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  • 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.”

 

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: Thrift Stores
Feature: Thrift Stores 534 712 Kristen Blacksher

Vincentian Experiences: Transactional or Relational?

By John Thelen, Executive Director of Lansing Diocesan Council
and Mike McClanahan, Director of Retail Operations of Phoenix Diocesan Council

Vincentian success stories happen throughout our country on a daily basis.

Our Vincentian encounters begin with that first call from a neighbor in need who is seeking some form of assistance from our SVdP Conference or Council.

As a Vincentian, it helps me to try to remember how hard it must be as a neighbor in need to make that first call to seek some form of assistance from SVdP. How we proceed with the initial call will help shape the story that will be told in the future about our work.

Is our Vincentian work creating “transactional” type experiences or will our actions create a “relational” experience with our neighbors in need?

Sometimes it’s easy to handle what just seems like transactions. Our neighbors are seeking a pretty straightforward request; paying a quick utility bill to prevent a shut-off or paying a landlord for a late rent payment. They can be pretty easy, quick transactions. The neighbor feels blessed to get the emergency assistance they were seeking and we as Vincentians feel good about what we were able to provide.

But is that enough?

Will the neighbor look back on their experience with our SVdP unit and see it as a transaction or will they think about it later and feel that we were invested in them as a person. Do we ask how everything else is going for them and then listen to really hear how we might be able to assist in other meaningful ways?

In my Conference, our Vincentians were fulfilling a lot of transactions. We were helping a good number of people with a good amount of money to clear up their emergency needs. As Vincentians, we felt like we were accomplishing the mission.

Over the last couple years, we have transitioned away from transactional experiences to doing more relational experiences. It has created a totally different feel among the Vincentian in our Conference. It does require additional time and follow-up with our Neighbors in Need, but certainly an investment worth making!

Ms. Cindy Teffer

To help make this more real, we would like to share Ms. Cindy Teffer’s experience with Vincentian Stephanie Wise, who is Lead Case Manager from the Phoenix, Arizona area.

 

The video shows a two-plus year experience between Cindy and Stephanie and others in the Vincentian Family.

All Conferences or Councils may not have the services available that you will see in this video, but the relationship created is what we can offer to our Neighbors in Need.

Towards the end of this short video, you will see how a pop-up thrift store at the National Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona helped put the icing on the cake for Ms. Cindy Teffer’s experience with SVdP.

Thrift Stores aren’t a necessity to provide meaningful experiences to our Neighbors in Need, but they can often times provide additional services that might not be available otherwise.

SVdP thrift stores provide meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities, and are a significant driver of the Society’s mission and effectiveness. Profits from stores contribute millions of dollars for Councils and Conferences to use in their communities. If you have questions about SVdP Thrift Stores near you or would like to explore the resources available to your Conference or Council, please go to https://thriftstores.ssvpusa.org. 

  • Kristen Blacksher

Feature: SVdP Young Adults at SEEK
Feature: SVdP Young Adults at SEEK 800 500 Kristen Blacksher

Brace Yourselves: 20,000 Young Adult Vincentians coming your way!

By Kat Brissette, National 2nd Vice President

While 20,000 new Vincentians might be a stretch, the conversations sparked at SEEK25 in Salt Lake City, Utah, hold incredible potential. With a little bit of prayer, patience, and passionate young Vincentians, this could be true!

The SEEK Conference is an annual gathering of thousands of Catholic college students seeking to deepen their faith, explore ways to live it out, and grow as leaders in the Church. SEEK features all of the most renowned Catholic Speakers, and is a time to encounter Christ, connect with peers, and experience transformation through truth, beauty, and goodness. This year, over 20,000 young adults gathered for an unforgettable experience—and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was right there in the thick of it with nine Young Adult Vincentian delegates, a standout interactive claw machine booth, and the privilege of leading an inspiring breakout session.

“It was really fun to see Priests, Nuns, Deacons and Michael Acaldo ripping it up on the dance floor right before Monsignor Shea’s keynote,” remarked Luciano from the University of Connecticut.

“It was super cool to see everyone at Mass and adoration. Everyone was enthusiastic and wanted to be there,” added Laura, one of the SVdP Emerging Leaders, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

“SEEK was amazing because there were so many people my age there who had lots of different things to share and teach me about their experiences in college or with SVdP, and we were all united in our amazing faith. The amount of energy in every room, whether at Mass, adoration, a talk given by one of the countless speakers, or Mission Way, was inspiring,” remarked Genevieve, one of the SVdP Emerging Leaders, a freshman at Elmira College.

