Vincentian community celebrates founder's feast day

The Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby celebrated the feast of St Vincent de Paul last month with a day of prayer, worship, fellowship and renewal in the presence of the Lord, reports The Catholic Weekly. 

Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Broken Bay Fr David Ranson joined the community for the special celebration along with Centre Director Fr Sam Samuel VC and Centre Assistant Director Fr Juby Varghese VC. 

Fr David Ranson, Diocesan Administrator of Broken Bay Diocese was main celebrant at the Mass with the Vincentian community, friends, and other religious. PHOTO: Supplied/Catholic Weekly.

The day began with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary and included Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and dedicated time for praise and worship. 

In addition to preaching the Word of God, the priests gave reflections encouraging the community to “deepen their relationship with Christ and to allow the Gospel to become visible through their daily lives”.  

“[Fr David’s} presence was warmly welcomed and added particular significance to a day dedicated to St Vincent de Paul, whose life remains an enduring witness of love for Christ expressed through humble and generous service to those in need,” said Fr Sam. He and Fr Juby are Vincentian Missionaries. 

“At the heart of the celebration was the Holy Mass, the source and summit of our Catholic faith.  

“Together, the community gathered around the altar to give thanks to God and to seek the grace to follow the example of St Vincent de Paul – a saint whose profound love for Jesus overflowed into compassionate service of the poor, the suffering and the forgotten. 

A highlight of the day for Fr Sam was Eucharistic Adoration when the congregation entered a time of prayer, silence, and surrender.  

It was an opportunity for the community to “place their personal intentions, families, the Church and the needs of the world before the Eucharistic Lord and to experience anew His healing and merciful presence”. 

This article was published in The Catholic Weekly, the publication of the Archdiocese of Sydney.