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With the approval of the District Presidents, below are updates on two Council Programs. These decisions were made based on the current climate and the urgent need to help our Neighbors with housing and utilities during the ongoing pandemic.
Bed Program:
The Council Bed Program will remain on hold for the duration of the calendar year. Conferences may continue to use thrift store vouchers to provide beds to their Neighbors at a 30% discount. Conferences can opt to be billed for the beds or can utilize their store credits.
Car Purchase Program:
Beginning October 1, the Car Purchase Program will be available in the Festus, Northwest, Southeast and West Districts only due to the limited availability of public transportation in these areas. The program will serve Neighbors who need a car for employment, as was the original intention of the program.
At the end of the calendar year, the Council Office will confer with the District Presidents to determine the appropriate time to reopen the Car Purchase Program to all Districts. Attached are updated guidelines for the Car Purchase Program
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St. Vincent de Paul told us, "Go to the poor. You will find God." During these difficult times, let us remember to seek Him in those we serve. May God continue to bless you and your Neighbors. |
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District Meetings Schedule (more to come)
Northwest: Thursday, October 8 via Zoom
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Link will be sent later
North Thursday, October 22 via Zoom
6:00 pm.
Zoom link will be sent later
Southeast: Saturday, October 24
DuBourg Centre in Ste. Genevieve
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Continental breakfast and luncheon afterwards
Gravois: Thursday, October 29 via Zoom
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Zoom link will be sent later.
Festus: Saturday, October 31
Our Lady Queen of Peace
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Letter from a Neighbor in Need:
There are truly not enough words that can express how grateful my son and I are for your generosity and understanding. Over the past five months, there have been many times when I didn't know how I was going to make it financially and emotionally. However, through the grace of God and your pure kindness, I could not be more grateful for your help.
Your organization took the time to listen to me and my story. To not judge me and my current situation. I was checked on almost daily throughout this process and by each person involved. From the first call to the last, I was just in awe.
Once again, thank you so much for your support. What you are doing for families like mine does not go unnoticed.
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Raise Money for your Conference! |
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Did you know you can directly help your Neighbors in Need just by volunteering at your local St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store? Vincentians who volunteer in our stores earn $8 per hour in credits that can be used by their Conference for vouchers! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Choose your SVdP Thrift Store
2. Begin Volunteering
Learn the ins and outs of our Thrift Stores while meeting our wonderful Thrift Store employees and interacting with customers.
3. Help your Neighbors in Need
For every hour you volunteer at a store, you'll earn $8 in thrift store credits for your Conference that can be redeemed for vouchers. You'll feel good knowing your hard work at SVdP Thrift Stores helped a Neighbor receive a new mattress, clothes or furniture.
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Spread the Word: SVdP is Hiring! |
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores are hiring! Check out our open positions at all locations: manager, assistant manager, key holder, cashier, receiver/stocker and driver.
Send the link below to someone you know who would be perfect for a position with St. Vincent de Paul.
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Conference Recruitment Campaign Coming Soon |
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The Council has created a recruitment campaign to help you find and recruit more Vincentians for your Conference. This campaign will launch in five pilot Conferences this month. A Council-wide launch will follow shortly after.
Have you heard anyone say recently “I feel so isolated – I want to reach out to someone but I don’t know how" ? God calls His people in lots of ways – sometimes subtly, sometimes through the crazy circumstances of their lives. This is one of those “crazy times” – the important question is “are we listening?” As Vincentians we can be a channel for God’s call by inviting friends and parishioners to join the Society to answer that call. God has given us an unexpected opportunity – let’s not waste it.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor 6
Here's an ad you can expect to find in this recruitment campaign.
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You are invited to our Virtual Advent Retreat, held over Zoom on Saturday, December 5 from 9:00-11:00am.
With the pandemic, unrest, and hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s helpful to step back and reflect on Christ and our spiritual growth. We look forward to you joining us!
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Wednesday Rosary for Our Country |
Join fellow Vincentians and Council Office staff members in praying the rosary every Wednesday night over Zoom at 8 pm. Click the link below at 8 pm on Wednesdays to join. |
Meeting ID:
989 8066 7271
Passcode: vincent
or dial in: (312) 626-6799 (Toll)
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From the Voice of the Poor... |
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The Importance of Contacting Our Elected Officials
One of the most important avenues available to each of us to ignite change and bring about meaningful laws and policies that positively impact the lives of the poor and persons in need, is advocating for issues by contacting our elected officials to let them know our stance.