Check out highlights from SEEK and get a glimpse of a day at the conference by visiting our social media at @svdpusa.

A Booth that Inspired: Engaging Young Adults in the Vincentian Mission

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of nine Young Adult Vincentian delegates, the Society had the privilege of hosting a vibrant booth and leading an interactive workshop that captured the hearts and minds of thousands of students. From engaging conversations at the booth to an inspiring breakout session, the Catholic faith and Vincentian spirit was alive and well, and the energy at SEEK was truly electric!

The SVdP booth became a standout attraction at SEEK’s Mission Way. Students stopped by to learn about the Society’s mission and discover how they could get involved. From our claw machine (sourced from a young adult who volunteered weekly at an SVdP thrift store, while in college) filled with awesome prizes to the powerful presence of Vincentian relics of saints like St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Catherine Laboure, the booth was alive with conversation and inspiration.

Check out highlights from SEEK and our claw machine booth and get a glimpse of a day at the conference by visiting our social media at @svdpusa.

Together the team came up with 4 key messages:

1. SVdP was founded by college students who were inspired to live out their faith through service – What are you doing to put your faith into action?

2. Young people have been at the heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, for nearly 200 years. Many saints and blesseds found their purpose as young adults through the Society – Could this be your path to Sainthood?

3. Catholics are called to serve, and through encounters with the poor, we grow in holiness. Holiness often begins with simple, compassionate acts of love, and ultimate trust in Divine providence.  – We can do more!

4. SVdP is practically everywhere, and we can support both new and existing service projects on campuses, creating a lasting impact wherever you may be. Local Vincentians can play an active role by mentoring, hosting workshops, and guiding young adults in their faith and service journey. – What are you waiting for?

“Being a delegate at SEEK was an enriching experience. One of the highlights of our time as delegates in Salt Lake City was working as a team to engage young adults and inform them about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Throughout SEEK, we not only discussed friendship, service, and spirituality with other young adults, but we experienced growing in all three Vincentian essential elements as a group,” Santina a Junior at the University of Connecticut.

Check out highlights from SEEK Day 3 and get a glimpse of a day at the conference by visiting our social media at @svdpusa.

The booth featured a special focus on “Society Saints“—including soon to be Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, Pope St. John Paul II, St. Gianna Mollo, and St. Zélie Martin. These beloved patrons found their way to sainthood through their work with SVdP.

Luciano shared: “One of my goals while working in the booth and having conversations with young adults was making people aware of the ‘incredible’ Saints who were part of the Society when they were our age. It got young adults thinking the same way Frederic Ozanam was thinking when he was challenged to put his faith into action,”

“It was such a great conversation starter, and the students were eager to dive deeper into the history and spirituality of the Society and its members,” added Francis.

Students were inspired to learn that many of these saints were once young adults, serving the poor through the Society. YYAEL even designed t-shirts for each Saint and a quote. If you are interested in ordering some, reach out to us at youngadults@svdpusa.org.

Throughout the week we hosted a Pray It Forward Challenge, inviting participants to leave a prayer intention, and carry someone else’s with them. This was a small act of kindness that everyone wanted to join in on. “We quickly started to hear of people who ended up receiving similar, but specific prayer intentions to their own. Priests, students, and other religious people would come back and share the stories with us. It was such a fruitful reminder that in this crazy world, as alone as we may sometimes feel – we are not. Not only do we have a loving God watching out for us, we are connected within this beautiful, huge Catholic family,” explained Kat, 2nd Vice President.

Putting Faith into Action: A Workshop That Made an Impact

In addition to the booth, SVdP hosted a highly successful breakout session titled “Putting Faith into Action: ‘Go to the Poor, and You Will Find God.'” This session drew nearly 1000 participants and gave students an interactive experience of the tough decisions faced by those living in poverty. Participants reflected on how to grow in holiness while serving others in their communities and on their campuses.

The session was led by National CEO Michael Acaldo, National 2nd Vice President Kat Brissette, and her brothers, Catholic College Students and Social Media Influencers, Francis and John Paul Brissette. The response was overwhelming, with many students expressing excitement to bring SVdP back to campus and getting more involved in their community.

