A special mourning Mass was also celebrated in his parish in Les Gautherets at 6:00 p.m. same day.

Rev. Jan SOCHA was born on August 6, 1933 in Wojslawice (near Radom, Central Poland). His younger brother is bishop Pawel Socha CM.  He entered Congregation of the Mission in the Province of  Poland on September 27, 1950. His brother Pawel was received next year). Both brothers were ordained together by bishop Baziak of  Krakow on May 22, 1958.

He was engaged in the ministry among Polish immigrants in France for most of his priesthood.  Polish Vincentian mission in France  centered in the Lorraine Region (Soissons), today known as Galia House, was founded right after WWI to provide religious and spiritual ministry to Polish immigrants and expatriates in this industrial part of  France. It played very significant role during years of  Cold War and Communist regime.  Since 1971 Fr. Socha was pastor of Les Gautherets parish were some 50 Polish people regularly attended Sunday services. He was very acknowledged and honored by Polish community in France. In his parish he initiated the Folklore Dance Group named “Traditions”

[picture courtesy of Polskiea MisjaKatolicka,  Montceau Les Mines]

The sad news

Funeral celebrations will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 in St. Michael’s Church, Derby, CT. Later he will be buried in Vincentian Community Plot at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Derby, CT.

To read more about F. Ronald and funeral arrangements go to the news post — FR. RONALD WIKTOR CM DIED — in Province of New England website.

Wednesday, July 14

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Reverend Father Gregory Gay
Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission
and Reverend Mother Evelyne Franc
Superioress General of the Company of Daughters of Charity

„Whoever loves God, must also love his brother” (1Jn 4:21)

With these words of Apostle John, I would like to join in thought and prayer the entire Vincentian Family, as it celebrates in thanksgiving the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of death of Saint Louise de Marillac and Saint Vincent de Paul. These words were lived out in the luminous way in the lives of your Founders. It is because they believed in charity they put themselves in the service of their brothers and sisters. May this same faith be your light and strength in your ways of service to the most abandoned and lowly in our so often heartless societies!

By placing this jubilee under the motto „Charity and Mission”, indeed, you have wished to indicate what is the heart of heritage which you have received. As I wrote in my first Encyclical, figures of saints such as Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac „stand out as lasting models of social charity for all people of good will. The saints are the true bearers of light within history, for they are men and women of faith, hope and love.” (Deus Caritas Est, 40). This is what I encourage you to be, in a daring way amongst the men and women of our time, so that your involvements in favor of human person be in fact the revelation of the love of God and simply the expression of humanism and philanthropy.

The intuition of Vincent de Paul in getting the priests, consecrated persons and laity to collaborate is a precious good in to which the Vincentian Family rightly engages itself to develop better service of the Church’s mission. So, you will ever be more effective in proclaiming the Gospel to all, so that each person might recover their dignity as Children of God in the world, in unity and solidarity. May God help you always to remain faithful to the heritage you have received to live it out with faith and generosity!

Entrusting you to the intercession of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac and all the saints and blessed of the Vincentian Family, I give you all a full heart an affectionate Apostolic Blessing.

at Vatican, 14 June 2010

Benedict XVI

“To do or not to do”

Homily closing the General Assembly
by Superior General, Most Rev. Gregory Gay CM
July 16, 2010

Missal Readings: Is. 52:7-10, Ps 95, 1Cor 1:26-31, 2:1, Mt 25:31-46

«download the homily in PDF»
«watch the closing Mass (with recorded homily)»

“To be or not to be, that is the question?” so wrote Shakespeare. And what is our question? From the perspective of this General Assembly, from the motivation of its theme Creative Fidelity to the Mission, I would dare to say that our question is to do or not to do? Yes, that is our question, my brothers, to do or not to do the mission that the Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted to us as missionaries, priests and brothers, in the Congregation of the Mission.

“He went about doing good” (“Pertransiit benefaciendo.”) Our historians claim that this is the first motto that Saint Vincent de Paul chose for the Congregation of the Mission. In imitation of Jesus Christ, focused on the Word of God, Vincent de Paul was struck by this phrase from the Act of the Apostles. It was Peter who proclaimed how God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power and “he went about doing good.”

