|
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Saints Peter and Paul Conference, Inc., Easton, Maryland
October 2026 Volunteer Newsletter
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
| |
President's Message:
Exciting Communications Updates at SVdP
We are very happy to announce that our updated SVdP website is now live! Please take a moment to visit (click here!) and explore the updated site.
A heartfelt thank-you to Lisa Gritti, Barbara Harries, Donna Horney, and Bob Murdoch for their tireless efforts and for working with me to bring this project to completion. Your time, dedication, and teamwork are greatly appreciated!
At the same time, we have coordinated an update of our trifold brochure, which is used to promote SVdP and the services we provide. [Click here to view the updated brochure.]
We have also engaged Burned Media LLC to assist key volunteers with our Newsletter, Bulletin, Flock Notes, Thrift Store Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as the development of a Volunteer Onboarding Video.
In addition, Adams Multi Media will assist key volunteers with our SVdP Facebook, Instagram, and Google accounts, along with our Giving Tuesday campaign.
Together, these initiatives will help us strengthen our communications and better share the mission, services, and impact of SVdP with our volunteers, donors, and community.
| |
Vincentian Weekend Recommitment Service:
Members of our parish’s St. Vincent De Paul Society, Vincentians all, gathered the past weekend to recommit to “follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love.”
At services at both St. Michael’s Chapel and Sts. Peter and Paul Church, that commitment was given voice by Vincentians Kate Mansfield, Karen McLaughlin, Alex Handy, Julian Domenech, and Leo Marshall, who each reminded the congregations of the service we provide to those in need in Talbot County. It was an opportunity for a
call-to-action seeking volunteers to assist at our Thrift Shop, Food Pantry, or become an advisor within our Neighborhood Assistance program, or join our Friendly Neighbors team visiting the homebound.
We are profoundly grateful to Frs. Nash and Angeloni; Fr. Pat and Deacons Frank and Brad for their recognition of our members. At the 10:30 Mass, Fr. Angeloni offered special thanks to Ron Virostek for his years of service and dedication to the Society.
Written by Leo Marshall
St. Vincent DePaul Society V.P.
|
A Pilgrimage to the
Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Francis
On October 6, 2026, twenty-seven pilgrims from Saints Peter and Paul Parish traveled to Washington, DC, to visit two magnificent religious landmarks: the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in the United States. Their journey commemorated the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s passing into eternal life in 1226 and honored the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of our nation and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Our day began at the Basilica, where knowledgeable docents guided us through its beautiful chapels and sacred treasures. Dedicated in 1959, this remarkable church features more than 80 chapels and oratories, many reflecting the traditions of different countries. We were especially drawn to the colorful Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, adorned with fresh flowers, and the magnificent Trinity Dome Mosaic, completed in 2017. We also attended Benediction and noon Mass in the Crypt Church.
The Basilica’s connection to St. Francis continued our pilgrimage’s special theme. In 2015, Pope Francis canonized Franciscan missionary Fray Junipero Serra in a historic ceremony on American soil. Another memorable moment came when our parishioner Lisa Flynn was interviewed by an EWTN film crew. Asked what advice she would give people her age, Lisa offered a simple yet powerful response: “Love everyone.” Her words beautifully captured the spirit of our pilgrimage.
Following a picnic lunch in Angel Park, we explored the Franciscan Monastery, a hidden treasure of Washington. Established in 1898 by Father Godfrey Schilling, OFM, its church, known as Mount Saint Sepulcher, features replicas of sacred sites in the Holy Land, where Franciscans have served for 800 years. Highlights included a life-size bas-relief of the Crucifixion on Calvary and the magnificent baldacchino above the main altar. We also enjoyed the peaceful gardens, outdoor Stations of the Cross, and a replica of the Grotto at Lourdes.
As we returned safely to Saints Peter and Paul, we carried home more than wonderful memories of two extraordinary shrines. We brought with us renewed faith, a deeper appreciation of our Catholic heritage, and a reminder that holiness often begins with simple acts of love. Perhaps another pilgrimage to our nation’s capital awaits us in spring 2027!
| |
Cabrini
When I saw the movie, Cabrini, in early 2026, I could not get over what an incredible story it told. I wanted to share it with others, but it was simply impossible to tell it as well as the movie did. So why not share the movie with our parish community? I assumed the producers of the movie, Angel Studios, were a Catholic organization. Ironically, it turns out, Angel Studios’ founders are Mormons.
Working through the SVdP Spirituality Committee, we arranged the dates and scheduled the showings on October 16 and 18 at the Maria Mitchell Hall. I happened to run into Deacon Mark Mueller one day, and when he heard what we were doing, he offered his help. “We showed movies regularly at my previous parish,” Mark informed me. I asked him if he would assist us, and he was happy to do so. Mark introduced the movie during both showings and facilitated a
discussion following it.
