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  • Kristen Blacksher

Feeding Hope: A Vincentian Connection from California to Morelos with International Twinning
Feeding Hope: A Vincentian Connection from California to Morelos with International Twinning 843 632 Kristen Blacksher

Feeding Hope: A Vincentian Connection from California to Morelos

Through the International Twinning Program of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Vincentian communities form bonds of faith and charity that transcend borders. One inspiring example is the partnership between the St. Clement Conference in Hayward, California, and the Centro Vicentino de Morelos, operated by the Council of Region IV in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

The Centro Vicentino runs three essential projects: Nutrition, Education, and Community Support, which serve more than 450 families each month. Through these programs, families receive basic food pantry items to ensure they have meals at home. Additionally, the Center prepares and distributes hot meals daily, both on site and outside hospitals, providing nourishment to the families of patients who often face difficult circumstances.

This compassionate service goes beyond addressing physical needs, offering hope, dignity, and spiritual comfort to those served. The ongoing partnership with St. Clement Conference has strengthened the Center’s capacity, allowing it to reach even more vulnerable individuals and communities.

More than just financial support, this twinning relationship is a shared journey of prayer, communication, and commitment to service. The impact resonates deeply on both sides of the border. Families in Cuernavaca receive vital assistance and hope, while the members of St. Clement Conference experience spiritual renewal as they witness the power of solidarity.

If your Conference is not yet part of the Twinning Program, now is the time to consider joining. Twinning transforms lives, not only of those receiving help but also of those who serve.

To learn more about starting a Twinning relationship and discover the areas of greatest need, visit:
https://ssvpusa.org/international-twinning

 

  • Kristen Blacksher

Grant Opportunity from Holy Spirit SVdP Conference
Grant Opportunity from Holy Spirit SVdP Conference 605 430 Kristen Blacksher

Grant Opportunity from Holy Spirit SVdP Conference

In February 2025, Holy Spirit SVdP Conference of Huntsville, Alabama received a very large gift from the estate of one of their parishioners, John Butas. John grew up as an orphan in Montreal and was taken in by the Daughters of Charity. This gift shows he has never forgotten his heritage.  It was John’s wish that this money be spread as widely as possible within the worldwide SVdP family and that each gift be used to help a maximum number of people according to their situation.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences and Councils in the United States have the opportunity to apply for this grant, and funds will be distributed over the next 1-2 years.

Holy Spirit SVdP Conference Board has set up a specific grant protocol for disbursing the funds. Please follow the instructions below:

  1. Download and fill out this 2-page project application form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14NRWxxenaPUZjVDujkZ9nxwMX2QQMVBZ/view?usp=sharing.
  2. After downloading and filling out this form, submit it by email to svdp.hsv.hs@gmail.com. Please make sure there is sufficient contact information on the form so you can be reached with questions. Applicants should be in good standing as an SVDP Conference and/or Council and have 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.
  3. A special committee will then approve or table the submitted project. This special committee was created specifically to review projects and is independent of the Conference Board of Directors.
  4. The Holy Spirit Conference Board of Directors will then make the final decision, and a check will be placed in the mail if the project is approved.

As you are choosing your projects, please keep in mind that the Holy Spirit Conference’s intent is to honor John Butas and his wishes to choose projects that will help as many people as possible, as opposed to gifts that only help one individual. Holy Spirit Conference leadership wants to consider projects that have a wide impact and create systemic change. From an accounting perspective, consider this a grant request.

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Young Vincentian Excellence Awards
Feature: Young Vincentian Excellence Awards 2160 1440 Kristen Blacksher

Young People in the Spotlight for the 2025 Young Vincentian Excellence Awards

By Linda Roghair, National Vice President of Youth, Young Adults & Emerging Leaders 

 

A Society-wide search for young people doing amazing work in their community is happening now.

Vincentians from across the U.S. are invited to nominate emerging young Vincentian servant leaders from their Conferences, Councils, and Special Works for two Young Vincentian Excellence Awards which will be presented at the National Assembly in Louisville, KY in August.

