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John Berry
06-05-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

06-05-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

“It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so that they end up not being able to do anything. The spirit of God urges one gently to do the good that can reasonably be done, so that it may be…

Michael Acaldo
05-29-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

05-29-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Inspiration and Innovation: Living Our Vincentian Charism in Today’s World “What the world needs now is love, sweet love — it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…”  This 1965 hit from Jackie DeShannon sums up the world’s deep need for Vincentian love — now more than ever. Where did I get the…

Second Chances: SVdP Hosts Senate Event on Re-entry Solutions 2560 1920 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

Second Chances: SVdP Hosts Senate Event on Re-entry Solutions

Second Chances: SVdP Hosts Senate Event on Re-entry Solutions Phil Conley didn’t grow up expecting to speak in the halls of the U.S. Senate. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he lost his father at a young age and saw violence, drugs, and incarceration shape nearly every aspect of life around him. “The only…

SVdP Bridges Access to Reemployment in Iowa through Back2Work Programs 2560 1936 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

SVdP Bridges Access to Reemployment in Iowa through Back2Work Programs

SVdP Bridges Access to Reemployment in Iowa through Back2Work Programs In 2017, two years into his tenure as CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) in Des Moines, Iowa, Steve Havemann had an eye-opening realization: 34% of the people being served by SVdP Des Moines had been incarcerated at some point in…

05-22-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

05-22-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Embracing the Call to Servant Leadership With just over four months left in our fiscal year, many presidents are approaching the end of their terms. Some feel relieved and are looking forward to transitioning into a mentoring role. For others, however, it brings mounting anxiety as they struggle to find someone willing to step into…

John Berry
05-15-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

05-15-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

I have been reading Victor Gaetan’s book ‘God’s Diplomats: Pope Francis, Vatican Diplomacy, and America’s Armageddon.’ It is a fascinating and highly readable exploration of the Catholic Church’s evolving approach to global conflict resolution and peace building, emphasizing the Church’s shift from the “just war” tradition to a “just peace” framework rooted in dialogue, impartiality,…

Michael Acaldo
05-08-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

05-08-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Our Vincentian Family From East to West and North to South Minutes before this issue of Frederic’s Five was finalized, the world learned that the Holy Spirit has chosen Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. We know that he will embrace our mission of serving Christ by encountering those in need and one…

Election of Pope Leo XIV: Statement from SVdP USA National President John Berry 1920 1080 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

Election of Pope Leo XIV: Statement from SVdP USA National President John Berry

Election of Pope Leo XIV: Statement from SVdP USA National President John Berry The moment a new Pope steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time is always a powerful reminder that the Catholic Church endures and that the Holy Spirit is not finished with us yet. On behalf of the…

05-01-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

05-01-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

Often when explaining what the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is, I use the 3-legged milk stool as an analogy. Our purpose is to grow in holiness, in service to the poor, and in friendship. Those are our essential elements. I’m woefully lacking in spirituality so that’s an area where I can improve the…

A Seat for Everyone at SVdP 2560 1920 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

A Seat for Everyone at SVdP

A Seat for Everyone: A New Year’s Meal Served with Dignity by SVdP When Meghan McKern joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) in Chicago, she wasn’t sure how she could help. As a fine dining chef with years of experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, she wondered how her skills fit into the hands-on,…

Op-Ed: Should Charity Be Apolitical? 1080 1350 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

Op-Ed: Should Charity Be Apolitical?

Op-Ed Published 4/25/2025 in Real Clear Religion. Submitted by John Berry, National President of Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA Why should a Catholic charity involve itself in advocacy? “Stay out of politics,” many would say. If you want to help the poor, stick with works of charity. Leave it to the experts to…

John Berry
04-24-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA
  • SVdP USA

04-24-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

A Shepherd to the Poor: Remembering Pope Francis In the passing of Pope Francis, the world has lost not only the Bishop of Rome but a tireless voice for the voiceless, a prophet of mercy, and a shepherd whose heart beat in time with the most forgotten of God’s children. For those of us who…

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