at Richmond Hill's 140th anniversary Heritage Village Day Festival

The light bulb illuminated for Carol Collins, a Vincentian from Saint Mary Immaculate Conference who is also involved in other local outreach organizations within the community, as she suggested that a booth be set up in front of Saint Mary Immaculate Church to further educate the public about the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) at the conference, council, regional, national, and international level at Richmond Hill's Heritage Village Festival.

Vincentians of the York South Particular Council (YSPC) truly felt the light of Christ in their midst on Saturday, June 8, 2013 while coming together as a family to nurture each other's spirit, heart and soul with hope and enthusiasm. They shared their insights on the causes of poverty and its elimination. Personal stories of justice in action, resource sharing, sign up sheets to recruit youth, young adults, and older adults, crafts, a raffle, and sale items for donation highlighted the activities at the station.

A life size teddy bear, which participants had the opportunity to hug, became a metaphor for embracing the need to serve the poor with love, compassion, justice, and joy.

Theresa Riccardi
President
YSPC
SSVP