The Society Scoop | Dec. 2024 | Issue 12

1310 Papin St., St. Louis, MO 63103 | https://svdpstlouis.org

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you."

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Dear Vincentian Family,

Thank you for your dedication to fulfilling the requested and needed information of SVdP: the Archdiocese of St. Louis' Protecting God’s Children, SVdP USA's Vision SVdP conversations, and the SVdP St. Louis Audit.

These efforts, while often unseen, are a vital part of our mission to serve Christ in those who are poor and in need. If you haven't completed your Protecting God's Children Training, please see the information below.

As we reflect on our call to be the hands and feet of Christ, we are reminded that each task we undertake is an act of love and service to Him. As we are One Mission with Many Hands, we embrace our many "moving parts" and aspects of our service, trusting that, together, we are one body and building a stronger and more vibrant St. Louis Council.

May God bless you for the time, care, and heart you put into your service. Your efforts glorify Him and deepen the bonds of spirituality, friendship, and service that unite us.

With gratitude,

John Foppe 

Vincentian Advent Virtues

Living Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

Advent calls us to focus on four virtues: hope, peace, joy, and love. Each virtue has a special meaning for this season. These virtues help us prepare our hearts for Jesus. They are not just ideas but ways to live as Christians. During Advent, we try to grow in each of these virtues. We begin by:

Preparing Our Hearts

For St. Vincent de Paul Affective Love moved him to Effective Love. We see a neighbor in need, and it touches our soul, our heart. We respond in need effectively, by our actions.

Advent is an invitation to prepare our hearts for Jesus. We remember Christ’s first coming at His birth in Bethlehem. At the same time, we also think about His second coming at the end of time. Advent is about both remembering and looking forward. It is a season of waiting, but also a season of action.               

Advent invites us to change our hearts. The Church calls this conversion. It means turning away from sin and turning toward God. During Advent, we are reminded to repent and ask for God’s mercy. This helps us make room in our hearts for Jesus. It is like preparing a clean and warm place for Him to come and stay.

A good way to prepare spiritually during Advent is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession allows us to ask for God’s forgiveness and start fresh. It brings peace to our hearts. Daily prayer is also important during Advent. We can set aside a few minutes each day to pray, read the Bible, or say the Rosary. These simple actions help us grow closer to Jesus.

Making a spiritual plan for Advent can help us stay focused. We can write down small goals, like going to Mass more often or praying as a family for our neighbors. We can also light the Advent wreath at home, adding a prayer for each candle. These steps make Advent more meaningful and help us welcome Jesus with open hearts. 

Traditions and Joyful Waiting

Advent is not just for church; it is also for the home. Think of the many homes that are visited by Vincentians. The home is often called the domestic church. It is where faith is lived each day. Advent offers many ways for families and Vincentians to grow in faith together. Celebrating Advent at home helps everyone prepare for Christmas in a joyful and meaningful way.

Vincentians and Families can celebrate Advent with special prayers, songs, and activities. Lighting the Advent wreath together is a simple way to start. Each Sunday, a new candle is lit with a prayer.

Advent is about joyful waiting. Vincentians build excitement by serving others. Small acts of kindness, like visiting a lonely neighbor, (hint) and bringing Advent to life. These simple actions help families grow closer to God and to each other as we wait for the joy of Christmas Day. It’s being VINCENTIAN!

Supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council empowers each Conference’s work with the poor by providing vital resources, training, and guidance, allowing them to focus on direct service.

As the parent organization, the Council handles foundational tasks that free Conferences to make an immediate impact in their communities. Your donation to the Council amplifies the reach of every Conference, helping the entire network serve those in need with greater efficiency and compassion. The Council unites efforts under a shared mission, ensuring consistent, compassionate care across all communities. By strengthening this backbone, your support for the Council creates a ripple effect, enhancing every Conference’s ability to serve the poor effectively and sustainably.

Utility Resource:

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with energy bills. LIHEAP’s Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) is now available for all eligible households. Additional information on the program and contracted agencies in Missouri that administer the program can be found at Liheap | mydss.mo.gov

Rent Assistance—City Residents

St. Louis City is providing over $3 million in emergency rental assistance to city residents. The application opened on Tuesday, December 3. Vincentians should encourage Neighbors to apply. For additional information, please visit: Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA 3)

Council Vouchers:

Please destroy any Bed, Donated Good, or Delivery Vouchers that expired on September 30, 2024. New Bed and Donated Good Vouchers have been disseminated and should be used moving forward.

