How to Establish Diversity in
Conferences
OPENING PRAYER
 All-inclusive God, you call us to be in relationship with one
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another and promise to dwell wherever two or three are
gathered in your name.
In our Society of St. Vincent de Paul we are many different
people; we come from many different places, have many
different cultures.
Open our hearts that we may be bold participants in finding
the treasures of diversity among us.
Let us see through the eyes of a child.
We pray in faith. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
 Having diversity in conference life can be a source of both
enrichment and tension.
 Diversity, however, should never damage our unity, but
instead it should bring us closer together.
 We should not only integrate new members in the
Conference, but also fully include them in the Vincentian
family, spirituality and love.
 We must help each other with acceptance and respect.
INCREASE AWARENESS OF DIVERSITY
Ten practical suggestions on how to increase awareness of
diversity in our Society and Conferences:
1. Share stories of your own families backgrounds.
2. Visit the website for the United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops http://usccb.org/ and in particular the portion of
this website that addresses cultural diversity
hnp://www.usccb.org/scdd
3. Share experiences of diversity and diverse Conferences and
any materials developed for these purposes.
INCREASE AWARENESS OF DIVERSITY
4. Become aware of the major ethnic populations in your
area through local demographic information and become
acquainted with the cultural differences of those groups.
5. Identify different cultural groups and organizations in your
area, visit them, and listen to their stories.
6. Committee at the National Council level on Diversity/
Multicultural Issues and Initiatives, supports and encourages
the establishment of diverse Conferences, provides input,
resources, workshops and other necessary information.
INCREASE AWARENESS OF DIVERSITY
7. Regional Vice Presidents are to assess the needs of their
region, facilitate the dissemination of information on diversity,
and encourage formation and training around this issue.
8. The (Arch) Diocesan/Central Council level is to establish a
committee or appoint a person to oversee the formation of
diverse Conferences and other Multicultural/Diversity Issues.
9. At the District Council level it is also necessary to have a
person (perhaps the Vice President) act as the advisor on all
Multicultural/Diversity issues.
10. Councils should sponsor diversity workshops using this
handbook as a resource to raise awareness of members about
these issues.
INCREASE DIVERSITY IN
CONFERENCES
Ten practical suggestions on how to increase diversity in our
Conferences and/or how to create and support culturally
diverse Conferences:
1 . Friendship is an important part of our Society.
2. Invite young people, women, people from different ethnic
backgrounds, different cultures, from other under-represented
groups to a Conference meeting.
3. Before starting or renewing a Conference for diversity have
a plan in place nor only for forming, but also for sustaining such
a Conference.
INCREASE DIVERSITY IN
CONFERENCES
4. It is important to inform the pastor, seek his support, and
inform him how the Conference will operate.
5. Invitation to Serve is one of the most effective ways to form
or to renew a Conference for Diversity.
6. Members must be aware of the language of the intended
Conference members and understand cultural differences.
7. When forming diverse Conferences devote resources to
ensure that diversity is being implemented effectively.
INCREASE DIVERSITY IN
CONFERENCES
8. For Bilingual Conferences (i.e. English/Spanish), have a
simultaneous interpreter at each meeting and during different
activities, giving each member the opportunity to talk and
participate.
9. For a Foreign Language Conference (Spanish, Chinese,
Filipino, etc.) all meetings and information is to be in the
language of the group.
10. Advice where there may be opportunities to form two
Conferences - one that is English-speaking and one that is not.
 Our Lady of Mount Carmel story
REFLECT AND SHARE:
 What particularly did you find helpful in the suggestions on
Diversity? Why?
 What particularly challenges you? Why?
 What was your reaction to the final story of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel? What did you take away from the story?
CLOSING PRAYER
THE MULTICULTURAL FACE OF GOD
 Leader: In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
 All: Amen
 Leader: Let us bless the name of God
 All: Who invites us to a life of wholeness
 Leader: Let us bless the name of God
 All: Who invites us to discover the unfinished self
 Leader: Let us bless the name of God
 All: Who mediates the spirituality of transformation.
Reading: ( Matthew 19: 13-15 )