“The workshop was a really great opportunity to expose young adults to the difficulties of living in poverty and to how SVdP serves those struggling within our own communities,” explained Luciano. For many, community service is a mandatory task or a week-long mission trip, but our goal was to share about the opportunities to take service to a new level, serving in their own backyards.  “Michael shared about SVdP’s efforts in homelessness prevention, followed by Francis and John Paul leading an interactive poverty simulation. During the simulation, although some students passionately wanted to spend money on getting a gym membership, they quickly recognized the importance of first being able to provide food for a family. The poverty simulation really opened eyes to the struggles people experience and even inspired many young adults to approach us after the workshop to discuss possibilities of starting an SVdP Conference on their college campus,” Luciano continued.

Building Lasting Connections: Engaging Young Adults in the Vincentian Mission

At SEEK, our goal was to inspire college students and campus ministers to connect more deeply with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP). We recognized that while many campuses are already involved with SVdP, there is a growing desire for more substantial engagement. Students expressed interest in starting SVdP conferences on their campuses, joining local conferences to serve the poor, and using their skills in service or employment with the Society. Our Young Leaders highlighted that SVdP can enhance and complement the service students are already doing, offering a meaningful way to put faith into action. Whether you’re an established Vincentian or someone eager to inspire young adults in your community, now is the time to get involved.

“Getting started can be the most overwhelming part, as there is a balance of understanding the intricacies of the Society as well as the intricacies of the campus community itself. It can take up to a year to get things really going on campus, as a balance is found. We are already working with a few locations that we hope to be sharing within the next couple months!” Kat explained.

We encourage both young adults and Vincentians to take action:

● Explore opportunities to connect with Catholic communities on local campuses and partner with or start SVdP initiatives.

● Find unique opportunities  for young people to use their time, talents, and skills to serve those in need – young people can make a big impact with SVdP with as little as $5, 5 hours, or 5 friends.

● To learn more about how your SVDP council or conference can create lasting connections with Catholic young adults and college campuses, Kat and the Emerging Leaders team are happy to help. The YYAEL team has been working on materials that are helpful for this process and they would love to send them your way.

For more resources and inspiration, visit our Emerging Leaders Blog:

Next year’s SEEK conference, SEEK26, promises to be even bigger and more inspiring. With three different locations—each offering unique opportunities for encounter, community, and transformation—SEEK26 is a chance for young adults to connect with the Church and each other on a deeper level. The theme for SEEK26 – “To the Heights” – invites participants to follow the example of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, a Vincentian who will be canonized this year.

Let’s continue the tradition of encountering, praying, learning, and serving together—just as the first Vincentians did.  The future of the Vincentian mission is bright, and together, we can continue to spread the flame of service and faith across campuses and parishes. If you are interested in learning more about engaging college students and young adults, reach out to us at youngadults@svdpusa.org. 

  • Julie Witzel

Conference Collaborations: Enhancing Our Network Of Charity
Conference Collaborations: Enhancing Our Network Of Charity 1198 1198 Julie Witzel

By Phoenix Diocesan Council President Shirley Smalley

In August of 1833, Leon Le Prevost, a member of the first Conference who later went on to establish the Religious Order of St. Vincent de Paul, wrote: “In this moment there is a great movement of charity and of faith…” The same could be said of our time and our place in this world. Although we are often distracted by negative forces, influences and movements, we must never lose sight of the hearts of our non-Vincentian brothers and sisters who like us long to help others. We witness that concern and compassion flow out of the actions of individuals, families, corporations, faith-based groups and civic organizations as they respond to natural disasters and other large-scale tragedies.

From the very early days of the Society, our founders understood the need to work collaboratively with the government and other organizations in order to better assist the poor and suffering. In December of 1833, the first Conference accepted the role of “Commissioners of Charity” for the administrators of the La Bienfaisance neighborhood. While our present-day Councils often enter into collaborative agreements and relationships, our local Conferences tend to function primarily in cooperation with other Conferences and Councils, seldom reaching out to other groups in their local area.

If Conferences are isolated and do not interact and cooperate with other local faith-based groups and charitable organizations, we are overlooking resources including potential volunteers who can assist us in providing assistance to our neighbors in need.  By joining forces we not only increase our ability to help others but we also engage the community and provide others with the opportunity to be actively involved in helping those in need. Additionally, our outreach efforts help spread knowledge about the Society and our mission of charity and love.