My brothers, “doing good” is what we have focused on in this General Assembly: how we have done good, how we can be better at doing good, and in what ways we might be able to accomplish that good, being faithful to our heritage and yet ever creative in its expressions. In my report to the General Assembly on the state of the Congregation of the Mission in these past six years, I said simply but clearly that one of the most important developments, not only for the Congregation but also for the Vincentian Family that we had worked on with much intensity, was and is the question of systemic change. Systemic change, as I said, is a contemporary way that we live out that which motivates us to do good, the charity of Jesus Christ crucified.

Fears have been expressed, saying that such a focus on systemic change we might become like another NGO. Such is not the case when we have clear what it is, Who it is that motivates us to do what we do. The need is for us to make that connection, that integral relationship between contemplating the goodness of the Lord, deepening our knowledge of His love for us, and transforming that to loving action for the poor both by word and by deed, through evangelization and service of the poor.

Gentlemen, let me recall for you what Saint Vincent has said to the Congregation about the Common Rules Chapter 1, Art. 1. “If there are any among us who think they are in the Mission to evangelize poor people but not to alleviate their suffering, to take care of their spiritual needs but not their temporal ones, I reply that we have to help them and have them assisted in every way, by us and by others, if we want to hear those pleasing words of our sovereign judge of the living and the dead: ‘Come, beloved of my Father; possess the kingdom that has been prepared for you, because I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was naked and you clothed me; sick and you assisted me. ‘ To do that is to preach the gospel by words and by works. That is the most perfect way. It is also what our Lord did, and what those should do who represent Him on earth.”

The basis of our renewal, that is of our Creative Fidelity to the Mission is tied into: our love of God, being men of prayer: our love of the Congregation, being men who work at community life, that is participative and unifying: and men who draw close to the poor in order to listen to them, to be moved by their requests of us, being their servants: with a desire to be obedient to them as our lords and masters and therefore to open our hearts to that transforming experience of God’s love that takes place in our interaction with those who are poor. And we do so as a community. We do so motivated by God’s love.

As we are nourished by God’s word let us be nourished by God’s Body and Blood and go forth bearing the Good News. Let us do so as bearers of peace with a humble confidence that it is God who works in us, He who gives us the courage to break with our fears, being made afresh and moving forward, being only concerned to do what Jesus Christ did, “going about doing good” for these the least of our brothers and sisters. So be it for the Congregation of the Mission as it embarks upon a new era, a new period of six years of following Jesus Christ, evangelizer of the Poor.

Website of Office for Foreign Missions of Province of Poland

Click and try our the new «MISSIONARY ABC».

Election of the  Superior General - Fr. Gregory Gay - on Thursday, July 8, was the highlight of the wek. Retreat day on Wednesday lead by Fr. Javier Alvarez, later elected Vicar General, was spiritual  preparation for these important events.  As mentioned Vicar General was elected on Friday. And Saturday was marked by election of new Assistants General Fr. Zeracristos, Fr. Varghese Thottamakara, Fr. Eli Dos Santos and Fr. Stanislav Zontak. In the atmosphere filled with acts of Holy Spirit delegates listened to presentation on activity and perspectives of  International Formation Center - CIF by Fr. Marcelo Manimtim, the Director (Tuesday). On Friday Fr. Perry F. Henry, Visitor of  new US Western Province talked about reconfiguration of  his province. Visitors of  French provinces of Paris and Toulouse also presented their stories  in this theme.  The week ended in Folleville, where participants visited the church where St. Vincent de Paul preached his first mission sermon. They concelebrated the Mass there, visited the cathedral in Amiens and finally enjoyed barbecue prepared by parishioners there.