We are asking Vincentians to nominate a young person who serves the Society in their community, embodies servant leadership, and has a passion towards the Vincentian Charism. Nominations are open now until May 15, 2025.

Submission Requirements

  • Nominees must be involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USAin some capacity (ie. Youth Conference, Youth University Conference, Adult Conference, Special Works, etc.).
  • Age groups: Youth 16-18 (High School) or Youth University (18-University age), and Young Adults (18-40)
  • Include photos, volunteer logs, etc. if possible
  • Nomination Form must be submitted via email to: YYAEL@svdpusa.org by May 15, 2025. Please include your Conference President, Council President, NCM & Regional Vice President when submitting a nomination.

Award recipients will be gifted a paid trip to participate in the 2025 National Assembly in Louisville, KY (August 28 – 30). Award recipients must commit to attending the National Assembly in order to receive the award.

Last year’s award winner Sarah of the Madison Wisconsin St. Vincent de Paul Youth Service Council had this to say:

“For me being a Vincentian means actively growing in my faith through allowing the grace of incarnational charity to fuel impactful service and beautiful friendships. Winning the Young Vincentian Excellence Award allowed me the opportunity to attend the National Assembly and connect with the Society on a larger scale. I am especially grateful for becoming a member of the YYAEL Team since this amazing group of passionate young people keep me connected to the Society while I am at a college with no current SVdP presence.”

Last year’s award winner Zoie Roghair of the Sioux Falls St. Michael Conference had this to say:

“I am grateful for what this award represents—opportunity, future growth, and community,” said Zoie Roghair of the Sioux Falls St. Michael Conference. “The award and Society have opened many doors for servant leadership, advocacy for the voiceless, friendships, and increasing the involvement of Youth and Young Adults. It is something I will cherish forever.”

Do you know a young person who serves the Society in their community, embodies servant leadership, and has a passion towards the Vincentian Charism? Please submit a completed form and any supplemental material to YYAEL@svdpusa.org by May 15, 2025.

 

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Annual Reporting is an Essential Membership Requirement
Feature: Annual Reporting is an Essential Membership Requirement 800 800 Kristen Blacksher

SVdP Annual Reporting is an Essential Membership Requirement

By Pam Hudson Johnson, National Director of Membership Services

Annual reporting is an essential requirement for all Councils and Conferences.

On May 1st at 11:59pm, the final deadline for online Annual Reports data entry closes (that is midnight tonight!). All Councils and Conferences must submit an annual report.

Why Annual Reporting is So Important:

Accountability and Compliance: The annual reports help maintain proper record-keeping and compliance with the requirements of our tax-exempt status.

Solidarity and Income Calculation: The current formula is based on income shown in the annual reports.  If a Council or Conference does not submit an annual report, it causes significant delays in the solidarity process.

Budgeting and Operations: Delays in reports cause delays in the budgeting process and affect the operations of the National Council.

Conference Annual Reports are due by November 30; District Council Reports by December 31; and (Arch)Diocesan Council Reports by January 31. Any reports not entered before midnight must be submitted in paper form.

Each year our national consolidated annual report publication is shared with our members nationally and internationally, U.S. Bishops, donors and contributors, elected officials and many more of the great works the Society is doing in the U.S. to serve our neighbors in need. This is our way of telling our story, and the good work we are doing to serve our neighbors in need to alleviate poverty in our communities. Find a copy of the 2022-2023 National annual report here.

To better understand the reporting structure, based on our formal structure, please see details below:

  1. For those dioceses which have an Archdiocesan or Diocesan Council: This is based on the formal structure of the Society – not on your legal name. Some Councils have improperly called themselves a Diocesan Council even though they are really a District Council. An Archdiocesan Council or a Diocesan Council has District Councils reporting to it. An Archdiocesan Council or a Diocesan Council has NO Conferences reporting directly to it.

An Archdiocesan Council or a Diocesan Council will provide multiple reports as appropriate. At a minimum, it will provide the (Arch)Diocesan Council Data, the Consolidated Districts Report and the Consolidated Conferences Report. In addition, if the (Arch)Diocesan Council operates any stores, it will provide a single store report for each store. If the (Arch)Diocesan Council operates any Special Works, it will provide a single Special Work Report for each separate Special Work.

