June 12, 2026 Weekly Newsletter

As part of the nationwide America 250 celebration, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago will be holding a “USA 250 Celebration Raffle” featuring:

Stars, Stripes & Summer Celebration Basket

and

Split the Pot Raffle

The Stars, Stripes & Summer Celebration Basket includes:

• $200 Jewel-Osco Gift Card

• Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn Tin

• Patriotic summer décor and entertaining items

• Summer snacks and treats

Fundraiser Timeline:

• Raffle sales begin Friday, June 5, 2026

• In-store raffle ticket sales will end Tuesday, June 30, 2026

• The raffle drawing will take place on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 via Facebook

• Winners do not need to be present to win

Stores hours at both locations: Monday-Saturday 9a to 7p and Sunday 9a to 5p

Link to online sales: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/society-of-st-vincent-de-paul-archdiocese-of-chicagos-usa-250-celebration-raffle

Good luck!

UPCOMING FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

(Click on Appropriate Flyer Below for More Information)

Conference Officer Training

June 22 (VP & Secretary)

June 23 (Treasurer)

Conference Guidelines

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Monday, July 20, 2026

(All sessions are identical)

Ozanam Orientation

(In-Person Workshop)

St. Frances of Rome

July 18, 2026

To sign up for training, contact Mike Syslo at mike@svdpchicago.org

Mark Your Calendars

Annual Memorial Mass and Awards Ceremony

Sunday, September 27, 2026

St. Damian

5250 W. 155th Street

Oak Forest, IL

Time: TBD

Our Annual Memorial Mass and Awards Ceremony is just over three months away, and we are already looking forward to gathering for what promises to be a meaningful and memorable afternoon together.

If you would like to nominate someone for an award, submit the name of a loved one to be remembered during the Memorial Mass, or RSVP for the event, please click the appropriate link below.

Please note that all award nominations and In Remembrance submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Elvia at (773) 779-6700, ext. 107 or elvia@svdpchicago.org

Where Love Becomes Flesh: A Vincentian Reflection on the Works of Mercy

Our FamVin formation team created a Vincentian reflection on the works of mercy to help deepen our understanding and commitment to them as members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. For the next 15 weeks, we will focus on each of the 14 works of mercy the Gospel presents to us.

Mercy as the Heartbeat of the Gospel

Mercy is the radiant core of the Gospel. In the Scriptures, we find a God who abounds in compassion, who hears the cry of the poor, who heals the brokenhearted, and who invites His followers to do likewise. Jesus, in the parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25), leaves no room for ambiguity: what we do to the least of our brothers and sisters, we do to Him.

The Church has traditionally summarized the corporal and spiritual responses to human suffering in what are called the Works of Mercy. These fourteen actions—seven corporal and seven spiritual—have been lived and promoted by saints and communities throughout the centuries. They are not optional, rather they are constitutive elements of Christian discipleship. St. Vincent de Paul, the great apostle of charity, did not merely encourage acts of mercy—he organized them, systematized them, and consecrated his life to them.

4. Shelter the Homeless

Homelessness is one of the most visible signs of exclusion. St. Vincent founded homes, hospices, and shelters—physical spaces of welcome and humanization. For Vincentians, it’s not enough to give temporary shelter, rather we must ask: why is there homelessness in the first place?

Food for thought:

• Who are the “unwelcome” in my neighborhood?
• Do I support initiatives that fight housing injustice?
• Am I creating a culture of hospitality?



Prayer

God of Refuge,

Be a home for the homeless.

Let my heart be a place of welcome,

my hands builders of shelter,

and my voice a cry for housing justice.

Amen.

Why I Said Yes

Joan Czerlanis

District II President

The timing was right! For several years I noticed members of my parish, St. John Brebeuf, Niles, Il, going to meetings in the Parish Office. They were so faithful and kept meeting every week. I learned they belonged to the SVDP Society and met to help those in need in our parish.

One of their members was Uncle Pete Zonsius. I knew him as a most generous man who daily went to the inner city to see who he could help. He regularly visited the homeless, families in poverty and children in school.

The year was 2002. Now he invited me to join the group. Twice I had to decline because I was taking care of my elderly parents. When they passed there was no reason not to investigate his offer and learn what was going on behind closed doors. The real bonus is that my husband, Bob, also joined the Society. There were so many ways we could work together and serve others.

We went to meeting after meeting and each time new opportunities to serve arose. What we learned, by home visits, is that they needed someone to talk with, to help explain new resources, to give financial aid and a friend to pray with.

It was most satisfying and rewarding to see the aid they were receiving made a big difference in their lives and attitude. As time passed, there was a need to step up and take on leadership roles. Over the years, becoming an officer and eventually District II President, became a role where I contributed much time and energy to fulfilling the mission to be an active Vincentian.

So, the calling to join and serve may be dormant, but God in His divine providence picks the right person, circumstance or time to say YES. And when you do, the possibilities are endless. You will grow in holiness and friendship and be an example to others. This way our Society will continue the vision of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederick Ozanam.

You Must RSVP to Attend

RSVP Option 1: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduhsvVjI9Zv0PRUtg_yVFV5k3zoogOc0p-7AcCfjlnPX0Ijw/viewform?usp=header

RSVP Option 2:

Email Nicole at nicole@svdpchicago.org. Please provide your full name, conference, email, phone number and which June 25 session you are interested in,10 am or 6 pm.

Upcoming Council and Conference Events & Fundraisers

Keep the calendar updated with your events and fundraisers!

Email Teresa at teresa@svdpchicago.org

SVdP North Central Region