Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois

St. Vincent de Paul Society

"…I was hungry and you fed me …."

Click here to go directly to St. Vincent dePaul Thrift Store Web Site

History

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam, in response to the challenge for Christians to "practice what they preach." 20-year-old Frederic and some fellow students started to seek out and visit homes of the poor in Paris, taking them bread, clothing, friendship and concern. The group took as their patron Saint Vincent de Paul, a great French priest who alerted the world to social problems. Today the "SVDP" as it is known, is a worldwide lay organization of Christian women and men, of all walks of life, numbering 750,000 (of whom 61,00 are in the U.S.).

Back to Top

The Society At Work Worldwide
Members meet in parish and district groups to help in a personal way those in need. The aim of the SVDP is to bring social justice and the friendship of true charity to all those in need. There is no need which is outside the concern of the Society.

"… the poor you will have with you always…."

The Society supports and operates free dining services, children's camps, rehabilitation workshops, financial assistance and overseas aid. No matter how good the welfare systems offered by the State may be, the work of the SVDP will always be necessary, for it is fundamentally the giving of oneself in friendship to another, which can only be given in a personal encounter. The Gospels tell us that true peace is possible only if we live as Christ showed us by His own life.

Back to Top

The Society At Work In This Diocese

In the Diocese of Belleville, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is involved in:

  • Parish outreach to the poor, sick, aged imprisoned, etc.
  • Financial assistance, companionship, welcoming and other parish assistance
  • Thrift stores and charitable collections
  • Food pantries, Cosgrove's Kitchen (soup kitchen) and a traveling soup bus

For any parish that is interested social justice, peace and justice, outreach, etc., establishing a St. Vincent de Paul chapter is an important first step. Contact Joe Hubbard at 618-398-5616 or via email for startup information.

Back to Top

Membership

If you've ever said, "I wish I could help," you can through the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, whatever your age, gender or skill. All we ask is a few hours of your time.

Membership involves:
A regular meeting of perhaps an hour's duration. Community needs are reported and discussed, action is taken, and follow-up plans are agreed upon. The business of the meeting is strictly confidential because people's personal and financial affairs and needs are often discussed. Confidential collections are taken from members, who give whatever they feel they can afford in support of the group's ministry. Short prayers are said during the meeting to remind members that the motivation for their work is the love of God. From there, members make home visits to those in need, typically in pairs.

For any parish that is interested social justice, peace and justice, outreach, etc., establishing a St. Vincent de Paul chapter is an important first step. Contact Joe Hubbard at 618-398-5616 or via email for startup information.

Back to Top

Associate Membership

Active SVDP membership requires regular person to person contact with people in need in your community. We understand that not everyone is equipped with the time, gifts or ability to embrace the suffering of others so personally. Associate Membership is available for those who wish to value and support the Society in other ways.

Every parishioner, regardless of capacities and circumstances, can partner with SVDP's charitable activities. You can support our undertakings financially, through volunteering, and by praying for the people whom we serve and for us. Any well-disposed Christian can become a brother or sister in the world-wide Vincentian family in these ways.

  1. Accepting and endorsing the Society's goals of helping the suffering.
  2. Adhering to the Vincentian practice of giving without regard to creed, opinion, color, origin or caste.
  3. Respecting the dignity of the poor.
  4. Adopting the spiritual ends of the Society, to "strive through prayer, meditations on the Scriptures, fidelity to the teachings of the Church and in various aspects of their daily lives, to bear witness to the love of Christ in their relationships with those most in need."
  5. Being available to the poor, not in judgment of them.
  6. Participating when able in general meetings, Masses and gatherings.
  7. Contributing to the work of the Society by the offering of alms within your means and in the spirit of generous self-denial.

Contact Joe Hubbard at 618-398-5616 or via email for more information.

Back to Top