  1. For all District Councils: This applies to every District Council regardless of whether they belong to an Archdiocesan Council or a Diocesan Council or are simply a standalone District Council. A District Council has Conferences reporting directly to it.

A District Council will provide multiple reports as appropriate. At a minimum, it will provide the District Council Data and the Consolidated Conferences Report. In addition, if the District Council operates any stores, it will provide a single store report for each store. If the District Council operates any Special Works, it will provide a single Special Work Report for each separate Special Work.

  1. For all Conferences: At a minimum, a Conference will provide the Annual Conference Report. In addition, if the Conference operates any stores, it will provide a single store report for each store. If the Conference operates any Special Works, it will provide a single Special Work Report for each separate Special Work.

Things to Know and Common Misconceptions:

-Some regions have believed new Councils and Conferences do not need to submit reports in their first year, but this is incorrect. All Councils and Conferences must submit an annual report each year.

-All Vincentians are accountable for the work they do and they are required, at all levels, to do proper record keeping. Remember that the key to good reporting is keeping good records throughout the reporting year [i.e., monthly and quarterly reporting].

-The National Council does not require quarterly report filings. Conference quarterly reports are provided by the national office as a courtesy for completion by Conferences at the request of their District Councils.

If you have any questions regarding annual reporting, contact Pam Hudson Johnson, National Director of Membership Services at phudson@svdpusa.org  or (314) 576-3993 extension 214. We are One Society!

  • Kristen Blacksher

Bridges of Charity: Seattle and Kerala United Through International Twinning
Bridges of Charity: Seattle and Kerala United Through International Twinning 680 510 Kristen Blacksher

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

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Weaving Bonds and Building Community
Feature: Weaving Bonds and Building Community 1906 1071 Kristen Blacksher

Weaving Bonds and Building Community

By Pam Matambanadzo, SVdP Chicago area

We “make no distinctions in those we serve because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.”

We follow in the footsteps set by Blessed Frédéric so many years ago, journeying towards holiness and building on generations before us. Now that we have accepted the baton, we need to pass it on to others so that we can reinforce the strength of the baton. Our challenge is that the world has changed and evolved but our ways have lagged. Our parish communities no longer look like they did 20 or 40 years ago. We hold on to the ways we have been operating even when our efforts are not bearing fruit.

Change is hard. How do we make sure that as we journey together our legacy, like Blessed Frédéric , will inspire diverse Vincentians for generations to come?

Striving for diversity within the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is not just a reflection of societal values, but also a strategic approach to better fulfill our mission. By mirroring the diversity of both Catholic parishioners and the communities they serve, SVdP ensures a more inclusive, culturally competent, and effective response to the challenges of poverty.

Our efforts need to reflect the diversity of both those in the pews, as well as those attending Mass at different time slots to ours. Our awareness should also be inclusive of the broader communities we serve, extending beyond ethnicity and encompassing age and economic diversity. We need to ask ourselves this: Are we “enabling each person to participate actively in the Church’s mission according to his or her own charism and vocation”? Here are four areas that we should contemplate:

Inclusivity and Representation

  • Fellow Parishioners: The global Church is a community that spans a rich tapestry of cultural, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds. Mirroring this diversity ensures that we, as an organization, are inclusive and representative of the broader Catholic community, fostering a sense of belonging among parishioners.
  • Communities Served: Those who seek assistance from us come from various backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the broader society. By embracing diversity within our own ranks, the Society ensures that our members can better relate to and understand the unique needs of those we serve, fostering trust and creating a more empathetic and effective support system.

Cultural Competence

  • Understanding Different Perspectives: A diverse membership brings a range of perspectives, experiences, and cultural competencies. This diversity allows us to approach issues with a more nuanced understanding, ensuring that our services are culturally sensitive and relevant to the diverse needs of the communities we serve. Encountering them where they are. When stocking our pantries, are we providing food for the communities we are serving, or are we guided by our own lived experience? Culturally, we each have different comfort foods.
  • Communication and Outreach: We have always prided ourselves on our ability to tailor services based on the needs of the person in front of us. Different communities will have unique challenges and require tailored approaches. Having a diverse membership allows us to communicate effectively and engage with a wider audience, breaking down potential cultural and linguistic barriers that might hinder outreach efforts. Have we explored growth potential locally — even if we may need to accommodate other languages?

Young and Economic Diversity

  • Attracting a New Generation of Vincentians: Embracing young members ensures the longevity and sustainability of the Society’s mission. By involving younger members, the organization can benefit from fresh perspectives, technological savvy, and a passion for social justice, helping to adapt and evolve its services to meet changing community needs. Are we open to changing our meeting times to accommodate younger members with work and family commitments?
  • Economic Diversity: Economic challenges affect individuals and families across various demographics. A diverse member base, including individuals from different economic backgrounds, can bring a more comprehensive understanding of the issues related to poverty and inequality. This can lead to more effective strategies for addressing these challenges at both the individual and systemic levels.

Building a Stronger Community 

  • Collaboration and Unity: A diverse group of members fosters collaboration and unity within the organization. When individuals from diverse backgrounds work together towards a common goal, it strengthens the sense of community within community and society as a whole.
  • Inspiring Others: Seeing a diverse group of members actively engaged in service to the People of God can inspire others to join our chosen vocation. This can lead to a snowball effect, encouraging more people from various backgrounds to participate, broadening the organization’s impact and reach.

The Multicultural Diversity Committee is committed to “End Poverty Through Systemic Change” with a laser focus on removing all barriers associated with discrimination of any kind through education, awareness, and compassion. The committee holds a monthly Zoom call to encourage Vincentians to advocate for justice in their local community. Learn more information at https://members.ssvpusa.org/diversity. 

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Formation & The Vincentian Digital Pathway
Feature: Formation & The Vincentian Digital Pathway 1839 510 Kristen Blacksher

A Lifelong Journey of Becoming

By Tim Williams, Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development

“When I am formed,” a frustrated young Frédéric Ozanam asked, “When will that be?” Many of us may share his confusion. We attend the Ozanam Orientation, which we know is formation, and then, satisfied that we have checked off our “formation” box we find ourselves instead constantly invited to more and more “formation”! So, what is formation, exactly?

The primary purpose of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is our own growth in holiness, our seeking to become, as Christ calls us to be, “perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Attaining holiness, or perfection, is not the work of one seminar or workshop – it is a lifelong journey of becoming.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a true lay vocation, a special way of being Catholic, a special pathway for us to follow on our journey: the Vincentian Pathway. On this pathway, we are formed in four different dimensions.

  • Our Human Formation is focused on our behavior, beginning with our virtues. We study and try to practice our Vincentian Virtues of simplicity, humility, gentleness, selflessness, and zeal, knowing that we may become by doing. Just as one becomes a builder by building, we may become humble by practicing humility. And all of these virtues in service of the greatest virtue of love, are practiced in our person-to-person service of the poor.
  • Our Spiritual Formation, most importantly, is shared. No one is saved alone, as we are taught, and in turn, you cannot be a Vincentian without other Vincentians. We are created to live in communion, and to help lead each other to holiness. As our Rule puts it, we grow in holiness together. This growth is fed, informed, and enriched by our regular spiritual reflections at Conference meetings, by attending Mass together, and by our life of prayer, individual and shared.
  • Our Intellectual Formation connects our minds and our hearts. It includes reading to help us learn more about our heritage and our traditions, and training to help us better understand the changing face of poverty and systemic change, and to be better servant leaders.
  • Finally, our Ministerial Formation draws us to truly live this vocation, to make our service to the poor and to each other not merely a thing that we do, but a thing that we are. In our ministerial formation, we are open to all opportunities to serve, including servant leadership.

