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  • Lori Pattison

National Puerto Rican Heritage Month
National Puerto Rican Heritage Month 624 587 Lori Pattison

Join us this November as we celebrate National Puerto Rican Heritage Month!

“Had we but one spark of the divine fire that consumed the heart of Jesus Christ, would we remain with our arms folded and abandon those whom we could assist”—St. Vincent de Paul.

We know that we are called to assist our neighbors in need. Yet, if we had that one spark of divine fire that consumed the heart of Christ, could we ignore and be blind to the beauty of the cultural heritages of our neighbors in need. Our neighbors may be caught up in situational or generational poverty, but their culture and history keeps them grounded and sustains them through their difficulties.

In this month of National Puerto Rican Heritage Month, let’s look at two traditional types of Puerto Rican music beyond salsa: the music of the mountains, or jibaro music, and bomba.

Take a listen to this traditional music of the people in the mountainous region of Puerto Rico by Ramito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHA_30e7eEc&list=PLygGmiBruOlf6Aw7BDr34GWA2eDp6OosP&index=10

Modern jibaro music composed by Fabiola Mendez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yJjALda0X4

The second traditional type of Puerto Rican music is bomba. Bomba is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of musical styles and associated dances originating in Puerto Rico. It was developed by enslaved Africans and their descendants in sugar plantations along coastal towns, most notably Loiza, Mayagüez, Ponce, and San Juan, during the 17th century.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXRMF2ndL2Y

Take a listen to the vibrant bomba that a group of young people played in a subway in Chicago. This version is a modern interpretation of bomba.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkK68RxqKAE&list=RDQMpRXHg7WufZY&index=7

When we look at the table of St. Vincent de Paul, those of us with eyes to see can almost see the Puerto Rican jibaro and the dancers and players of bomba at the table.

 

 

  • Lori Pattison

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 1024 512 Lori Pattison

SEPTEMBER 16 MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY 

Written by: Margarita Galindo – In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is September 15 through October 15 

The Independence of México was the process in which the former territory of New Spain, part of the Spanish empire, became an independent country. Mexico was part of the Latin American wars of Independence.

Traditionally, the celebration of this national holiday begins on September 15, when, around 11:00 p.m., the President of the Republic of Mexico gave the Cry of Independence from the National Palace and rang the bell of Dolores, the same one that rang during the harangue pronounced by the Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo, on September 16, 1810.

We, Mexicans, celebrate this National Holiday with respect and pride.

We love our homeland every day of our lives because those who do not value the place where they were born have no identity.

I am incredibly happy to be Mexican. VIVA MEXICO

Mexico celebrates this national holiday with a military parade. The Mexican president reviews the army and then he leads the parade.

In other countries, Mexicans celebrate September 16 with a parade very different from the one in Mexico.

The United States of America recognizes and celebrates the culture, history, and contributions that the Hispanic/Latino community have made to the American Society and culture.

The celebrations begin in the middle rather than the start of September because it coincides with the National Independence days in different Latin American countries. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica celebrate their independence on September 15, followed by México on September 16, Chile, September 18, and Belize, September 21.

 

EL 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE DÍA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA DE MÉXICO 

La Independencia de México fue el proceso por el que el antiguo territorio de Nueva España, que formaba parte del imperio español, se convirtió en un País Independiente. México formo parte de las guerras de Independencia.

Tradicionalmente, la celebración de esta fiesta patria empieza el 15 de septiembre, cuando —alrededor de las 23:00 horas— el presidente de la República de México da el Grito de Independencia desde Palacio Nacional y hace sonar la campana de Dolores, la misma que sonó durante la arenga que pronunció el Cura Católico Miguel Hidalgo el 16 de septiembre de 1810.

Nosotros los Mexicanos festejamos las Fiestas Patrias con respeto y orgullo.

Amamos a nuestra patria cada día de nuestras vidas porque aquel que no valora el lugar donde nació, no tiene identidad.  Yo soy muy feliz de ser Mexicana. VIVA MÉXICO

México celebra esta fiesta nacional con un desfile militar.  El presidente mexicano pasa una revisión del ejército y luego encabeza el desfile.

En otros países, los mexicanos celebran el 16 de septiembre con un desfile muy diferente al de México.

Los Estados Unidos de América reconoce y celebra la cultura, la historia y las contribuciones que los hispanos/latinos han hecho a la sociedad y la cultura estadounidense.