Celestino Fernández: Tell us something about your life so that the readers might know you better

Javier Álvarez: I come from the Castilian region of Spain which is in the center of the country. I was ordained in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. One of the ministries that I have had pleasure to be involved in has been the
formation of our candidates during fifteen years of my ministerial life. The Daughters of Charity have been the other ministry that has occupied my attention, dedication and commitment. I was the first Director of Madrid - Saint Louise Province and next the Director General of Daughters of Charity. I am suffering and am greatly worried about the situation of the poverty in which are so many people live in the world. I raise many questions about the loss of faith and human and Christian values especially in our developed societies. These assumptions make it difficult to discuss actuality of our Vincentian charism.

Celestino Fernández: Tell me, how do you feel at this time?

Javier Álvarez: Right now, two feelings coexist in me. On the one hand, I feel great sorrow for leaving the service I’ve fulfilled so far, as Director General of the Daughters of Charity, in which I was very focused and very excited. Never enough it will be to appreciate the warm welcome from the Sisters and the animation I have always received. The other feeling is hope. When I look at my new mission, I am excited and animated in the same way. I am determined to give more of myself and give myself fully to the work which the Assembly has asked me. I think the big international experience I have gained during past six years in Paris will help me, thanks to the Daughters of Charity, whom I love and deeply admire.

Celestino Fernández: Did the re-election surprise you?

Gregory Gay: No. Because I have tried to act in a very clear and simple manner during these past six years and I have given the confreres the opportunity to see if they want to walk in this direction or not. After listening to the different dialogues in the Assembly Hall I have seen that the things that I consider important continue to be important for the confreres. I am not going to mention here things that refer to the future of the Congregation but you can read about this in the report that I gave at the beginning of the Assembly.

C.F. : How are you feeling at this moment?

G.G.: At this time I am feeling good and I expressed this to everyone. The feeling now is not the same that I experienced six years ago when I did not know what it meant to be Superior General. Now I know that this is a tremendous work that demands much energy but I am willing to continue with my idea of redistributing the work among the members of the Council and the Curia. At the same time, as I said after the election, there are certain constants in my life and these have not changed. I refer here again to my love for the Congregation, my love for the Vincentian Family and my love for the poor. This has not changed and I feel encouraged to continue in this line.

C.F. : You are beginning a new stage. How are you encouraged?

G.G.: I do feel encouraged and I believe that it is very important for this General Assembly to choose a good team so that we can work together, distribute the work as is necessary and for the good of the Congregation and redistribute the other responsibilities that we all have with regard to the Vincentian Family.

C.F. : Have these past years presented you with many unpleasant things?

G.G.: I believe that it is normal within the context of a great responsibility, such as being Superior General, that one would experience unpleasant moments. Perhaps one of the things that I find most displeasing is when I observe the absence of zeal that one ought to have as a Vincentian. I am especially displeased when I see that we are not what Saint Vincent would desire, when we are not transparent in what we say and when we lack charity and do not speak directly to the person about what we are thinking. Many times we do not express what we are feeling to an individual but then express these feelings to others. I have experienced this and this is most unpleasant and displeasing to me: when we do not speak directly to the person because of some fear that we might not be accepted. The lack of simplicity is very upsetting.

C.F. : And joys?

G.G.: Many joys. Perhaps the opportunity, as I said in my report, to experience the charism as it is being lived in different places, whether in the Congregation, among the Daughters of Charity or in other branches of the Vincentian Family, especially when individuals are working together and working with much enthusiasm. For example, I felt great joy when Spain celebrated the Congress of the Vincentian Family; the level of enthusiasm and the desire to move forward as a Vincentian Family was very real. Another cause of great joy is when I travel from one country to another and I experience this same enthusiasm, many times in very difficult situations.

C.F. : How do you see the Congregation at this time?

G.G.: I have much optimism and much hope. Here in this Assembly we have listened to a presentation and in 2004 I listened to this same presentation and I believe it was the same person. I refer to the fact that our numbers are diminishing. This is only one side of the Congregation. What is interesting for me is the other side of the Congregation, that which the Superior General and the Assistants seen, namely that we are a young Congregation and that there are places where the Congregation is growing. I like to look at that reality because we ought to assure them of good leadership. I am not saying that we should not be concerned about the Congregation in other parts of the world but that perhaps we ought to refocus our energies that have been centered on one part of the world and that now need to be centered on a part of the world where there is growth.

