Leadership

Michael Acaldo
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03-13-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
03-13-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Our Vincentian Charism

I just attended my first Midyear Business Meeting as your National CEO, and it was fantastic! It was wonderful to reunite with Vincentians that I have known for decades, and to meet others for the first time.

The Charism of our Society was on full display. As we all know, what a gift it is from the Holy Spirit to be a part of our Vincentian call to seek and find the forgotten. When we fulfill our call, we encounter Jesus in everyone we are blessed to serve.

Many Vincentians told me that they felt this was the best Midyear Meeting they have ever attended. There were a lot of reasons it was a great meeting.

First, when we gather, we fulfill our Vincentian call to grow spiritually and in friendship. That cannot happen at a virtual Zoom meeting.

Second, the focus of this year’s meeting was on Governance, Finance, and the Standards of Excellence, critical parts of good stewardship and essential for achieving Blessed Frédéric’s vision of a commitment to accountability within our Society. Special thanks to John Hallissy and Ed McCarthy for their excellent presentations on this subject matter.

Third, we were able to discuss and celebrate all our recent accomplishments. Our Regional Vice Presidents are working together to position our Councils, Conferences, and Special Works for success in keeping hope alive for the most vulnerable throughout our great country.

National President John Berry gave a State of the Society comprehensive report on the activities of our National Council. He provided an overview of how well Vision SVdP is shaping up, and how the information provided by our membership will lay out the roadmap for our future.

Sean Meyers gave the final report and a detailed plan from our Technology Task Force. His report highlighted our vision of how the use of technology will be key to the bright future of our Society.

It was also reported that our Society will officially open our Washington D.C. Office on April 4. As one of the largest lay Catholic groups in the country, this new office will give us the opportunity to share the stories of those we are blessed to serve with our leaders, but most importantly, with the whole country.

Earlier in this article, I mentioned the encounters we are blessed to have with those we serve. These encounters are priceless, and that is why it is so important for us to be that voice for the poor. We need to share their stories so together we can unite as a country to end some of the things we see on our encounters with those most in need.

How heartbreaking it is to visit a home with children who cannot even go to bed hungry because they do not even have a bed to sleep on.

How important are our encounters at SVdP Special Works, where people who are working come into our pharmacies because they cannot afford their life-sustaining medications.

We provide food, beds, prescription medicines, and so much more! Where would the most vulnerable be in our country or world without the Society?

Our Vincentian Charism is such a special gift — and so is the wisdom we share in our Vincentian friendship.

Several decades ago, a Vincentian leader in my hometown shared some wisdom with me that I cherish to this day. He was a two-time Council President in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, serving six years in the 1970s and six years in the 1990s.

Marvin Vincent Ourso was a Vincentian for almost 70 years before he went to his rest in heaven.

Many years ago, Marvin and I were having a conversation about how people can grow together with different views and thoughts on a variety of issues.

At the time, Marvin was in his early 70s, and I was in my late 20s. I was trying to understand the complex nature of relationships.

Marvin said, “As Vincentians, we are all trying to grow closer to Jesus. We are trying to follow His example.” He said, “Michael, you know that Jesus was both liberal and conservative (not in a political sense). He knows when to be liberal and when to be conservative. He is divine and we are not, but we need to do our best to look at everything through the lens that Jesus would want us to.”

Marvin went on to say, “For us brother and sister Vincentians, the most important thing we have is Christ and our friendship. Nothing can divide us if we grow together spiritually.”

These words of wisdom are even more important to me today than when Marvin shared them with me over 30 years ago.

That is what I saw on display at our Midyear Meeting: Vincentians embracing one another, sharing wisdom, and growing in spiritual friendship.

It is a blessing for me to meet and get to know each of you. You are God’s gift to our Society and all those we are blessed to serve!

Best wishes in Christ,
Michael J. Acaldo
National CEO

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03-27-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
03-27-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Are You a Virtuous Vincentian?

