – heart to heart. We thank God for you and for the many ways you let his love touch and change the lives of others, especially the poor.

In this issue, we highlight four new affiliates of the Congregation in the Southern Province. An affiliate is a title of honor we give to collaborators who have shown their dedication to our mission and to the charism of St. Vincent de Paul. We Vincentians are blessed to have such affiliates. Of course, each of you is an affiliate-at-heart through the many ways you support us.

From our hearts to your heart this Christmas: Thank you! You are in my daily prayers.

Blessings,

James Swift, C.M.