C.F. : And what do you say to the pessimists?

G.G.: I believe that one of the difficulties arises from a lack of experience on the international level because then it is very easy to take on a pessimistic attitude. If we are only looking at our own reality and if that reality is not going well, if we are losing heart or if we are diminishing in number, we can then become overly concerned about maintenance instead of promoting creativity that will enable us to move forward. This can also occur when we experience certain difficulties with young confreres who might take on a lifestyle that is somewhat independent …. I believe that it is better to broaden our horizons and look at the Congregation on an international level. This can have a positive effect and can also encourage us in our present situation. I have listened to Sister Evelyne Franc speak about this when she said that we are all part of one eternal reality, in our case, the Congregation of the Mission. We ought to feel proud of those places where the charism is strong and having positive effects. We ought to feel proud about our service and evangelization. This can be a way to help us in the process of conversion and renewal in those places where we are weak and where, perhaps, we have diminished a little.

C.F. : What are your hopes for this Assembly?

G.G.: First of all I hope that we continue with the process of dialogue. It is very clear that there are different mentalities with regard to the Assembly. There are two groups here: one with the idea of the Assembly as a legal body that is concerned about good order and themes such as the Statutes and the Postulata and all the arguments for their approval or rejection. Another attitude that I see and that is more relevant now is that of an Assembly that is more concerned about dialogue, concerned that we speak about those matters that are important to us, for example, what are the poor telling us? It is there that we must go during the next six years. We had to cancel a part of the Assembly which for me would have been most interesting: different workshops on various important themes, on present situations that are of interest to the Congregation in different parts of the world. I am going to propose that this be treated in the meetings with the news Visitors and also in the meeting of all the Visitors which will take place in three years, themes of importance such as sexual abuse, the question of aging of the confreres and of the provinces … What can we do to confront these situations, what do we do with our property and how can we manage our goods in a more just manner. We still have to discuss a matter that is going to be very difficult but it is important for me to listen to the dialogue so that I can get some guidance in this area and here I am referring to the question of reconfiguration and greater collaboration among the provinces. I believe that we ought to delve deeper into some of the Statutes which in my understanding contain interesting material that the confreres want to speak about. What upsets me is that we begin to fight over words and forget that which is most important, the theme. Today I have learned much and it is good to see that there are some people who like to see things done according to the law and others who prefer to be more flexible with the law … we have to allow space so that the Spirit might guide us along those paths that we ought to travel.

C.F. : The Assembly is now preparing to elect a Vicar General and Assistants General, explain to me your criteria on this matter.

G.G. : It is very important to choose a good team, a good General Council so that we can carry out the work that the General Assembly places before us as a task to accomplish during the six year years. Therefore I have several criteria: that we be attentive to what the Constitutions say with regard to an Assistant General: they “assist” the General in fulfilling what is requested by the General Assembly and that they work together. Even though we are decreasing in some places we are increasing in other places and we have to be sure that we choose leaders who understand this situation and who can help by being mindful of this situation of growth of the Congregation. We also need Counselors who are not afraid to work. I have spoken about a redistribution of work among the Curia and the Council because things are too centralized in the person of the Superior General. This demands that the person be in good health. No, he does not have to be young, but he has to be a constant worker. Obviously it is also important that this person loves God, loves the Community, and also loves the poor and that this is manifested by his actions, for example, when he is in the Curia or traveling that he prays with the community, participates in community activities, and demonstrates a closeness to and a sensitivity for the poor. Finally one has to be a Vincentian who lives the characteristic virtues, especially, simplicity.

C.F. : What was your first thought when the Assembly manifested their warmth with a thunderous applause?

G.G.: Something that I tried to repeat there and that was: thank you for your love and your support. I feel that a great number of confreres respect me, love me and are willing to support me. This made me feel good and gave me the courage to continue.

« you may get the printable version of the interview from HERE »