Las celebraciones comienzan a mediados de septiembre y no a principios de septiembre, ya que coincide con los días de la Independencia Nacional en diferentes países de América Latina: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Costa Rica celebran la suya el 15 de septiembre, seguida de México el 16 de septiembre, Chile el 18 de septiembre y Belice el 21 de septiembre.

 

 

 

  • Lori Pattison

National Council Announces New Friends of the Poor Grant Recipients
National Council Announces New Friends of the Poor Grant Recipients 150 150 Lori Pattison

We received 92 grant applications totaling $443,850.00.

There were 23 grant awards for this round totaling $66,500.00.

Through a simple application process, SVdP Conferences and District Councils can apply for up to $5,000 from the National Council’s Friends of the Poor® Fund. The Friends of the Poor® funds available to grant is normally limited to the amount raised and/or approved by the National Council budget process. Individual grant award amounts may vary from the application amount but will not exceed $5,000.

Grants are targeted to specific areas of need, above and beyond available Conference resources: assistance for rent/housing, utilities, food, clothing, medical, transportation, and baby/children needs. No systemic change or building projects.

 

Friends of the Poor® Grant Awards – August 2024
 

Conference/Council Name

  

Region

  

City, State

 Award Amount  

Purpose of Grant
Annunciation Mideast Brazil, IN $2,000.00 Food assistance
Corpus Christi St. John Neumann Mideast Cincinnati, OH $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
District Council of St. Joseph County Mideast South Bend, IN $2,000.00 Household care and hygiene items, diapers
St. Andrew the Apostle Mideast Indianapolis, IN $2,000.00 Utility assistance, food and gas cards
St. Anthony of Padua Mideast Clarksville, IN $5,000.00 Housing and utility assistance, clothing
St. Genevieve St. Maurice Mideast Livonia, MI $2,000.00 Housing and transportation assistance
St. John St. Patrick Mideast Fort Wayne, IN $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance, food vouchers
St. Joseph Mideast Hamilton, OH $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Julie Billiart Mideast Hamilton, OH $5,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Louis Mideast Owensville, OH $5,000.00 Rent, utility and transportation assistance
St. Martin of Tours Mideast Martinsville, IN $5,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Mary Mideast Franklin, KY $2,000.00 Rent, utility, food and gas assistance
St. Mary Mideast Painesville, OH $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Monica Mideast Indianapolis, IN $5,000.00 Housing assistance
St. Thomas More Mideast Troy, MI $2,000.00 Rent assistance
St. William Mideast Walled Lake, MI $2,000.00 Rent assistance, car repairs, food
Cristo Rey Midwest Lincoln, NE $2,500.00 Homelessness prevention, utility assistance
Holy Name Midwest Omaha, NE $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
Immaculate Conception Midwest Clarksville, TN $5,000.00 Homelessness prevention
Our Lady of the Lake Midwest Hendersonville, TN $2,500.00 Rent and utility assistance
Sacred Heart Midwest Crystal City, MO $2,500.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Bridget of Kildare Midwest Pacific, MO $2,500.00 Car repairs
St. John Vianney Midwest Gallatin, TN $2,500.00 Rent and utility assistance
    Total Awards $66,500.00  
  • Lori Pattison

Save the Dates! Vincentian Heritage Pilgrimage 2025
Save the Dates! Vincentian Heritage Pilgrimage 2025 293 168 Lori Pattison

Paris: September 5-13, 2025

Join fellow Vincentians to walk the streets of Paris, visiting the churches of St Vincent, St Louise, Bl. Rosalie, and Bl. Frédéric. We’ll visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, Frédéric’s beloved Sorbonne, the Rue Mouffetard, where Rosalie served the poor for 54 years, Sacré-Coeur, the tombs of all four of these Vincentian founders, and much more.

Lyon & Chatillon: September 13-15, 2025 (Optional Add-on)

In this optional add-on, we will visit the place where the Vincentian Family was born with the founding of the first Confraternity of Charity in 1617, and we will take a walking tour of Lyon, the city of Frédéric’s childhood.

