Dear fellow Vincentians
I had the opportunity to attend the recent ONRC AGM in London on September 17th. This was my first as past president and I was honoured to be part of the installation of your new ONRC president, Linda Dollard. Linda exemplifies everything that I love about being a Vincentian-love for the Society, our members, our Catholic faith and last but not least our friends in need that we seek to meet and serve. I believe she will be an inspiration to all of us over the next five years, and beyond.

My other thought while in London is how this city and its Vincentians have fulfilled a vision I had a few years ago. I was part of a team from ONRC that assisted in the reorganization of the London SSVP operation. It was hard work but I always felt that from meeting and working with the members that London would one day become a leader amongst our Ontario councils and membership. While my predictions are not always correct, I was sure right about London.

We can start from the London council I first worked with, to Phil Bondy who took on the role of council president, and then moved into working on our stores and training programs. Then we have his successor as council president, Linda Dollard. Linda is now ONRC president and has embarked on a new and challenging role. We must also talk about the great people in the parish conferences and stores, the youth conference under the leadership of Lillian Mulder as well as our ONRC webmaster, John Ketelaars. There are many more names I could list but it may take another page. We are indeed blessed to have such great Vincentians in London. THANK YOU TO THE LONDON SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL.

Jim Paddon, past president, ONRC.