In August, I had the privilege of supporting the Society of St Vincent de Paul USA at its 2026 Vision Congress, which is a significant national gathering shaped by listening, discernment and a shared desire to renew the Society for the United States.

For me, the Congress has been particularly meaningful because it was inspired by the Australian Society’s own Congress process in 2023 which I had the privilege of supporting. It is also a reminder that while each National Council has its own context, challenges and opportunities, we do not undertake this work alone. The Society is a global network of charity, bound together by the same Vincentian spirit, the same Part I and Part II of The Rule and the same commitment to walk alongside people experiencing hardship.

The US Vision Congress emerged from a national listening process involving Members, staff and volunteers. It sought to ensure that every voice could contribute to the future of the Society. The conversations identified major themes around home visitation and service delivery; spirituality and core values; membership and recruitment; organisational structure and governance; and brand awareness and outreach.

These areas will be familiar to Vincentians in Australia. They are the same questions many of our Conferences are asking: How do we remain faithful to our Mission while responding well to the changing needs of our communities? How do we welcome and form new Members? How do we ensure that our structures strengthen rather than burden our service? How can we better tell the story of the Society and invite others into it?

There is great value in this mutual sharing between countries. Australia’s Congress may have offered inspiration to colleagues in the USA, but their experience now offers learning, encouragement and challenge back to us. Each conversation strengthens the wider Vincentian family.

The same is true locally. Our Conferences serve different communities and operate in different circumstances, but we have far more in common than divides us. We share a call to friendship, prayer and service; a desire to offer practical assistance with compassion and respect; and a belief that every person deserves dignity and hope.

Renewal begins when we listen to one another. Reflection becomes meaningful when it leads us to learn, adapt and act – together.