Spire Pledge Payments Update:

Spire has a new mailing address for pledge payments when paying by check. Please send to:

Spire

Attention Community Services Department

605 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N

Birmingham, AL 35203

Conferences can also pay pledges via electronic funds transfer. For additional information about setting up EFT, please email pledges@spireenergy.com

Mercy Professional Counseling Services Providing Individual Therapy, Family and Couples Counseling, help to provide counseling for the poor or those that cannot afford to pay.  Therapy is provided by Masters Level Interns and Graduate MSWs. Day, Evening, Weekend Hours by appointment. Therapists guided and supervised by a RN, LCSW, Marriage and Family Therapist.

Click here to learn more.

Mattress prices have been updated to align with wholesale costs.

Twin Tanda Rolled Bed

• Updated Price: $139/ OLD: $129

Full Tanda Rolled Bed

• Updated Price: $169/ OLD:$149

The Thrift Stores will honor already-purchased gift cards intended for bed purchases (purchased before 11/4/2024) at the former pricing. The website has been updated to reflect the NEW bed program pricing.

Click here for the full Tanda Rolled Bed pricing guide

Click here for all mattress pricing

If you completed the Protecting God’s Children program for your parish, the CYC, or your school 10, 15, or even 20 years ago—thank you! This program, which began in 2003, has since expanded to cover all vulnerable individuals. In 2020, the Archdiocese added two new components: Mandated Reporting and the Code of Ethical Conduct.

All three components are now required for Active and Associate Vincentians, and it’s important that everyone stays compliant.

You can easily check your records and schedule any necessary training by visiting the Prevent & Protect website: https://www.preventandprotectstl.org/. Use the same Username and Password from your Protecting God’s Children account or create a new one if needed. When registering for the first time, use the password: stlprotect.

Once logged in, scroll down to the "MY TRAINING" box. Click "Completed" to find the dates when you finished each part of the required training and print your certificates. If you need to complete a component, click "Due." The sessions are short and can be done online from the comfort of your home.

Having difficulties or confused about how to complete the requirements?

Zoom option

After you are registered, you can go to: https://www.preventandprotectstl.org/s/stlouis/pgc.htm which lists all the current Protecting God’s Children (PGC) trainings. There are currently many zooms with availability. You can register for the zoom online and then participate in the training from the comfort of your home. The facilitator will take attendance and it will be added to your Prevent and Protect account. The Prevent and Protect program does not work on cell phones. Registration and trainings need to be completed on a laptop or personal computer.

"Several months ago, as I headed to the St. Ann location, I saw a family of five sitting on the corner near the store. One of them had a sign that simply said ‘HELP’. As I turned into the parking lot, we locked eyes. I didn’t think twice about this brief encounter.

As usual, I spoke to several customers and the cashiers as I made my way to the office. All of a sudden, there was a well over six feet five inch young man trying to get my attention. It was the SAME person who was holding the sign near the parking lot.

“A shirt, a shirt. I just need a shirt”, he said. He began to tell me his life story. He just moved to the U.S. and was homeless. Also, he explained that he spent the last two days walking up and down St. Charles Road looking for a job so that he could make an honest living and take care of his family.

After saying the Lord’s Prayer together, we were able to give him a shirt and a pair of slacks.

THE END . . . So, I thought!

Several hours later, I received a message from one of the cashiers. The young man gave me a heartfelt THANK YOU and praised the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Reflection: As we go about our day, please consider how our words, actions or simply clothes can change the direction of someone’s life. I’m glad the Neighbor in Need had the courage to ask for assistance!

'Ask for help not because you are weak. But because you want to remain strong.' -Les Brown

The impact of the Society reaches far througout our sommunity!"

Rayvon Armstead, Assistant Store Manager SVdP St. Ann Thrift Store



Through our home visits, we Vincentians have unique insight into the complexities of poverty and the myriad reasons that our Neighbors find themselves in it. This insight is invaluable to our Voice for the Poor Committee, which advocates for policies and programs that empower our Neighbors to move from poverty to a better, more sustainable life.  