On the Conference level, most collaborative relationships do not require a formal contract but more of a mutual understanding based on agreement in protocols and policies. Identifying groups in your area should be the starting point followed by outreach and relationship-building. Such relationships should start by sharing with the group’s leaders or members our history and mission, as well as letting them know how we currently serve those in need in our community.

The process must include a two-way conversation that provides us with an understanding of who they are and how they currently serve the community. Once that relationship is built, we can begin a conversation on how we can work together to benefit the needy, always keeping in mind that we can only function within the Rule of the Society. Just as we honor who they are and their procedures and guidelines, they must honor ours. For example, potential collaborative partners need to understand early on we cannot share funds with them or any project that our members are not involved in through person-to-person contact with the poor.

When Frederic Ozanam helped to establish the Society, he envisioned a network of charity that would encompass the world. Vincentians are only part of that network. Our vocation calls us to reach out and serve beside other people of goodwill to help relieve poverty and injustice. By reaching out to them we can enhance the work of our Conferences and provide opportunities for them to join us in service to the least among us.

Such collaboration can make a huge difference. Ask yourself, “How can our Conference build relationships with other groups and churches?” With the help of others, we can do more and experience the love of Christ in those whom we serve and in those whom we serve beside.

  • Jill Pioter

Serving With Compassion: The Inspiring Work of 103 Saints Korean Catholic Center Vincentian Conference
Serving With Compassion: The Inspiring Work of 103 Saints Korean Catholic Center Vincentian Conference 225 169 Jill Pioter

In April, the PR and marketing team of the Los Angeles Council interviewed a local District President and posted the interview in their blog site. As we begin the celebration of Asian/Pacific American History month, the Multicultural Diversity Committee is sharing the work of Ken Lee, President of 103 Saints Korean Catholic Center Vincentian Conference. Thanks to Gabriel Perez and Katti Fernandez for sharing this story with us.

In the heart of Los Angeles lies the 103 Saints Korean Catholic Center Vincentian Conference — a beacon of compassion and service to those in need. Led by individuals like Ken Lee, this Conference exemplifies the spirit of charity and outreach, making a tangible difference in the lives of their neighbors in need throughout the local community.

As President of the 103 Saints Korean Catholic Center Vincentian Conference, Ken Lee oversees and coordinates all of their charitable activities. His role involves planning their outreach efforts, mobilizing volunteers, and ensuring that their resources are used effectively to help those in need in the community. Lee has actively served within the Vincentian Conference for six years. Throughout this time, he has had the privilege of collaborating with dedicated conference members and contributing to various community service initiatives.

Lee notes that the Conference focuses on providing essential support to their unhoused neighbors, including preparing and distributing meals like sandwiches and hamburgers to the hungry. Additionally, they offer essential goods and clothing based on seasonal needs, ensuring that their assistance addresses the most pressing concerns of those they serve.

Since involving young people in the activities of a parish is a challenge, Lee includes the middle and high school students from their parish in their charitable projects. He observes that they play a vital role in preparing and distributing meals, learning firsthand the value of service and the joy of helping others. This involvement fosters a sense of responsibility and charity from a young age, nurturing compassionate individuals within the community.

Lee is motivated to make a difference — even if the effort is small — to those around him. Seeing the grateful expressions on their faces each time reassures him that he needs to keep going.

Lee notes that each time he and his team deliver meals or essentials, the thankful expressions and gestures from each recipient really stick with him. He explains that it is also incredibly moving to see them step up to help other neighbors who are even more in need. This chain of kindness not only supports the community but also strengthens the bonds within it, making each act of service profoundly impactful.

    

Reflection

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

  1. What does this story about Ken Lee and the members of his Conference inspire in you as a Vincentian?
  2. Did you notice that Ken Lee attempted to meet the needs of his neighbors without judging their circumstances or predicaments? Can you and I say the same when we go on Home Visits or serve in our pantries?
  • Kristen Blacksher

Governance Update: Councils And Their Conferences
Governance Update: Councils And Their Conferences 1198 1198 Kristen Blacksher

Councils And Their Conferences

(Excerpted From Vincentian Life: Council)

This document is about Councils; yet, the starting point of this document is Conferences. Why is that? As you will see below, Councils don’t exist without Conferences and the Council’s primary role is to support the Conferences.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNCIL

This is an important principle to keep in mind: Conferences that do not want to participate with the Council have not been convinced they receive anything of value from the Council and its activities. Councils should never be formed simply for the sake of forming a Council. Councils have a particular purpose and the Conferences must understand what that is.

