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Thursday night at Rossini Hall a new tradition began. The designer handbag bingo event was a resounding success. Over 250 people gathered to play Bingo and enjoy charcuterie (complements of Tom Mercante at Mercasa) and canoli (compliments of Maria’s West). And the prizes were outrageous! Designer handbags from Armani, Coach, Tony Burch, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and Chanel! In all twelve handbags were won by lucky guests. There were draws for lovely prize packages ranging from kitchen appliances, self care packages, catering packages, Blue Jays tickets and everything in between. Giovanni Petitti kept the evening moving and everyone giggling with his signature style.

The evening ran smoothly because of the careful organizational efforts of an incredible group: Susie, Angela, Peter, Jen, Krystina, Liz, Martha, Melissa, Sabrina, and Sandra.

The successful evening will support A Beds for Children program at Saint Vincent de Paul that works to provide comfortable beds for children in need.

Can’t wait for next year!

“The world needs messages of hope. You are that message and you must continue to bring hope to all.” Pope Leo XIV

The Saint Vincent de Paul Particular Council of Brant hosted a dinner to recognize and thank volunteers and community partners on the evening of April 24th, 2026 at the parish hall of St. Pius X. Guests were welcomed by Theresa MacDougald, president of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Particular Council of Brant, who noted that a society can be measured by its commitment to empathy, social justice and community, and the volunteers gathered at the dinner exemplified these qualities.

After a lovely dinner catered by the CWL of St Pius X, there were two presentations.

Rob Campbell presented a slide show outlining the Rule of The Saint Vincent de Paul organization and the progress and growth of the outreach services at Saint Vincent de Paul, Brant. His presentation also highlighted the many community partners that support the work of Saint Vincent de Paul, through referrals, volunteers, donations and fundraising. Rob recognized representatives of these community partners who were guests at the dinner. Rob’s presentation noted the remarkable growth in services delivered in the past seven years with the support of these partners.

Peter Giordano began his presentation by sharing his experience of witnessing a family with no food in their refrigerator. He shared a beautiful slide show with candid photos of the many volunteers who make up the community of hope of Saint Vincent de Paul daily. Peter ended his presentation with the image of a refrigerator full of groceries and a reminder that the volunteers make this ‘magic’ happen.

At the end of the evening we were left with the powerful message of Matthew 25: 35-40:

35 ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

On Thursday, March 26th, approximately 30 Vincentians and guests gathered in the Community Room of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Thrift Store to hear two speakers from the City of Brantford give an update regarding housing and homelessness within the city. This was the third meeting with the city, the two previous being at the Society’s Annual Formation days in 2023 and 2024.

SSVP Housing Champions chairperson, Kristine Paul, introduced Katie Maas, Director of Housing and Homelessness and Marsha Potvin, Manager of Housing Stability.

Marsha explained her position and the various elements of her portfolio ranging from HRC operated currently by SOAR, encampment outreach, city housing intake, etc. She also showed statistical information regarding homelessness from PIT counts over the last few years. She also explained the difference between market rent, affordable rent, geared to income and subsidized rent.

Katie Maas presented the city’s plans to develop the “Fox Ridge” property at 389 West St., which the city purchased in October 2025, intending to transform it into a major housing hub. The site is 4.82 acres in size. There are 3 phases to the development – emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent affordable housing. The emergency shelter is scheduled to open October 1, 2026. As residents of Six Nations Iroquois Lodge Nursing home had been displaced due to flooding, 50 elders will be relocated to Fox Ridge for approximately 3 years while the new nursing home is built on the reserve. Phase 2 will introduce transitional and supportive housing with onsite access to health, social and stabilization support. Phase 3 permanent housing could have between 72 to 144 modular units that align with provincial and federal construction funding priorities.

The presentation generated innumerable questions from the enthusiastic audience.

Pat Lenz, Director of Community Outreach for the Society, congratulated the two presenters and Brantford’s housing initiatives for earning national recognition by Built for Zero Canada and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness(CAEH) as well as Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund. The federal government selected Brantford for a nearly $450,000 grant through the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund program, rewarding the city’s data-driven approach and allowing the expansion of the Housing Stability Worker Program.

The evening ended with a “breaking of bread” and sharing of homemade soups.

On a very cold and drizzly Tuesday afternoon, our hearts were warmed as Carolyn Boerboom led us through a lovely contemplative celebration of Advent and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The service began with a lighting of the first two candles on the Advent wreath, symbolizing Hope and Peace. The opening prayer reminded us that we honour Mary, the heavenly patron of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in this Advent season.

The first reading, Luke 1:39-45, described Mary’s joyous visit with Elizabeth. We were asked to consider the reading and ponder how God’s love is manifested in the Vincentian’s life and the ways in which Mary can guide and inspire us in the Advent season. The second reading reminded us of the way in which Mary’s heart, filled with wonder and praise magnified the Lord and rejoiced in the love of God. We were asked to use the words of the Magnificat to begin prayers of praise to the Lord.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
The Almighty has done great things for me.”

We were encouraged to frame our prayers to consider the great things God had done for us.

Carolyn led us in praying a decade of the Rosary following the Second Joyful mystery – Mary’s visit to Elizabeth – appropriately focusing on the love of Neighbours. Frank and Carolyn Boerboom gifted the participants beautiful one decade rosaries that they themselves had made and Carolyn noted that “holding a rosary is like holding Mary’s hand”.

The participants shared a lovely dinner of pizza, snacks and good fellowship. The afternoon was a prayerful, community celebration of Mary, our heavenly patron, and the Advent season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.