June 19, 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” which features 2 different raffles:

Stars, Stripes & Summer Celebration Basket Raffle

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:

• Ticket sales for both raffles begins Friday, June 5, 2026

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

• Both raffle drawings 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 | 3:00 PM

St. Damian

5250 W. 155th Street

Oak Forest, IL

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.

5. Visit the Sick

Illness isolates. St. Vincent and his followers saw in every sick person the suffering Christ. To visit the sick is to bring healing not just through medicine but through presence, compassion, and hope.

Food for thought:

• Do I neglect the sick because I fear their weakness?
• How can I bring joy to those who are confined?
• Do I see Christ in the vulnerable?

Prayer

Healer of the Broken,

With your peace enter the rooms of the suffering.

Let me be your presence of hope,

bringing comfort, not just cures.

Teach me the grace of staying with the wounded.

Amen.

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.

Christmas in July Means the Magic of Christmas Is Just Around the Corner!

Dear Vincentians,

As we celebrate Christmas in July at our Orland Park and Libertyville Thrift Stores, we are also beginning preparations for one of our most heartwarming programs of the year, the Magic of Christmas.

This year, we are excited to host five Santa Workshops and four Christmas Parties, all taking place at SVdP Conference locations throughout our Council. These events provide an opportunity for Vincentians to come together and bring the joy and wonder of Christmas to families who may be struggling and wondering how Santa will visit their children this year.

Our inaugural Magic of Christmas program was a tremendous success. Conferences enjoyed hosting the events, and the families who attended were truly grateful for the kindness, generosity, and Christmas spirit shared by our Vincentian family.

We look forward to making our 2nd Annual Magic of Christmas even more memorable. Watch for additional details in the July 3 newsletter, including ways you can help bring hope, joy, and the magic of Christmas to families in need this holiday season.

If you would like to get involved, please email me at teresa@svdpchicago.org or call me at (773) 779-6700, ext. 108.

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