If you are perfect, your formation is complete! For the rest of us, the National Formation Committee, chaired by Marge McGinley, tries to provide a wide variety of resources to help each Council, each Conference, and each member to follow the path in a way that best suits their own calling, interests, and charisms.

A good starting point for all is the Vincentian Digital Pathway, introduced last year. Here, you can begin wherever you wish, and explore the documents, videos, pictures, and books collected there. You will find that the links will take you into other subject areas, sometimes areas you did not realize were so closely connected. In the Digital Pathway, you do not have to know what you are looking for – just jump in and find what speaks to you, without trying to “check every box”!

If you are brand new to the Society, or you haven’t been to an Ozanam Orientation in a while, you might want to start with the “Introduction to the Society” video. View it alone, or better yet, with other members so you can pause and discuss it.

Are you looking for an even deeper dive? For Servant Leaders, the Society offers a unique and very special retreat twice a year called Invitation for Renewal. For all members, you can take online course through the Ozanam Institute.

Each Region also has a formation team, and in turn each Council has one, too. In the Conference, it is the Spiritual Advisor who is primarily responsible for guiding (and sharing in) the formation of members. These teams of Formators and Spiritual Advisors put together workshops, training, retreats, formation plans, and more not acting as professors or priests, but as fellow Vincentians, walking the pathway alongside us, all of us growing in holiness together.

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Membership Services & Aggregation
Feature: Membership Services & Aggregation 2560 1920 Kristen Blacksher

Aggregation: Your Official Enrollment into the Vincentian Family

By Pam Hudson Johnson, National Director of Membership Services

SVdP’s Rule and practices require that Conferences and Councils take the necessary steps to become membered into the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This process of becoming membered as a Conference is known as aggregation. The process of membership as a Council is known as institution.

The National Council strongly urges Conferences and Councils to review your official status. If you find that you have not been formally accepted into the Society internationally, please take immediate steps to rectify that oversight.

Photo: SVdP Georgia’s Wall of Aggregation

How do I know that my Conference has been Aggregated?

When you are formally recognized as an official SVdP entity in solidarity and adherence to the Rule, your Conference will receive a Letter of Aggregation, or your Council will receive a Letter of Institution.

New Conferences are eligible to apply for aggregation after one year operation, filing an annual report and contributing to solidarity. Councils do not have a waiting period and can apply for institution immediately after formation.

The National Council office is pleased to announce the recent arrival of 26 Letters of Aggregation and 6 Letters of Institution all dated December 15, 2024 from the International Council. Applications from around the world are processed and there is a 6-9 month delay in receiving the certificates.

History of Aggregation

From the very beginning, Society members wanted to retain the closeness of brotherhood, and as such, they were hesitant about subdividing and forming numerous Conferences. When they realized the need for additional Conferences, they wanted to preserve a sense of common unity and solidarity with one another. To preserve this unity and solidarity, official enrollment in the Vincentian family has always remained a function of the Council General itself. The Council General established the application process and announces new affiliations.

In the Manual page 27 and throughout the Rule (Sec 1.3.8; Sec 2.6 & Sec 3 Statute 6) you will find an official definition and explanation of the process of aggregation for Conferences and institution for (Arch) Diocesan Councils and Districts.

Benefits of Aggregation

Once your Conference is aggregated or your Council is instituted, you will be eligible for participation in national programs such as Friends of the Poor® and Systemic Change grants and Certificates of Appreciation.

Is your Conference aggregated, and Council instituted? To learn more, contact Membership Services at membership@svdpusa.org.

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Voice for the Poor
Feature: Voice for the Poor 2560 1755 Kristen Blacksher

Be a Voice for the Poor

By Steve Uram, National Director of Poverty Programs

When you think about “calls to action” you may think about SVdP’s national advocacy committee, Voice for the Poor.

For over 23 years, the Voice For the Poor Committee has been the advocacy arm of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, identifying issues that are critical to those living in poverty and need, and bringing attention to the issue to reduce or eliminate poverty.

