On December 1 ^st, St. Anthony de Padua graciously hosted the annual Vincentian Gathering. The St. Vincent de Paul Society was honored to have Sheila Gilbert the National President of St. Vincent Paul and Bishop Rhoades in attendance for the event.

 

As an organization-both on the local and national level-we believe we are called to do more than meet the immediate needs of the poor in our community. As Anne Watson Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society stated in her fiscal year recap, "Our goal is to have a robust slate of programs to help people not need us anymore." Sheila Gilbert added, "I believe that God is calling us to engage more personally with the people that we serve: to walk with them as they are journeying in poverty and as they are walking out of poverty."

 

One way to engage more personally is through our upcoming "Invitation to Serve" campaign. This campaign will be launched at the parish level with the aim of encouraging people to volunteer by serving in one of our resale stores, by hosting a food drive, by volunteering at the SVDP Center, or by donating.

 

This Invitation to Serve is especially important as Pope Francis has just launched the Jubilee Year of Mercy. On this subject, Bishop Rhoades said, "Pope Francis is calling all of us during the Jubilee Year of Mercy to rediscover the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. As Catholics are encouraged to do this, I hope and pray that many, including young adults, will join the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a society dedicated to the works of mercy."

 

So as we look forward to this next year, we strive to engage more personally with each person we serve, but we also look back on this year with gratitude for all that you've helped us accomplish.