Bridges of Charity: Seattle and Kerala United Through Twinning
Through the International Twinning Program of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Vincentians are building bonds of faith, friendship, and service across continents. U.S. Conferences are walking in solidarity with their counterparts in countries where poverty is profound and resources are scarce. Through spiritual support and financial assistance, they are bringing Christ’s love to the most vulnerable.
One inspiring example is the twinning partnership between the St. James Conference in Seattle, Washington and the St. Mary’s Conference in Kerala, India. This relationship has blossomed into a lifeline for families in need, enabling vital charitable works in the southern region of India—an area still recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, monsoon flooding, and ongoing unemployment challenges.
With support from the St. James Conference, St. Mary’s is able to provide much-needed financial assistance for medical care, housing, education, food, and other essential needs to low-income families and elderly individuals in their parish and surrounding communities. The impact has been deeply felt on both sides of the ocean.
“The International Twinning Program has impacted us spiritually since we are twinning with a place that has a bond with one of our Conference members whose family is in India,” said Blake Steller, President of the St. James Conference. “It helps us remember that our impact goes beyond our community.”
The partnership has not only fostered a sense of global solidarity but also deepened the mission and awareness within the Seattle-based Conference. When asked if he would recommend the program to others, Steller added:
“Absolutely. Twinning helps our Conference recognize that the work we do can spread and help people abroad—it expands our understanding of what it means to serve.”
The gratitude from the St. Mary’s Conference is heartfelt and profound. N.L. Jose, Secretary of the Conference, shared this message:
“We are able to provide some badly needed financial assistance—for medical, housing, education, food, and so on—to the poor people around us with your help. We are really grateful to you for that and eagerly look forward to your continued assistance to our Conference.”
This exchange of charity, communication, and prayer continues to strengthen both communities and bear lasting fruit in the lives of those served.
If your Conference is not yet involved in Twinning, now is the time to consider forming one. Twinning transforms lives—not only of those served, but of those serving.
To learn more about starting a Twinning relationship and discover the areas of greatest need, contact the National Council or visit: https://ssvpusa.org/international-twinning