“Before joining Voice for the Poor, I would be discouraged and powerless when we see the needs increasing – with lack of food for children, lack of housing for families, and the homelessness crisis,” said Dorothy (Dot) O’Connor, Voice for the Poor, West Region.  “But now that I’m engaged with Voice for the Poor and learning to trust in God, I’ve seen firsthand that we really can make a difference, and I’m engaging in ways that I wouldn’t have had the courage to engage in…I believe that the people who make decisions at the local, state, and federal levels will remember our stories, and feel confident the work of Voice of the Poor will bring change.”

For nearly 20 years, Vincentians across the country have utilized our E-Advocacy platform to write letters to their federal legislators. Our platform allows Vincentians to communicate easily with their elected officials on policies that affect, and hopefully transform, the situations of our neighbors in need. The platform can also be leveraged for Councils and Archdiocesan Councils to conduct advocacy campaigns at the state level. Recently, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan and Kentucky have conducted state advocacy campaigns. You can take part in our current campaign asking Congress to prioritize families in poverty when crafting the federal budget. Take action at https://ssvpusa.org/take-action.

The SVdP USA National Council also works in concert with other national Catholic organizations such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities, Catholic Rural Life, and other faith-based organizations to send letters to Congress and the president to support issues such as funding for SNAP, housing, child tax credits, and FEMA funding. Your advocacy is as important as the rent or utility assistance you provide to your neighbor.

“Collaboration takes a lot of work, but it’s often worth the effort. We can do more with others than we can do alone,” said Bobby Kinkela, Voice for the Poor, National Committee Chair.

Adding our collective Vincentian voice to others amplifies our ability to advocate for our neighbors. Their expertise and new ideas are great to share with other Vincentians.

The Voice for the Poor committee, along with several National Council staff and Board members, attended the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) in Washington D.C. Jan 25-29, 2025.

At CSMG, SVdP National President John Berry gave a keynote address to the audience, saying the time was right to take a bold approach to highlighting the causes of homelessness and the steps that can be taken to reduce the number of people who are unhoused. Several Voice for the Poor members also led breakout sessions on human trafficking and homelessness prevention and sat on expert panel discussions throughout the 4-day gathering. 

 Hear what Voice for the Poor members said about their experience at CSMG:

Dorothy (Dot) O’Connor, Voice for the Poor, West Region, said this: “My faith has increased exponentially. In my experience in the last 9 months, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a team that lives the Vincentians’ hallmark of the sanctification of its members. As a first-time attendee, I was in awe of the CSMG conference. I was inspired by my colleagues, who were there to advocate for people in need. And I also had the honor of advocating in the Capitol, which was exhilarating. I saw the compassion and kindness of the people there, and I was inspired. It was an emotional event, and I don’t think I will forget what I saw. With more than 500 people in attendance, each speaker was a powerful, positive force of good. I experienced a level of spiritual connection with the people around me that I’ve never encountered before. I met interesting people all doing work to help those we serve, learned new things, and I feel grateful to have been a part of it.”

Michael J Sylvester, Voice for the Poor, North Central Region said this: “I had a very good experience at CSMG.   The liturgies were really uplifting and reminded me of the universality of our Church that can accommodate the many cultural influences we have from the music of the Taize’ community to music rooted in the African-American experience.  They nourished my spirituality, and growing in holiness is the primary objective of our Vincentian vocation.  The presentations were thoughtful and filled with useful information.  I hope they will help me to better see Christ in others as I try, sometimes unsuccessfully, to be Christ to others.  I particularly enjoyed the presentation by Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima, who delivered an inspiring message of hope.  Finally, it was great to be able to exercise our advocacy skills with staff from the offices of my U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative.  As an added benefit, I was able to connect with participants from a parish within my diocese whose members are primarily Hispanic who want to organize a St. Vincent de Paul Conference.  Our diocesan Council is reaching out to further explore their interest.”

