September is a month of mixed blessings and, for me at least, mixed feelings.

For most of my life, as child and adult, September meant a return to school, a fresh start, a new beginning. Summer was ending and the new academic year was arriving. I was filled with all kinds of excited anticipation, plus a chance for a clean slate on which to re-write everything that hadn't gone as well as I wanted during the previous year. 'God help me get it right this year!' was my prayer. It was a rush.

As I grew older September became the beginning of the end. It marked the end of sun filled, lazy days and the beginning of the downturn in weather as autumn ushered in winter. Some people tell me that fall, with its crisp days and beautiful colours, is their favourite season. I have trouble not seeing beyond the beautiful foliage to the coming cold and dark of winter. I crave the cocoon that is family and friends, to wrap myself in their warmth, even as I look for a sweater to warm my physical body. My prayer becomes, 'God keep my family and friends safe in your love.'

Family - specifically coming together as family - is one of the pillars of Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Every time we gather and recite our Mission and Values we affirm that, '...as Vincentians we come together as a family.' But do we?

How 'family-like' is my conference, my council? Do we know each other, beyond the meetings and the chores? Do we do more than have a business meeting? Do we socialize and celebrate together? Do we treat each other as sisters and brothers?

No conference or council is perfect. Every one of us can be a better family. One of the ways we can do this is to spend time together with our extended family.

Every opportunity for a reunion with my personal extended family has renewed me. From my childhood until today, whenever grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and beyond gathered to laugh and share memories we learned from each other and were inspired by our shared roots. So it is with our Vincentian family. We learn and share; we are inspired and rejuvenated. We gain the strength and courage and resources to carry on in our calling to serve Christ in His poor.

The next opportunity to come together as a family is the ONRC Fall Meeting in London on September 16 and 17. All Vincentians are invited to join the family for one or both days. Together we will become a better family, a family renewed and ready to face whatever lies ahead.

Perhaps God has already planted a seed of curiosity about this ONRC meeting. Perhaps you are wondering about our new executive and where the Society in Ontario is headed. Perhaps you need courage and inspiration to try to improve your own conference. If any of these apply to you, I invite you to come to London, meet the team who will be guiding your ONRC.

Hoping to see you in London,

Denise Bondy, Chair
ONRC Spirituality Committee