Hearts on Fire Southeast Regional Meeting May 20-23, 2011

The Beginnings

Hearts on Fire

Growth

Expansion August 1836 – Expansion in Europe Rome 1844 – England & Ireland 1845 – United States, Belgium and Scotland 1846 – Holland, Greece, Turkey and Mexico 1847 – Canada and Switzerland 1850 – Austria and Spain Network of charity encircling the world

What Keeps the Fire Burning?

Leadership Emmanuel Bailly – Mentor – Adult Advisor Supporter, Encouraged, Connected Sr. Rosalie Rendu – Mentor -- Adult Advisor Teacher, Guide and Example

Is Keeping the Fire Burning A New Problem?

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Aldophe Baudon – Third President General 27 years old 39 year term Entered the Society at 20 “Second Founder” Circular Letter dated 1 st November, 1851 Two Points 1. Publicity especially in political journals 2. Welcome the young

Welcome to New Members “The newcomers are not properly received, and they are suffered to sit down unnoticed among their new brothers without any words of welcome and encouragement.” November 1, 1851

Importance of Recruiting Young People “We are old,” say those who write to us, “we do not attract youth, and, after us, what will become of the Conference?” “This needs to be remedied.”

How Can We Draw Youth? First – “forming with the Conference a little section of aspiring members… an interest in our works and entrusting them…. guidance of an older member”

Second – establish connection with the Conferences of Educational Institutions Holy Rosary School – Memphis, TN Blessed Trinity High School –Roswell, GA Bishop Kenny High School – Jacksonville, FL

“…others will take fire at the work, and will pass on their heat to places where no conferences yet exist, or they will rekindle the warmth of those that are already in existence.” June, 1853

Jose Ramon Diaz-Torremocha “We must carry on the process of Vincentian regeneration within all Conferences…. This is a permanent process that has a beginning but no end.” June 30, 2002

Michael Thio Some key areas of focus – #5 Youth/Young Adults “The youth of today is our leaders of tomorrow.” “They bring vitality, ideas and enrichment to the Society and provide a source of future leadership …” “ We would strongly urge and encourage conferences and Councils to give special emphasis on recruitment of young people and the provision of effective and sustainable formation and development of our youth.” June 1, 2010

Young People Are the Future

Message of the II Vatican Council to Youth “ For it is you who are to receive the torch from the hands of your elders and to live in the world at the period of the most gigantic transformations ever realized in its history.”

“It is for you, youth, especially for you that the Church now comes through her council to enkindle your light, the light which illuminates the future, your future.” 7 December 1965

Younger Generations Generation XMillennials Born – 1965 – million Born – 1980 – million Accept Diversity Pragmatic/practical Self-reliant/individualistic Reject rules Killer life Mistrust institutions PC Use technology Multitask Latch-key kids Friend – not family Celebrate diversity Optimistic/realistic Self-inventive/individualistic Rewrite the rules Killer lifestyle Irrelevance of institutions Internet Assume technology Multitask fast Nurtured Friends = family Mentoring Do’s Casual, friendly work Environment Involvement Flexibility and freedom A place to learn Mentoring Do’s Structured, supportive work Environment Personalized work Interactive relationship Be prepared for demands, high expectations

Conference of Catholic Bishops September, 1976– A Vision of Youth Ministry Ministerial and pastoral Relational Goal-centered Multidimensional Holistic & developmental People-centered and needs focused

June, 1997 – Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry To empower young people To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and works… To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person

November 12, 2003 – Stewardship and Young Adults An Invitation to Help Change the World “This is a call to young adults everywhere to renew the face of the Earth. This is a call to listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking of gratitude and responsibility.”

SVDP Young Hearts on Fire

Leadership - Today Mentors Adult Advisors Support/ Encourage Guide/Teach

Words from Hearts of Fire “You get to change other people’s lives while they change yours.” Kelsey –Junior “It’s very hands-on and you get to interact with people … It’s eye opening to see how other people are living and how we can help them.” Joe -Senior

Erik – Bishop Moore High School “Helping out in the community makes me appreciate what I have and I am very grateful for it. It feels good to help out the needy. My experience as a member of SVdP Youth Group has ultimately made me into a better person.”

Shannon and Corinne St. Marguerite D-Youville “A personal invitation is what got us involved in the Young Vincentians of our parish. It has been a rewarding experience, one that we hope to take with us to the University of Georgia.”

“Helping others makes me feel great! It makes me feel like I’ve made a difference.” Jacob Lake Highland Preparatory School

Holy Rosary St. Matthew Minnie Vinnies Bishop Kenny HS Blessed Trinity HS

Holy Family Young Vincentians - Orlando Holy Family SVDP Youth Group – Virgin Islands Deacon Ken McCarver 2011 Vincentian Award St. Marguerite D’Youville

Participants at the Vincentian Youth Meeting & World Youth Day – Madrid 2011

The Fires Will Continue to Burn “…they will rekindle the warmth of those [conferences] that are already in existence.” Frederic Ozanam “…render them suitable programs and giving them every opportunity for participation in the growth and leadership.” Michael Thio

Southeast Region Bishop Kenny High School St. Matthew Minnie Vinnies Holy Family SVDP Youth Group – Orlando, FL Blessed Trinity High School Our Lady of Mercy High School St. Marguerite D’Youville Young Vincentians Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati YA St. Anne Youth Conference Holy Rosary Vincentians University of Georgia Holy Family Youth Conference – Virgin Islands