Seeing Christ in Our Neighbours
A Spiritual Retreat for SSVP volunteers and guests in Peel North, Greater Toronto

Seeing Christ in Our Neighbour
The recent spirituality seminar united Vincentians from across the nine Peel North particular council conferences for a day of reflection and renewal under the theme “Seeing Christ in Our Neighbour.” The gathering of 85 members offered a spiritual recharge and a reminder of our mission of faith, friendship and service to those in need.

Opening Reflection – Rev. Warnakulasuriya Gomi Fernando
Fr. Gomi, Associate Pastor of St. Jerome’s, invited members to reflect on what it means to “see Christ in our neighbour.” Quoting Matthew 25:35–40, he reminded us love shown to the hungry, sick, imprisoned, or stranger is love for Christ Himself. Seeing Christ in others, he stressed, demands inner conversion and outward compassion. He posed three questions: When did I last recognize Christ in someone I served? Have I overlooked anyone because of assumptions? What helps me see beyond the surface? Short video clips reinforced his message.
Learning Through Play – Kahoot Quiz
Alex Damm, St. Jerome’s spiritual facilitator and event’s main organizer, led a lively (and fun) Kahoot quiz on the SSVP’s heritage, refreshing members’ knowledge of Saint Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam while celebrating the Society’s values of humility, simplicity, and charity.

Words of Encouragement – Jose Torres
Jose Torres, President of Peel North Particular Council, highlighted how retreats strengthen bonds of friendship and promote holiness through shared faith. “We cannot share with others what we don’t have” – a familiar phrase - he reminded members, urging them to nurture their own spiritual lives.

Group Discussion – Living the Theme
Small groups explored practical ways to see Christ in those we serve. Key insights included: sharing in neighbours’ suffering through empathy; knowing local resources; understanding individual needs; praying before visits; serving with joy; celebrating small steps; using good judgment without being judgmental; inviting neighbours into parish life; encouraging discipleship; and embracing service as a lifelong vocation. These points affirmed Christ is encountered not only in grand gestures but in daily acts of attentive love.

Growing Together in Faith
The retreat welcomed participants from all nine Peel North conferences, including first-time attendees from the new St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s conferences, both in Brampton, Ontario, and a few guests, including a neighbour. In-need once the first-named conference served and now plans to volunteer with the Society. The day in the feast month of both the Society’s patron saint and co-founder reflected the vitality of our Vincentian family and openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Willis Langford, St. Mary’s (Brampton, ON)/Peel North Particular Council/Greater Toronto Central Council (GTCC) (Willis - a new SSVP member - is St. Mary’s spiritual facilitator and along with Alex and Jose is a member of the GTCC Spirituality committee; also a reflection writer-contributor to this newsletter. He helped organize the event.

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