Every piece of legislation starts as an idea and a commitment to effectuate it in practice. Often a legislation succeeds or fails due to a strength and dedication of each of us, advocates for these ideas. The U.S. Catholic Bishops urge all Catholics to make their voices heard in the public square and it is not just our right, but each of our duty, as Catholics, to utilize this effective avenue to make our voices heard and advocate for the change that will elevate our fellow humans in need.
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Interested in joining or learning more about the Voice of the Poor Committee?
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Tidbits from Elizabeth Barbieri |
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“Twinning.”
It’s a good word. Blessed Frederic Ozanam coined the word when he founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. However, “sharing” is a good way to define the word twinning. It is the action we subscribe to at SVdP.
We are taught from childhood to share; I remember the "rice bowl box" that we put our pennies in for the poor during Lent. I ask you as Vincentians - please share with other Conferences - the money was given to your Conference for the poor. Our St. Louis Archdiocese is very large - 6,000 square miles, in fact. We all know there are areas of the Archdiocese that need money more than others. So, I am emphasizing our act of twinning, of sharing.
If you have extra funds, please call your District President if you are unsure of what to do with these funds. “It is more blessed to give than receive” That’s our goal, isn’t it?
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Upcoming Trainings and Events |
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Ozanam Orientations and Home Visit Trainings
Home Visit Training 101
Tues., October 20, 2020
6: 30 pm - 8:30 pm
Virtual Training over Zoom
Ozanam Orientation
Sat., October 24, 2020:
9 am - 12 pm
Virtual Orientation over Zoom
Ozanam Orientation
Sat., January 30, 2021:
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Immaculate Conception-Dardenne Prairie, 7701 Highway N, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368
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Formation Events
Our Call to Missionary Discipleship
Wed., October 14, 2020
2 pm - 4 pm
Virtual Event over Zoom
With the upcoming election and the duty of Catholics (and Vincentians) to transform society and bring our faith to the voting booth, we are offering Living Catholic Social Teaching on two different days/times to make it as accessible as possible.”
Living Catholic Social Teaching
Tues., October 27, 2020
2 pm - 4 pm
Virtual Event over Zoom
Wednesday October 28, 2020
10 am - 12 pm
Virtual Event over Zoom
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Help for Your Conference!
Parish Bulletin Toolkit
October - December 2020
In it, you’ll find
- SVdP National Bulletin Announcement Suggestions
- Bulletin Announcement Suggestions catered to SVdP St. Louis
- Bulletin Graphic Suggestions
- Social Media Suggestions
- Pictures for social media suggestions.
None of these are a requirement and can always be altered to fit your Conference’s needs. To download a picture or document, simply double click on it and then click the arrow in the top right corner to download to your computer.
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Watch: Sessions from the SVdP National Assembly |
The St. Vincent de Paul Virtual 2020 National Assembly kicked off on September 2 with a Presidential Welcome from the SVdP USA President Ralph Middlecamp and a Keynote Address from Bishop Donald Hying of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin.
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175th Anniversary: Past Anniversaries |
We're just about one month away from the anniversary date of our founding in St. Louis, November 20, 1845.
Check out some documents of our 75th, 135th, and 150th anniversaries. Some are actual plans while others are letters of congratulations.
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Click on the title to register
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Dominic Williams-Wood
Myron Downey
Jack Betag
St. Andrew Conference
Michael McBride
Jane Burle
Sacred Heart (Valley Park) Conference
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May the angels lead them into paradise, may the martyrs receive them at their coming and lead them into Jerusalem, the holy city. May the choirs of angels welcome them and, with Lazarus, who was also poor, may they have everlasting peace |
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Please Pray For:
Joyce Cain
St. Charles Borromeo Conference
Marlene McBride
St. Charles Borromeo Conference
Sandy Van Mill
St. Charles Borromeo Conference
Debra Downey
Council Office
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Louis | [svdpstlouis.org]
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