Archdiocesan Council of Chicago Weekly Newsletter: 07/17/2026

July 17, 2026 Weekly Newsletter

Prayer Requests

In Remembrance

Resource Links

UPCOMING FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

(Click on Appropriate Flyer Below for More Information)

Conference Guidelines

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Monday, July 20, 2026

(All sessions are identical)

Ozanam Orientation

(In-Person Workshop)

St. Frances of Rome

July 18, 2026

We must have a minimum of 15 attendees or we will have to cancel. Please RSVP as soon as possible.

Recruiting New Members

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Ozanam Orientation

Saturday, August 1, 2026 (Pt. 1)

Saturday, August 8, 2026 (Pt. 2)

Recruiting & Retaining Members

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Recruiting New Members

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Monday, August 17, 2026

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Home Visitation

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Praying with St. Francis through the Eyes of Vincentians

Saturday, August 29, 2026

(In-Person)

Saturday, October 31, 2026

A morning ZOOM gathering to learn and celebrate the Founders of the Society

Saturday, March 6, 2027

Lenten Day of Reflection

More details to come.

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 two months away, and we are already looking forward to gathering for what promises to be a meaningful and memorable afternoon together.

You can RSVP for the event, by clicking on the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact Elvia at elvia@svdpchicago.org or

(773) 779-6700, ext. 107.

RSVP

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.

Instruct the Ignorant

To teach is an act of profound mercy. St. Vincent de Paul understood that ignorance keeps the poor in bondage. He founded seminaries and trained priests not just in theology but in clarity and compassion. Instructing the ignorant today means making knowledge accessible, especially to those excluded by poverty, language, or systems of oppression.

Food for thought:

Do I hoard knowledge or share it generously?
Am I patient with those who ask questions?
In what ways can I be a teacher of compassion, not just content?

Prayer

Divine Teacher,

Fill me with the wisdom of Your Word.

Let me instruct with humility and compassion,

especially those the world forgets.

May I teach not from pride,

but from the desire to uplift.

Amen.

Co-pays. Twinning. The terminology gets a bit confusing at times.

Click HERE to get the true definition.

However, what it all comes down to is something we all learned in Kindergarten – Sharing!

Having such a large area in our Archdiocesan Council, all of Lake and Cook County, it is no surprise that we have a full spectrum of financial situations amongst our Conferences.

"Voter Voice" Program

If you would like to receive notifications when there is something our local legislatures have on the docket that may help or hurt those in poverty, consider signing up today and get your voice heard!

By signing up, it allows our members to contact their representative with a pre-written statement from the Society on where we stand as Vincentians.

ACTION CENTER

Upcoming Deadlines

"On Our Knees"

Excerpted from For Your Love Alone by Mike Syslo

Just recently, I was looking at a picture of our Lord nailed to the cross. My eyes drifted to His knees which were depicted as bloody in this picture. On many crucifixes and pictures of the crucifixion, the knees pretty much look normal and most attention is placed on the primary wounds of His suffering. In praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on Jesus falling three times and that can easily account for His injured knees. But this got my mind to reflecting.

Click HERE to find any past Vincentian Growth Articles from Mike Syslo.

Invite Jesus to Your Conference or Council Meeting

Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus could be physically present with us in our Conference or Council meeting? Think about it. We pray to Him, we ask Him for His guidance. We know that He is divinely present in all we do. But what would it mean to us to have Him physically present as well. It is possible.

Christmas in July Means the 2nd Annual Magic of Christmas Is Just Around the Corner!

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, our 2nd Annual Magic of Christmas.

St. Mary Magdalene Packed the Trailer to Help our Friends in Need

The St. Mary Magdalene SVdP Conference held a bundle weekend/donation drive at their Parish. Between the hard work of these Vincentians and the donations from community members, the entire trailer was able to be filled to the brim with donations. All donations were brought back to the St. Vincent de Paul Orland Park thrift store, where items were sorted and put on the shelves for customers and friends in need who utilize the Care Card Voucher Program. Click HERE to read their facebook post.

Annual Memorial Mass & Awards Ceremony

Sunday, September 27 | 3:00 PM

St. Damian's Parish

5250 W. 155th Street, Oak Forest, IL

Spirit of Love Fall Benefit

Sunday, October 18 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

115 Bourbon Street

3559 W. 115th Street

Merrionette Park, IL

St. Mary Magdalene

2nd Annual Van’s Maplewood Rib Cookout

Saturday, August 1, 2026

St. Mary

Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Monday, August 3

St. Michael SVdP Conference

Toiletry Collection for Beds Plus

July 1-31, 2026

Keep the calendar updated with your events and fundraisers!

Email Teresa at teresa@svdpchicago.org

Our Lady of the Wayside Friends of the Poor Walk/Run

Saturday, September 26

Visit our website at https://stvincentdepaulchicago.org/conferences/ to check out upcoming fundraising events throughout the SVdP Chicago Council.

Holidays and Holy Days

July 2026

04 - Independence Day

SVdP National USA

Calendar of Events

SVdP North Central Region

The Vincentian Vocation

Tri-Fold Flyer

Seeking Vincentian Presenters

The North Central Region and SVdP Chicago Council are seeking Vincentians who would like to become presenters. The links to the left is a "pathway" outline. Training sessions will be available soon.

Bundle Weekends: July 2026

18-19: Santa Maria del Popolo, 116 N. Lake Street, Mundelein, IL

25-26: St. Alphonsus, 1429 W. Wellington Avenue, Chicago, IL

30-Aug 2: St. Mary of Vernon, 236 US Hwy 45, Indian Creek, IL

Newsletters from SVdP USA

Are you on SVdP National's email list? If not, you're missing out on alot of information regarding news, upcoming meetings, Spirituality, etc. Click HERE to get to get on their email list today!

Weekly Newsletters from SVdP Chicago

Conference Presidents: If you have new members, ask them to reach out to us so we can get them on the email list for our SVdP Chicago weekly newsletter. They can email Teresa at teresa@svdpchicago.org or you can click HERE and complete the Google Form with their information. Thank you.

Mission Statement

To witness God's love by building a better tomorrow for those in need through

person-to-person works of charity and helping people journey out of poverty.

Vision Statement

A network of charity that creates spiritual growth for Vincentians and a

more just world for people in need.