Current priorities of the Voice for the Poor:

1. Benefit Cliffs
2. Affordable Housing
3. Credit Empowerment

Ozanam Orientation

January 11

9 am - 2 pm

Assumption Parish

4725 Mattis Rd

St. Louis, MO 63128

What You'll Learn

A foundational offering for all Vincentians covering the spirituality, purpose, history, approach, and structure of the Society. New Vincentians are expected to attend an Ozanam Orientation within their first year in the Society.

Know Your Resoures:

Solidarity Grant Information

January 8 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Zoom

What You’ll Learn

1. The purpose and priorities of the Solidarity Grant program.

2. Eligibility criteria, focusing on Conferences with significant financial need.

3. Application guidelines and tips for preparing a strong submission.

Know Your Resources:

Solidarity Grant Information

January 15

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Zoom

What You’ll Learn

1. The purpose and priorities of the Solidarity Grant program.

2. Eligibility criteria, focusing on Conferences with significant financial need.

3. Application guidelines and tips for preparing a strong submission.

The St. Josephine Bakhita Conference coat drive for Neighbors in Need was a success! Held in September and October, the drive was organized to benefit families served by St. Louis Crisis Nursery.

“Our partnership with St. Louis Crisis Nursery identified a critical need for children’s and women’s coats,” shared Harold Bailey, Conference President. “The outpouring of support from our community made this effort an incredible success.”

The initial goal of 100 coats was exceeded, with 108 collected at the parish. Additionally, students at St. Louis Catholic Academy contributed 240 coats, sharing God’s love through their service.

In total, 348 coats were delivered to St. Louis Crisis Nursery, providing warmth and comfort to Neighbors in Need.

Richard M., housebound for over two years due to health issues, now has the freedom to attend health appointments and enjoy family outings, thanks to the St. Louis Sluggers.

This group of dedicated volunteers, Queen of All Saints parishioners, has been serving since 2006, originally formed to help Hurricane Katrina victims. They now provide construction services for disaster relief, nonprofits, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Richard’s story began when his former physical therapist spotted a notice in the parish bulletin about a donated disability ramp. Although the first ramp had already been reserved, Kim’s persistence led to a second ramp becoming available. In November, the Sluggers used their professional construction and engineering skills to install the ramp, ensuring it was safe and functional for Richard.

To learn more about the Sluggers or donate items that could help others in need, contact Jerry Mueller at 314-406-4330. The team is also preparing for their 38th mission trip next spring, responding to hurricanes Milton or Helene.

Bishop Mark Rivituso spent time at the Affton Christian Food Pantry (ACFP), personally assisting neighbors by carrying groceries to their cars and helping load them. "He even took on the task of rounding up shopping carts—and did an impressive job!," reports Vincentian Mike Carosone from Seven Holy Founders Conference.

During his visit, the Bishop expressed his admiration for the pantry's operations and the generous support from the parishes that make it possible.

The ACFP is a vital resource for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the neighbors we serve.

We’ve heard some great stories about our recent Society of St. Vincent de Paul Sunday held on November 3 —New Members, Significant Funds Raised, Pastors praising the work of Vincentians and more.

Let us know about YOUR successes as well. We’ll share your success in the next Society Scoop Newsletter as we continue to build on SVdP Sunday. Please send detailed stories to Steve Rupp at stever@svdpstl.org

Thanks for being the face of Christ to those you serve.

Thanks for all that you do, and God bless!

Steve

Join us at the SVdP Council office and lend a hand at our receptionist desk. You'll have the opportunity to be the warm, welcoming face and voice of our mission, answering calls and greeting visitors.

Whether you can spare a couple of hours or an entire day, your time will be deeply appreciated as you experience the heart of our work and connect with our incredible team.

We’d be honored to have you join us!

To volunteer or learn more, please contact:

Varrietta Anthony

📞 314-881-6039

📧 Varriettaa@svdpstl.org



Meeting ID: 989 8066 7271

Passcode: Vincent 

or dial in: (312) 626-6799

To add a name to the list, please contact Steve Rupp at stever@svdpstl.org or (314) 881-6018.