We had wonderful support from our committee comprised of Sheila Accongio, Margie Callahan, George and Kathy Desimone, Stephanie Handy, Kathy Mueller, Richard Palazzolo, Mary Ann Ray and Lisa Westphal. Thanks to Beth Stevens for having Boots, a parish employee, set up the chairs and tables. The committee provided cookies, popcorn (of course), and bottled water. We also had added assistance from SSPP High School Students. Over 100 people saw the two performances. I believe the majority were as amazed by this remarkable first canonized American Saint as I was when I first saw Cabrini.
| | |
Upcoming Events:
November 2, 10:00am - 11:00 Communications Team meeting @ SSPP Meeting Room
November 2, 12:00pm -1:00 - Finance Team meeting @ SVdP meeting room
November 4, 1:30pm - 2:30 - Spirituality Team meeting @ SSPP meeting room
November 15, 10:30am - Mass at SSPP for Deceased Vincentians
November 18, 1:00pm - 3:00 Board Meeting @ SSPP Meeting Room
November 19, 9:30am -10:30 Membership Meeting at the SSPP Meeting Room
November 24, 6:00pm -7:00 Membership Meeting at the SSPP Meeting Room
If you have any suggestions for upcoming Membership Meeting topics and/or possible presenters, please let John know HERE.
| |
SVdP Ministry Includes Matchmaking
Food Pantry volunteers celebrated the engagement of Jessica Hotsko and Caleb Lovell, who met while volunteering on Saturday mornings. Planning for a Spring 2027 wedding at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church is underway.
| |
|
Crystal Pineapple Award Recipient
Dav Stover, a four-year SVdP Food Pantry volunteer, is the most recent recipient of the Crystal Pineapple Award. Dan volunteers every Tuesday pantry day and helps ensure the right orders are placed in the right cars. Dan improved our system by creating new two-sided numbers for placement on the windshields of our neighbors' vehicles and then laminated them for weatherproofing.
Congratulations, Dan!
| | |
Talbot Retired School Personnel donate pantry staples to SVdP Food Pantry
Bennie Milton of the Talbot County Retired School Personnel Association made a donation of 150 pounds of baking ingredients and dry goods to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry on Monday, October 12. As part of the TCRSPA’s community service efforts, retirees selected the SVdP Food Pantry for this donation. Here, Ms. Milton is pictured with Kate Mansfield, SVdP Food Pantry manager.
| | | | |
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful volunteers, we are pleased to announce that we are able to add an additional donation time slot!
The Thrift Store and Boutique will now accept donations on both Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Thank you for your continued commitment and generosity. Your efforts make this expansion possible and allow us to better serve our community!
| |
SVdP Stories...Neighbor Assistance
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, Luke came to SVDP Advisors. He was dressed in a bright red sweater and a matching hat. He was upbeat, enthusiastic and appreciative about finding us to get some help with his Recovery House rent. He needed $200 for the next week.
As Luke was new to SVDP, we began to talk with him about his current life and experiences. He told us he had been an addict many years ago but had quit alcohol and drugs when he entered the Air Force. He was career military. He met his wife when he was in the Air Force and they were together for 22 years, until she passed. He had a son who was married and was also career military.
Unfortunately, soon after Luke’s wife passed, his son committed suicide, and the next day his young nephew died of cancer. The combined effect of all these losses drove him back to alcohol and drugs.
Luke believed that by God’s intercession he was able to seek help quickly, within four months of his return to addiction. When we met, he was three years clean. He was still living at the Recovery House because veterans could stay indefinitely. He met a lovely woman and plans to be married in the spring.
We shared with him the many services SVDP provides (food pantry, thrift store). He said he bought all his clothes at Thrift stores, so he was delighted to know we had one.
Luke was very thankful for our help and asked that we remember him in our prayers. Luke was a case where trauma and loss caused him to relapse into his addiction. But his inner strength guided him to a better solution.
| | |
Volunteer Opportunities – Please Share!
Strengthening our volunteer network allows us to continue serving our community with compassion and dignity. Although we are a Catholic organization, many of our volunteers come from a variety of faith backgrounds. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join us. Current openings are:
Neighbor Assistance – Support our Neighbors in Need through
compassionate listening and resource guidance.
Friendly Neighbors - visit the homebound to provide a friendly face, and a listening ear.
Food Pantry Volunteers – All roles needed: stocking, packing, and
distribution. We now have a 4pm - 7pm shift on Tuesday!
Ambassadors/Tour Guides – Assist with local events and provide tours for new volunteers (one or two tours a month.
Thrift Store Volunteers needed in these departments:
General Merchandise, Boutique, Furniture & Donations
Sales & Cashiers: Thursdays–Saturdays
Sorting & Display: Mondays–Thursday. Please indicate your
preferred department when responding
Administrative Support – Ambassadors, Database entry support
Communications & Marketing – Website updates, graphic design, and social media content support.
Spirituality Team - Activity planning.
To learn more or get involved, contact Donna HERE.
| | |
New Volunteers for October:
George Seiple
Sandy Whelan - new to the Food Pantry
| | Our Volunteers are the Best!!! | | | Saint Vincent de Paul | 29533 Canvasback Drive | Easton, MD 21601 US | | | | |