In the Rule that was in effect prior to 2003, there was a statement that was a clear definition of the purpose of any Council. This statement was in Part II of the Rule, Article 15:

• Councils are responsible for animating and coordinating the work of SVdP units within their respective jurisdictions.

• They serve the Conferences. All Councils are first and foremost at the service of the Conferences with a view to furthering charitable activities. Because every Council gathers information about human needs and services from a variety of sources – the community at large, as well as the Conferences – it keeps Conferences in touch with changing social problems and new programs for helping people.

• … each year, each Council obtains and compiles a consolidated annual report of all the Conferences and Councils attached to it. The Council’s report is then forwarded with any comments to the next higher Council for the preparation of the annual report of the (National) Council of the United States.

• Councils encourage initiatives and strive to bring about the establishment of Conferences, Councils and new works, and the revival of dormant or defunct Conferences.

• A Council reviews and evaluates applications for aggregation and institution that are submitted by its affiliated SVdP groups. If approved at District and Diocesan Council levels, the application is forwarded to the National Council for transmittal to the Council General (International).

• Councils organize, to the fullest possible extent, training and formation sessions for members and potential members on spiritual themes, the Vincentian vocation, and problems of social action and justice.

• To coordinate Vincentian work, Councils keep in regular contact with their Conferences and Councils and inform them of the activities of the Society.

• The Council represents its constituent units in contacts with religious and public authorities.
• Each Council determines the expected contribution (solidarity) from attached Conferences and Councils in order to meet its necessary expenses and assist needy Conference and Council groupings attached to it.

• Special works of the Society conducted by the Councils must rely on the Conferences for support, personnel and funds.

In the current Rule, these responsibilities have not changed. They are also spelled out but not in so compact a form.

The fact of the matter is that all Conferences should be aware of what the Council is doing for them. Conferences should be receiving benefits from the Council that clearly provide value to them. It is the responsibility of the Council to ensure that Conferences understand this clearly. Ultimately, it is the Conference members themselves who make up the Councils and who make the decisions in support of the Conferences.

STRONG CONFERENCES

Strong Conferences make a strong Council! It is the Council’s responsibility to assist and guide Conferences in fulfilling the mission of the Society. The best way to do this is to ensure that Conference leadership and members understand what the Society is all about, what the role of the Conference is and what is expected of members.

When Conferences get into trouble (begin to decline or get into some other difficulty), it is far better to be proactive rather than reactive. It is recommended that each Council form a Conference Resources and Concerns Committee to:

1. Promote understanding and compliance with the Rule, Bylaws and Manual;

2. Develop resources that will help Conferences to understand and fulfill their roles in the Society;

3. Provide training materials for Conference leadership;

4. Monitor Conference activity and act to assist Conferences who are in trouble;

5. Promote and assist in establishing new Conferences;

6. Assist in revitalizing existing Conferences, where needed; and

7. Mediate Conference concerns where needed.

A well-formed Conference Resources and Concerns Committee can monitor Conference activities and offer many aids to make a Conference more effective.

MONITOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The following special conditions should be monitored regularly and addressed as necessary:

1. Conference President’s term of office is limited to two consecutive three-year terms. After the two terms, the President must be out of office for at least three years before being elected once again. Technically, as soon as the six years expires, the President is no longer in office and the Conference operates under the leadership of the first Vice President until the election of a new President. In the case of violation of this rule, the Council must ensure that an election is held to replace the outgoing President as soon as possible.

2. Each Conference is to have at least four officers: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Each office must be held by a separate person. No one person may hold multiple officer positions. In addition, Statute 12 of Part III of the Rule indicates that a President must not appoint his/her spouse or other closely related individual to an officer position.

3. Service area comes into conflict often within the Society. The District Council should ensure that Conferences provide service only to those people living within the boundaries established for the Conference. These boundaries should be established as a formal agreement between the Conferences in the Council. In some cases, the boundaries will simply be the parish boundaries. In other cases the boundaries may be more extensive, as long as they are agreed upon by the Council. This way, people seeking service cannot simply go from Conference to Conference seeking help. The Conference covering the area where that person or family lives is the one that makes the decision as to help or not help.

A second excerpt from the “Conferences” section of Vincentian Life: Council will appear next week.

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