 Your guides will be:

Ralph Middlecamp, 1st Vice President, International Council General

Tim Williams, Sr. Director, Formation & Leadership Development

 Sign Up to Receive More Details:

Send email to Tim Williams: twilliams@svdpusa.org

 

 

  • Pam Hudson

ANNOUNCING OUR NEXT NATIONAL COUNCIL CEO
ANNOUNCING OUR NEXT NATIONAL COUNCIL CEO 964 1102 Pam Hudson

Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters,

After an extensive nationwide search led by executive search firm BoardWalk Consulting, I am thrilled to announce that the Society has chosen its next National CEO from our own St. Vincent de Paul USA family.

Michael Acaldo, the CEO of the Diocesan Council of Baton Rouge, is our new CEO of the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

A native of Baton Rouge, Michael has been a member of the Vincentian Family since 1990.

In his tenure with the Council of Baton Rouge, Michael has led that group to incredible growth. In 1991, he oversaw the founding of the Bishop Ott Shelter Program, which has since grown to five emergency shelters serving men, women, children, and families, and which provided more than 31,000 guest nights of shelter in 2023. In 1995, he helped establish the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, the first SVdP Charitable Pharmacy in the nation. The Baton Rouge St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room served over 300,000 meals to neighbors in need in 2023. And if that weren’t enough, he’s also the creator, host, and executive producer of the SVdP Beacons of Light television show, which has been on the air since 2006.

Michael is well respected within the Society, and within the larger Catholic community. He has received various honors for his work with the Society in Baton Rouge, including receiving the Benemerenti Medal from Pope John Paul II in 2002 for service to the Catholic Church; serving as a John W. Barton, Sr. Fellow for excellence in community nonprofit leadership, also in 2002; being inducted into the Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2009; and receiving the inaugural St. Joseph’s Cathedral Community Award in 2013.

Of his new role, Michael had this to say: “I feel so blessed and honored to be chosen for this leadership position during such an exciting time in our Society’s history. Our National Board’s launching of VisionSVdP focuses on listening to every voice in our Vincentian Family, which is so powerful! I believe that the Holy Spirit will speak through Vincentians around the country, and provide a roadmap for our bright future. Plus, I cannot wait to join our talented and dedicated National Staff in St. Louis.”

On a personal note, this is a great day for the Society. Michael has been a friend and a colleague for almost 20 years and I can say without hesitation that he is an amazing leader, a consummate professional, and the kind of visionary that the Society needs to help take us into the future. Michael has a deep commitment to the essential elements of spirituality, service, and friendship. The Board of Directors and I look forward to working with Michael.

Michael received both his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and his Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University. He and Paula, his wife of 32 years, are the proud parents of adult twin daughters. They are thrilled and looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild this November.

  • Pam Hudson

Announcing Our Next National Council CEO
Announcing Our Next National Council CEO 152 152 Pam Hudson

Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters,

After an extensive nationwide search led by executive search firm BoardWalk Consulting, I am thrilled to announce that the Society has chosen its next National CEO from our own St. Vincent de Paul USA family.

Michael Acaldo, the CEO of the Diocesan Council of Baton Rouge, is our new CEO of the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

A native of Baton Rouge, Michael has been a member of the Vincentian Family since 1990.

In his tenure with the Council of Baton Rouge, Michael has led that group to incredible growth. In 1991, he oversaw the founding of the Bishop Ott Shelter Program, which has since grown to five emergency shelters serving men, women, children, and families, and which provided more than 31,000 guest nights of shelter in 2023. In 1995, he helped establish the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, the first SVdP Charitable Pharmacy in the nation. The Baton Rouge St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room served over 300,000 meals to neighbors in need in 2023. And if that weren’t enough, he’s also the creator, host, and executive producer of the SVdP Beacons of Light television show, which has been on the air since 2006.

Michael is well respected within the Society, and within the larger Catholic community. He has received various honors for his work with the Society in Baton Rouge, including receiving the Benemerenti Medal from Pope John Paul II in 2002 for service to the Catholic Church; serving as a John W. Barton, Sr. Fellow for excellence in community nonprofit leadership, also in 2002; being inducted into the Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2009; and receiving the inaugural St. Joseph’s Cathedral Community Award in 2013.

Of his new role, Michael had this to say: “I feel so blessed and honored to be chosen for this leadership position during such an exciting time in our Society’s history. Our National Board’s launching of VisionSVdP focuses on listening to every voice in our Vincentian Family, which is so powerful! I believe that the Holy Spirit will speak through Vincentians around the country, and provide a roadmap for our bright future. Plus, I cannot wait to join our talented and dedicated National Staff in St. Louis.”