Matthew St. John Harris, Voice for the Poor, Mountain Region, said this: “I had a great experience.  The two people with whom I went to the Halls of Congress were a monsignor and a gentleman from Catholic Charities.  The monsignor had multiple generational ties to the state of Colorado though he was a pastor in the DMV so it was great to learn his take on things as a fellow Coloradan.  The gentleman from Catholic Charities was originally from Puerto Rico and had worked with the previous Representative of the Commonwealth.  As a result of pairing with him I was able to visit the Commonwealth’s House of Representative office. We attempted to visit both Senate and all House of Representative offices for Colorado to drop off CSMG packets which was rather rewarding.  Meeting staff gives one an opportunity to express what he or she believes. I hope to do this again.”

Bobby Kinkela, Voice for the Poor, National Committee Chair said this: “As part of the planning committee for Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, it was great to see the Holy Spirit bring it all together and have affects I did not intend.  I knew it was important to tell Voice for the Poor Vincentians to attend and the benefits, what I didn’t know is a regional vice president would tell everyone about it at their regional meeting during national assembly and get a group of college aged Vincentians to attend!  I knew that it was important to network with other Catholics, I didn’t know that I would find a large number who already have DC offices and are willing to help network with us as we build our own DC office!  I knew we were opening a DC office, but I didn’t know the DC office announcement would coincide with CSMG!  I knew we were doing lots of breakout sessions with Vincentians; I didn’t know how those networks would help us later or the effect it would have on people!  I knew John Berry would be at CSMG; I didn’t know he would speak and give an electric charged call to change our world with courage and hope!  The Holy Spirit is certainly alive and well and active at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering and it was an honor to be part of it all.”

If you would like to get involved in the Voice for the Poor committee and learn how to advocate for the voiceless in your community, or leverage our E-advocacy website for state or local issues, please reach out to Steve Uram with the National Council.

SVdP Poverty Programs consist of the Homelessness Prevention Committee, the Poverty Action Committee, the Voice for the Poor and the following shared interest groups: Reentry, Workforce Development, Housing, and Getting Ahead.

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: International Twinning
Feature: International Twinning 351 264 Kristen Blacksher

Thanks to International Twinning, 26 indigenous children have quality education and nutritious food

Through International Twinning, Vincentians in the United States are sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those in need, building shelters for families, caring for the sick and elderly, clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s International Twinning program promotes financial resource sharing, mutual spiritual support, and cross-cultural friendships by connecting U.S. Conferences with Vincentian Conferences in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean that lack the means to conduct local works of charity.

One such example is the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Mary Cathedral of Colorado Springs, CO, who twins with the San Vicente de Paul Conference Medalla Milagrosa, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

The St. Mary Cathedral Conference sends financial support for the Rarámuri Integrity Institute, a boarding school serving the indigenous Rarámuri children of the Sierra Tarahumara. The Sierra Tarahumara mountain region has the poorest municipality in Mexico, so basic necessities such as food, blankets, clothing, and medicine are desperately needed, in addition to education.

The boarding school is attended by 26 indigenous children, some with educational gaps and others who do not speak Spanish. Work is done to support the children by providing the students with basic education and offering a variety of nutritious foods. 

“We are very happy to see our contributions are helping [these] children get an education, nourishment, a roof over their head and clothing they would not have on their own,” said Lionel Rivera with St. Mary Cathedral Conference. “We feel we have a great partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society Miraculous Medal Conference of Monterrey.”

In addition to helping the children at the Institute, members of the Medalla Milagrosa Conference deliver dinners to homeless individuals, and collect and distribute winter clothing and shoes to those in need.

The Vincentian members of the San Vincente de Paul Conference Medalla Milagrosa also communicated this: “We thank God for this opportunity to collaborate in the construction of His kingdom and each one of you for the collaboration that you send us and thus extend networks of love and solidarity with those most in need.”

If you are inspired to begin a twinning program at your SVdP Conference, and you’d like to know what the greatest needs are of our brothers and sisters in the Americas, contact Valeria Vlasich at the National Council for more information.

“The entire [St. Mary Cathedral] Conference has been impacted in a very positive way,” said Lionel Rivera. “We are all very grateful to have the opportunity to provide an education to the children in rural Mexico. It’s a blessing to be able to strengthen our hope in making a difference, not only here but in other countries too.”

 

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