Join Our Special Tribute

By Father Perry Henry, CM

As we give birth to the new Western Province on January 25, 2010, we look back on our past with grateful hearts for the many Vincentian priests and brothers who have served in a multitude of ways throughout the Southern and Midwest Provinces. At this time, I would like to especially recognize our current leaders, Father Jim Swift, CM, who has served as the Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Mission Midwest Province since May 2002, and Father Dan Borlik, CM, who has served as the Provincial Superior of the Southern Province since January 2002.

Frs. Swift and Borlik, along with Father Andrew Bellisario, CM, Pro-vincial Superior of the Province of the West, dedicated much time and energy the past two years to the process of merging the provinces. Their vision and leadership were instrumental in bringing together and unifying the new Western Province of the Vincentians.

Among many graced moments under Fr. Swift’s leadership, eight East African men have been ordained Vincentian priests. They will be responsible for bringing the gospel to those in desperate need of hope in Kenya. Also during his administration, Fr. Swift and his council committed to caring for our own senior Vincentians at the site of the Congregation’s original American motherhouse in Perryville, Missouri. Many of you joined us in this effort through your financial gifts to the Journey Home Campaign for the new Apostle of Charity Residence. As always, we are grateful for your partnership.

In the Southern Province, during Fr. Borlik’s administration, the Rebuild Center was founded in New Orleans in response to the many needs of the poor following Hurricane Katrina. The Rebuild Center at St. Joseph’s Church is a collaborative effort of partnering agencies to serve the poor made homeless by Katrina, and also the chronically homeless and immigrants from Mexico and Central America. The center serves over 250 people weekly with food, laundry, showers, medical assistance, legal counsel and more. Personally, I have had the privilege of serving on the executive board of the Rebuild Center and witnessing firsthand their loving response to those in need every day.

These are just a few of the ways in which we have been blessed by the leadership and guidance of our provincials and by your willingness to join us in our mission.

Please keep Fr. Swift and Fr. Borlik in your prayers as they begin their sabbatical. We pray they experience time to reflect and rejuvenate as well as listen intently to how God is calling them to further serve the Church, evangelizing the poor in the spirit and after the manner of our founder, St. Vincent de Paul.

As Fr. Swift and Fr. Borlik near the end of their term as leaders of their respective provinces, I invite you to make a charitable donation to the new Western Province, in their honor, out of gratitude for their leadership and their commitment to the mission of St. Vincent de Paul. Feel free to use the enclosed envelope to make your donation. We will gladly inform them of all gifts made in their honor.