On a personal note, this is a great day for the Society. Michael has been a friend and a colleague for almost 20 years and I can say without hesitation that he is an amazing leader, a consummate professional, and the kind of visionary that the Society needs to help take us into the future. Michael has a deep commitment to the essential elements of spirituality, service, and friendship. The Board of Directors and I look forward to working with Michael.

Michael received both his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and his Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University. He and Paula, his wife of 32 years, are the proud parents of adult twin daughters. They are thrilled and looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild this November.

Please join me in congratulating Michael and praying for his success in this exciting new role!

Peace and God’s Blessings,
John

 

  • Pam Hudson

Multicultural Diversity Committee Recognizes Disability Pride Month
Multicultural Diversity Committee Recognizes Disability Pride Month 150 150 Pam Hudson

By Jean Rearick, Multicultural Diversity Committee Member

During Disability Pride Month consider how Persons with Disabilities (PWD) who have a heart for serving can be welcomed and given roles where they can fulfill their Vincentian Vocation. We are creative in solving problems for our Neighbors; let’s use some of our creativity to make adaptations and accommodations that make it possible for PWD to participate as leaders and volunteers in The Society. Inclusivity may mean that a job will not be done as efficiently as before and that more effort may be required of some able-bodied members; however, Vincentians are called to serve one another as Friends in addition to serving our Neighbors.

As we implement our National Membership Recruitment Campaign themed “See the Face of Christ. Be the Face of Christ”, the Multicultural Diversity Committee of St. Vincent de Paul USA challenges you to seek out those in your parish and community who would increase the diversity of your Conference.

Reflection:

You may want to share your reflection with your Conference members at a meeting.

  1. How can we include persons of all abilities in our Conferences?
  2. What changes need to be made to our mindset in identifying roles for our volunteers?
  3. Do we prejudge the ability of new members or those we invite to join us?

 

  • Pam Hudson

Attending Meetings of National Committees
Attending Meetings of National Committees 152 152 Pam Hudson

All members of the Society are welcome to attend the regular working meetings of our National Committees, either in person or via Zoom. Only the appointed members of the committees participate in the discussions and work – all others attend as observers.

In order to attend, please follow the link below each committee description to register in advance for Zoom Meetings. In person meetings will be listed in the agendas for the National Assembly or Midyear Meeting.

Vincentian Spirituality Committee

The National Vincentian Spirituality Committee is focused on the spiritual dimension of formation, in order to encourage and support personal growth in every Vincentian’s relationship with God. The Committee provides active nourishment to all members in :

  • Personal spiritual formation
  • Devotion
  • Prayer life

The Committee supports and encourages Spiritual Advisors and leaders by:

  • Developing materials for use in Councils and Conferences
  • Establishing direct channels of communications

Register (all dates through September 2025 are listed)

Vincentian Formation Committee

The National Formation Committee supports the formation of members and leaders in the Society in the interconnected human, spiritual, intellectual, and ministerial dimensions of formation, as defined in the Society’s Foundation Document, and reflecting the fullness of Vincentian tradition. The Committee creates and provides:

  • Printed and digital materials
  • Presentations
  • Guidelines
  • Active nourishment to all members and leaders in the Society

Register (all dates through September 2025 are listed)

Hispanic-Latino Formation Subcommittee

The National Hispanic-Latino Formation Subcommittee defines priorities to properly support the Hispanic-Latino community in all aspects of Formation. The Committee will:

  • Create effective documentation, materials, and tools to ensure the intercultural expression of faith and language is reflected and emphasized.
  • Developing a plan at an accelerated pace
  • Defining the necessary resources

Register (all dates through September 2025 are listed)

Formation Renewal and Delivery Committee

The National Formation Renewal and Delivery Committee defines new and effective means, methods, and channels for the use of Formation materials and tools.

The Committee supports Regions and Councils by

  • Developing plans for teams, partnerships, and schedules.
  • Training those teams to make effective use of Formation materials

Register (all dates through September 2025 are listed)

Membership and Leadership Development Committee

The Member and Leadership Development Committee of the National Council Board of Directors is charged with defining best practices for membership growth, onboarding processes, spiritual enrichment, identifying and advancing Vincentian leadership in a society and Catholic church that is changing rapidly.

