“Vincent and His Gift of Collaboration”

On Friday, September 25, SCN Associates from Dangriga joined the Belize City SCN Associates at the SCN Center in Belize City for their annual St. Vincent de Paul retreat. Seventeen Associates and 3 sisters gathered for a weekend of prayer, reflection, learning, fellowship, and collaboration under the theme “Vincent and His Gift of Collaboration.”

The retreat began Friday evening with a check-in session, giving everyone an opportunity to share how they were doing and to reconnect with one another. This was followed by an icebreaker that placed the Associates in groups of three. Each group received a magazine picture that had been cut into several pieces. Working together, they had to reconstruct the picture. The simple activity quickly became a lesson in communication, patience, cooperation, and the importance of every person’s contribution.

After reflecting on the experience, the group moved into the first retreat session, “Who Was Vincent?” Sister Kerry Rowland, SCH, shared the story and history of St. Vincent de Paul, helping the Associates to better understand the man behind the mission and the values that continue to inspire the Vincentian spirit today. The evening concluded with a period of quiet reflection followed by prayer.

Saturday morning began with prayer before the Associates entered into the second session, “Vincent and His Collaboration with Madame de Gondi,” presented by Sister Kerry. The session explored how Vincent worked collaboratively with Madame de Gondi in responding to the needs of the sick and poor.

The Associates were then given quiet time to reflect on questions related to the presentation. This personal reflection was followed by an opportunity to share their insights and experiences with one another.

The third session, “Vincent and His Collaboration with the Church,” was presented by Sister Carlette. The Associates reflected on Vincent’s efforts to work with others to respond to the needs of the Church and the poor. Once again, quiet reflection followed the presentation, giving participants time to consider how Vincent’s example of collaboration might speak to their own lives and service. The session concluded with sharing in the larger group.

After lunch, the Associates put the theme of the retreat into action through an interactive activity called “Collaborative Baking.”

The Associates were divided into teams of four. Each team was given a different bread recipe, but there was a twist: every person had a specific role to play, and each team faced obstacles that required them to depend on one another.

One person was blindfolded and had the responsibility of mixing the ingredients and kneading the dough. A second person could only read the recipe and give instructions. A third person was responsible for gathering the ingredients, while the fourth person served as the overall helper.

The teams also had to solve the challenge of measuring their ingredients with only a limited number of measuring cups and spoons. The recipes included beet bread, carrot bread, tomato bread, and spinach bread.

The activity required much more than simply following a recipe. The Associates had to communicate clearly, listen carefully, trust one another, problem-solve, be patient, and work together toward a common goal.

When each team completed its dough, another surprise awaited them. The groups shared their dough with one another, resulting in multicolored bread dough that each Associate could shape into an individual design.

As the bread was left to rise, the Associates gathered for a lively conversation about the challenges they had experienced. They reflected on what the activity taught them about collaboration and how those lessons could be carried into their families, communities, ministries, and everyday lives.

The experience brought the retreat theme to life: collaboration requires trust, communication, flexibility, patience, and a willingness to recognize that everyone has something important to contribute.

Following supper, the Associates gathered for prayer and the closing ritual. Each person received a lit candle marked with a cross, symbolizing the light they are called to carry into the world.

The candle served as a reminder of St. Vincent de Paul and his gift of collaboration—the ability to recognize the gifts of others, bring people together, and work collectively in service of those in need. The Associates were invited to carry that same spirit of collaboration into their own lives and ministries.

The retreat concluded on Sunday with Mass at St. Martin de Porres Parish, where the Associates made their commitment and recommitment.

The weekend provided the SCN Associates from Dangriga and Belize City with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of St. Vincent de Paul, strengthen their relationships with one another, and reflect on what it means to collaborate in the spirit of Vincent.

Through prayer, reflection, learning, sharing, laughter, and even baking, the Associates were reminded that we accomplish more when we work together.

As they returned to their communities, they carried with them not only the memories of a meaningful retreat, but also a renewed invitation to live Vincent’s gift of collaboration in all that they do.

See the photo album here