The Society Scoop | Nov. 2024 | Issue 11

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

Dear Vincentian Family,

After attending our recent district meetings, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the support of your SVdP St. Louis Council. At the same time, it’s clear that there are many questions and challenges you face. I want you to know that we have heard your feedback, and I personally acknowledge the concerns that many of you have shared, whether through emails, meetings, or conversations. Each of your voices is valuable to us, and I want you to know that we are committed to moving forward together.

To better our communications going forward . . .

Vincentian Listening Sessions in 2025

Beginning next year, we will launch bi-annual updates and listening sessions via Zoom. These sessions will provide an open space where we can come together and exchange thoughts. Dates will be forthcoming. We hope these sessions will offer a means to improve communication and foster a renewed sense of shared mission and purpose. 

Vincentian Website Updates

We will also create an update page to our Vincentian tab on the website. This section will soon house the most current information relevant to our mission and progress, so you have easy access to timely updates instead of waiting for the monthly Society Scoop. Our goal is to keep you well-informed, knowing that better communication is essential to building trust. https://svdpstlouis.org/updates

In addition, we have added a page of our staff contacts and organizational chart, so you can easily determine which staff member to contact for information and questions.

Staff Contact List | Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Upcoming Events to Strengthen Our SVdP Community

As we look toward 2025, I’m excited to announce two gatherings designed to bring us together in fellowship and mission. First, we will host our Spring Assembly on April 26, 2025. This assembly will be a wonderful opportunity for us to unite in our desire to do the work of Christ, share our experiences, and strengthen our SVdP mission. In 2025, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul celebrates our 180th anniversary in the United States, starting right here in St. Louis. Events honoring our anniversary will be announced soon.

We know there have been challenging times recently, and your concerns do not go unnoticed. I promise you we are on a path of recovery and strengthening your Council.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Society and to each other. We are one mission with many hands; together, we will find ways to navigate these challenges and emerge even stronger, bonded by our shared dedication to serving those in need.

In friendship and unity, 

John Foppe 

The Eucharistic Harvest

Thanksgiving is coming soon.

What’s your favorite dish at Thanksgiving? Maybe it’s the stuffing that has a secret family recipe?

On normal days, what time was dinner on the table at your house growing up?

At our house 5:30 was the time … and God forbid if you were late!

Ever hear comments like: “Your father comes home after working all day, and you show up late because you were out playing? Did you wash your hands? Let me see the forearms. go back and wash them too.” This was all part of the mom “playbook” for dinner.

But on the other side if someone knocked on the door at mealtime, an invitation to come in “Have a seat, pull up a chair. there’s plenty of room.”

Let’s not overlook the importance of the table. (continued)

Additional information for our fiscal year 2022 Council-wide audit has been requested from many Conference Presidents and Treasurers. 

This information is necessary to complete our FY22 audit, and we appreciate the work you are doing to supply this information as quickly as possible to the audit firm. If you have questions about the request, please email Mike Basler at michaelb@svdpstl.org

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

The Thrift Stores will host a mattress sale from November 11 - 30, 2024. Click here to see mattress sale pricing

Why pay insurance and registration costs on a vehicle that doesn’t run or is rarely used? Stop those payments, receive a tax deduction, and benefit the Society.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis welcomes donations of cars, trucks, vans, boats, motorcycles, and mobile homes. Proceeds from the sale of donated vehicles fund our transportation assistance program, one of the largest in the St. Louis area.  

We'll handle ALL the details, including towing, free of charge!

www.svdpusacars.com

Call (800) 322-8284.

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.

In person training In person trainings for this month that are already scheduled are:

• Immacolata

11/12/2-- @ 7:00 PM

(wheelchair accessible)

more info

• St. Alphonsus (Millwood/Silex)

11/13/24 -- 6:30 PM

more info

• St. Joseph Parish and School (Cottleville)

11/12/24 -- 6:30 PM

more info                                               

At the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we are bound by a shared purpose: to seek out and serve those in need, fostering inspiration and drawing everyone closer to Christ.

Every one of us contributes uniquely to this mission. Whether you are directly visiting and supporting those in need, serving in a leadership or Board position, assisting Vincentians as part of the Council office, or donating to sustain our work, each role is essential. Together, we embody one mission with many hands.

Living out this mission means embracing the entire vision and recognizing how each piece contributes to the whole. It calls for collaboration, sharing talents and skills, and always centering your efforts around our mission.

Live the mission. Together. Because united, we can truly make a difference.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Conference hosts a St. Vincent de Paul Fundraiser Putt-Putt Golf Tournament

On Sunday, October 6, supporters of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul gathered for a fun and friendly competition at the Cave Springs Golf Center. The Putt-Putt Golf Tournament teed off at 2:00 PM, with participants of all ages coming together to play through 18 creative and challenging holes. Attendees had the option to register as a foursome or as individuals.

After the tournament, everyone enjoyed a delicious picnic in the school cafeteria, where burgers, hot dogs, snacks, and drinks were served. It was a wonderful way to wrap up the day, bringing the community together to support St. Vincent de Paul’s mission in a relaxed and family-friendly setting.

This was St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's fundraising committee's first event . . . they raised a net profit of more than $13,000 to help Neighbors in Need.

Fr. Vordtriede's Opening Putt 

Laurie Roscoe, Fundraising MVP

Gift Basket Raffle Winner

Family Performance Trophy Winners

Ladies on the fundraising committed hosted a potluck dinne, included in the tournament ticket price.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's fundraising team.

In late October, the Seven Holy Founders Ladies Auxiliary hosted a card party at Sacred Heart Fellowship (SHF), netting an impressive $7,000 to be contributed to the Conference to assist Neighbors in Need. Wow! Congratulations!

Their next event, the Spring Fling, is already eagerly anticipated; last year’s event raised over $4,800.

Have a Conference story . . .Please share with us. Email Gena Bast at genab@svdpstl.org.

On October 23, the Perryville Conference hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Perryville thrift store.

A little over a year ago, the Conference aquired a former American Legion building and an adjacent 1 acres of land.

At groundbreaking around 50 Vincentian members, Council staff and community members gathered to celebrate the start of construction.

Fr. Joseph Geders, C.M., the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish blessed the site and Andy Graf, president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Perryville Conference expressed heartfelt gratitude for the community's support.

Congratulations, Perryville!

This Mission Moment is a powerful reminder of resilience and divine grace.

A customer entered our Florissant Thrift Store asking about job opportunities. Unfortunately, she shared she could only lift up to 10 pounds due to undergoing dialysis and awaiting a kidney transplant.

With deep emotion, she recounted how her heart had once stopped, and she was revived—a testament to the miraculous power of God’s healing spirit. As we stood together, moved to tears, we praised God’s mercy and strength. Her courage and story inspired my day, and I promised to keep her in my prayers, inviting her to return and share more of her journey.

Moments like these reaffirm why we serve, connecting us in faith and hope.

– Valerie Pope, SVdP Florissant Thrift Store Manager

The fall district meetings have almost concluded, but two are left for the Mid Central and Southeast Districts. All members are invited and encourged to attend their District meeting for food, updates and fellowship!

For more details, contact your Conference President.

• Mid Central, Wednesday, November 6, Annunziata, 6:15 pm
• Southeast, Thursday, November 21, Immaculate Conception, Park Hills, 6:00 pm.

The Credit Empowerment program is a Vincentian-run program that will:



1. Convert a Neighbor’s high-interest loan(s) totaling $3,000 or less to a Credit Empowerment loan at Midwest BankCentre with a rate of approximately 7%.
2. Provide financial mentoring periodically during the term of the Credit Empowerment loan.

To be eligible, a Neighbor must have monthly income that exceeds monthly expenses, once the low-interest payment replaces the high-interest.

Supporting the Society through estate planning ensures that SVdP St. Louis wll be supported in the future. You can leave a legacy of hope to our Neighbors in Need.

Estate planning protects beneficiaries, manages assets, reduces taxes, and enables impactful charitable giving through bequests. Your gift can continue the legacy originally built by Frederic Ozanam.

There are many ways to support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

• Contributions can be made through gifts of cash, sent to 1310 Papin Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, or online at www.svdpstlouis.org/give.
• Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) for flexible charitable giving with tax benefits, IRA charitable rollovers for potential tax advantages, and including the Society in a will.
• Charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities that offer a fixed income for life, and vehicle donations with associated tax deductions.

The SVdP Development Office is here to assist you. We can answer basic questions and connect you with professionals for more complex giving questions.

Please consider your legacy to the Society and let us know how we can help you plan.

For assistance, contact John Fitzpatrick at 314-881-6003 or johnc@svdpstl.org. 



Volunteering at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of those in need. However, the emotional demands of such compassionate work can sometimes lead to what’s known as “compassion fatigue.” This form of emotional and physical exhaustion often affects people who are regularly engaged in supporting others, whether in healthcare, social services, or volunteer organizations like SVdP. 

Compassion fatigue doesn’t just stem from prolonged exposure to challenging circumstances; it can also result from empathy overload. Many Vincentians feel a deep emotional connection to the individuals and families they serve. This empathy is a beautiful strength, but without the right support or self-care practices, it can begin to weigh heavily on a person’s emotional reserves.

How Compassion Fatigue Affects SVdP Volunteers

Know Your Resources:

FY2025 Voucher Updates

November 6 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Zoom

Join Council and Store staff for an update on the Bed and Donated Goods Vouchers that were created in support of Vincentian ministry to serve our Neighbors in need.

Know Your Resoures: Immigrant and Refugee Ministry

November 13 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Zoom

Join this webinar on the Immigrant & Refugee Ministry. This ministry advocates for justice and empowers immigrants, refugees, and the Catholic community to thrive together.

You’ll learn how SVdP plays a vital role in understanding the culture of those we serve and how we can offer support.

Know Your Resources:

FY2025 Voucher Updates

November 14 

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Zoom

Join Council and Store staff for an update on the Bed and Donated Goods Vouchers that were created in support of Vincentian ministry to serve our Neighbors in need.

March 24 - April 3, 2025

With Spiritual Leader, Father Matthew O'Toole

The tour features:

Shrines of St. Vincent de Paul, Bl. Frederic Ozanam and St. Catherine Laboure 

Sainte-Chapelle

Restored Notre Dame Cathedral

Shrine of the Miraculous Medal

Basilica of Sacre Coeur

Mont Saint-Michel

Lisieux and the Little Flower 

Winery Tour 

Our Lady of Montligeon

Normandy Beaches

Pointe du Hoc  

Chartres Cathedral 

Palace of Versailles  

Paris and Seine River Cruise with Dinner

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.