Register (all dates through September 2025 are listed)

  • Jill Pioter

See the Face of Christ. Be the Face of Christ.
See the Face of Christ. Be the Face of Christ. 439 244 Jill Pioter

Dear Fellow Vincentians,

We’ve been teasing this idea for awhile, and are proud to announce that today is the day!

Titled “See the Face of Christ. Be the face of Christ”, the National Council is kicking off a membership marketing campaign aimed at adding 10,000 new members to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul nationwide. Ten thousand may sound like an ambitious, even audacious, goal, but it really breaks down to about 2.5 new members per Conference. That sounds pretty achievable, doesn’t it? (Maybe not the .5 part, but you get the idea.)

To help make it as easy as possible for you to attract and welcome new members into the Society, we’ve created a wealth of resources aimed at making it easy for you to invite your family, friends, and fellow parishioners to join us in spirituality, service, and friendship.

Here’s a quick overview of your toolkit:

  • Digital Advertising on Facebook and Instagram from now through October. When you see the ads, like and share them to help our audience grow!
  • Organic posts, including videos and static posts, on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We’ll have content highlighting both our campaign theme and all the everyday ways Vincentians serve others to See the Face of Christ, and Be the Face of Christ. Don’t forget to Like and Share!
  • Online campaign merch store. Been looking for just the right shirt or hat to show your SVdP spirit? Check out our new campaign store! A variety of sizes, styles, and colors are available, allowing you to put your personal spin on SVdP and become a walking billboard for who we are and what we do.
  • Digital downloads. Need yard signs, banners, posters? How about flyers and prayer cards to share at your next parish ministry fair? We’ve got you covered! Visit our online merch store and download the items you want for free, then take them to your local printer. You get only the items you need, saving you time and shipping costs.
  • An updated Invitation to Serve. Now known as Creating a Culture of Welcome, this updated resource includes valuable ideas for how to invite new members into your Conference, including updated Pulpit Talk examples!
  • New videos are coming! A few short videos are already available on our campaign landing page, and you’re welcome to share these on your local social media or parish events. At National Assembly this year, we will also premiere a new brand video that can be shown locally and nationally to inspire new members.

While our aim for you is to run this campaign nationally through October 2024, remember that you can use many of these resources any time of year! We should think of welcoming new members to the Society year round, not just during parish fair season or when the workload gets too heavy. Every day is a good day to invite someone to join us!

Yours in Christ,
Dave Barringer
National CEO

  • Pam Hudson

REFLECTIONS ON NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF GAY PRIDE AND JUNETEENTH
REFLECTIONS ON NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF GAY PRIDE AND JUNETEENTH 156 148 Pam Hudson

In this month the nation celebrates Gay Pride Day and Juneteenth Day, the day the last enslaved Africans were emancipated. Let us take this moment to celebrate the openness of Pope Francis to begin the dialogue of welcoming all of God’s people at the table of God’s salvation and mercy.

In the book of Genesis, we read in the first chapter of God’s creation of the world and all the species that God had created in six days. We read that God saved the creation of humans on the sixth day, and we read that God created all humans in God’s image. All of us reflect the image of God, and Jesus commanded us at the Last Supper to have and show love for one another. St. John and St. James in their letters warn us that if we say we love God whom we cannot see and yet hate our neighbor whom we can see, then we are liars and hypocrites.

Love is of God, and Jesus was the perfect lover. Jesus welcomed sinners, the marginalized, those whom no one could love or were worth the time to show them God’s love. Jesus healed, rose those who were dead, and took time to speak of the mercy and love of God to all. Everyone was included at the table.

As Pope Francis states, “When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency [to homosexuality] is not the problem … they’re our brothers.”

He who raised the dead to life with no regard to status or station in life, commands us to do likewise—raise those who are dead in real prisons and prisons of isolation and loneliness, those who are oppressed because of differences of sexuality, those living in poverty, victims of unjust racist systems and those without homes or even countries and bring them to life in the community of God whose love is infinite and life giving.

So, in this month that celebrates differences while also challenging and questioning the true liberation of each person, we pray that we remain open to all of God’s people and their gifts and welcome all at the table of God’s community.

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The National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Inc. is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Donations to the National Council are deductible. The Council’s tax identification number is 13-5562362.

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