"I WISH I COULD HELP..."
If you have said these words to yourself --- you can, whatever your age, whatever your skill. All we ask is a few hours of your time.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1835 by Frederic Ozanam, a 20-year-old student of the Sorbonne University in Paris. In answer to a taunt for Christians to "Practice what they preach," Frederic Ozanam and a group of fellow students started to seek out and visit the poor of Paris in their homes, taking them bread and clothes, their friendship and their concern. This small group took as their Patron the Great French Priest, who alerted the world to social problems, St. Vincent de Paul. Similar groups began in Paris, then in the rest of France and eventually spread throughout the Christian world with the object of visiting, for the love of God, those in need.
Today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (known as the SVdP) is a worldwide lay organization of Catholic men and women, young and old, of every race, numbering 700,000 of whom some 172,000 are in the United States. The people we assist could be your neighbors, friends or family members. They are people who need short term help to get back on track after experiencing an unforeseen circumstance that can cause them to fall behind in paying their bills. Many of these people are not eligible for public assistance, so our monetary help with rent or utilities can make a huge difference in helping them to pick up the pieces. Most importantly, along with our monetary assistance, we bring hope. God is telling them that life can be better. Through the caring assistance of His Vincentians, God is telling them that He loves them. God is hope. And, we Vincentians, are the carriers of that hope.
No matter how good the Welfare Services provided by the State may be, the work to which the SVdP is called will always be necessary. The Society's personalized involvement makes the work of the organization unique. This aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or direct dollar or in-kind services. An essential precept of the Society's work is to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served. The Society recognizes that it must also assume a role of advocacy for those who are defenseless or lack a voice when policies are being formulated or revised.
The work of SVdP is the Gospel message in action:
I was hungry
I was thirsty
I was a stranger
I was naked
I was sick
I was in prison
... and you cared.
It is easy to join our Conference, and we appreciate any support. The only qualification is the desire to join with others to help those in need for the love of God. Either call us at (505) 892-0526, or use the following guidelines for your Time, Talent and Treasure:
If you have said these words to yourself --- you can, whatever your age, whatever your skill. All we ask is a few hours of your time.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1835 by Frederic Ozanam, a 20-year-old student of the Sorbonne University in Paris. In answer to a taunt for Christians to "Practice what they preach," Frederic Ozanam and a group of fellow students started to seek out and visit the poor of Paris in their homes, taking them bread and clothes, their friendship and their concern. This small group took as their Patron the Great French Priest, who alerted the world to social problems, St. Vincent de Paul. Similar groups began in Paris, then in the rest of France and eventually spread throughout the Christian world with the object of visiting, for the love of God, those in need.
Today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (known as the SVdP) is a worldwide lay organization of Catholic men and women, young and old, of every race, numbering 700,000 of whom some 172,000 are in the United States. The people we assist could be your neighbors, friends or family members. They are people who need short term help to get back on track after experiencing an unforeseen circumstance that can cause them to fall behind in paying their bills. Many of these people are not eligible for public assistance, so our monetary help with rent or utilities can make a huge difference in helping them to pick up the pieces. Most importantly, along with our monetary assistance, we bring hope. God is telling them that life can be better. Through the caring assistance of His Vincentians, God is telling them that He loves them. God is hope. And, we Vincentians, are the carriers of that hope.
No matter how good the Welfare Services provided by the State may be, the work to which the SVdP is called will always be necessary. The Society's personalized involvement makes the work of the organization unique. This aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or direct dollar or in-kind services. An essential precept of the Society's work is to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served. The Society recognizes that it must also assume a role of advocacy for those who are defenseless or lack a voice when policies are being formulated or revised.
The work of SVdP is the Gospel message in action:
I was hungry
I was thirsty
I was a stranger
I was naked
I was sick
I was in prison
... and you cared.
It is easy to join our Conference, and we appreciate any support. The only qualification is the desire to join with others to help those in need for the love of God. Either call us at (505) 892-0526, or use the following guidelines for your Time, Talent and Treasure: