The St. Mary’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
What We Do:
The St. Mary’s Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society serves the poor in our community in a variety of ways, including prayer groups, personal home visits, gifts of furniture, food, grocery store vouchers, gas cards, bus passes, prescriptions, assistance with rent and utilities, and many other person-to-person services to those who are in need.
We are able to do this because of the generous donations of parishioners like you.
An Invitation:
“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 St. Vincent de Paul Society is easy to join. There is no initiation procedure. No special qualifications are required, other than the desire to join with others to help those in need for the love of God.
Christians have an obligation to serve others. This service can be done as an individual, but is often better accomplished by being a member of a Society which provides a wide range of opportunities.
There are three types of memberships: Active (Full), Associate, and Contributing. Consider becoming an active member if you can commit to attending two evening meetings per month and a few hours a week to take calls from clients in need or to make personal home visits with another member. Consider becoming an associate member if you have a special talent or experience that we can call upon when necessary, such as assisting in our fundraising efforts, or by delivering furniture. We are currently searching for a location to open a thrift store and food pantry. If you can assist us in this effort, please call 847-888-2828.
How You Can Help Now
Become a contributing member of the Society by:
-
Donating furniture items. Many of our clients are transitioning from a shelter to an apartment, and are in need of basic furniture to furnish their new living space. Our furniture inventory is always very low. We have a special and ongoing need for beds, as well as dressers, kitchen tables and especially chairs, living room furniture such as sofas, upholstered chairs, end tables, and even TV’s and microwaves.
Mission Statement
Inspired by Gospel Values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an International Catholic Lay Organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering tangible and spiritual support through prayer and person-to-person services to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron St. Vincent de Paul.
As a reflection of the whole family of God, Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an International Society of Charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings, and adherence to a basic Rule.
Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those serviced, because in them Vincentians see the face of Christ.
For more information about the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary Church, please call 847-888-2828.