The classic definition of “virtue” is “a good quality or habit that reflects high moral standards.” We all know the three theological virtues — faith, hope, and love — and some may even remember the cardinal virtues: prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude.

But how many of us know and try to cultivate the five Vincentian virtues? You heard about them at Ozanam Orientation, and they appear in the Rule, but unless they’re a part of your daily life and vocation, they are easy to forget.

So, let’s review:

The first is SIMPLICITY. In the context of our vocation, this means being plain-spoken and transparent, eschewing ostentation and vainglory, not cultivating secret grievances or hidden agendas. Simplicity means that what you see is what you get.

The second is HUMILITY, for us perhaps the greatest of virtues. Humility doesn’t mean self-abnegation or detraction. Far from it. Humility means honestly admitting our strengths and our weaknesses and then relying on God’s grace to make up the difference. As T.S. Eliot said, “The only wisdom we can hope to acquire is the wisdom of humility.”

GENTLENESS is the third Vincentian virtue. Gentleness involves smoothing the hard edges of our personalities for the sake of others. It means treating everyone we encounter — including those we serve and those we serve with — respectfully and with grace and compassion.

The fourth virtue is SELFLESSNESS, which means placing the well-being of others, especially the poor, ahead of our own. As the Rule says, selflessness means, “Dying to our ego with a life of self-sacrifice; members share their time, their possessions, their talents and themselves in a spirit of generosity.” (2.5.1)

Finally, the fifth Vincentian virtue is ZEAL. For us, zeal is a passion for our work and the cause of those we serve. It is a heartfelt longing to see “the full flourishing and eternal happiness of every person.” (Rule 2.5.1)

Now, the fact is that there are more than 80,000 Vincentians in the United States. We each have our own personalities and experiences. We’re all at different points in our personal pathways of Christian discipleship. The result is that not all of us excel at all the virtues all the time. That’s to be expected — and it’s perfectly okay, so long as we keep at it!

For instance, the Vincentian I know best (that would be me), is full of zeal but could use a lot more humility. He’s relatively selfless but needs to work harder on gentleness. It’s okay. The Vincentian vocation is a lifelong school, and as with any skill or quality worth possessing, the virtues take time and practice to acquire.

But be warned: If we embrace and fully live the five Vincentian virtues, we will inevitably find ourselves more and more estranged from the world in which we live, and even from friends and family. We live in a time and culture that hates humility, that mocks gentleness, that equates simplicity with stupidity, that laughs at selflessness, that only honors zeal in pursuit of self-interest. The nature of our charism as Vincentians means that if we do this work and live these virtues, we will inevitably be countercultural, a sign of contradiction, hated and despised by some, laughed at by others.

That’s okay … in fact, it’s more than just okay. It is what we should expect. It’s even what we should hope and pray for!

After all, our Lord said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11, 12)

A parish in my town has a wayside pulpit on a busy intersection. Recently, it featured this question: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” As Vincentians and Catholics that should be a question that haunts us. It’s a question of integrity, and it really boils down to this: have we so blended what we claim to believe with how we live that there could be no judgment but “guilty?” The practice of simplicity, humility, gentleness, selflessness, and zeal in this vocation of charity all but guarantees it. And thank God for that.

Yours in Christ,
Mark Gordon
National Vice President, Northeast Region

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2025 SVdP USA Midyear Business Meeting Opening Remarks
2025 SVdP USA Midyear Business Meeting Opening Remarks 2000 1333 SVDP USA

by John Berry, National President

Every night, more than a half a million people in America experience homelessness. Imagine walking past them knowing they are someone’s mother, father, or child. As Vincentians, we cannot simply walk by — we are called to act. As Vincentians, and as Christians, we understand our profound responsibility to act boldly in service to others.  The words from 1 John, “‘Let us love, not with words but with deeds” are a reminder to all of us of the profound responsibility we share as Christians to live out our faith not just in what we say, but in what we do. We transform this divine mandate beyond just our service to those in need into action as bearers of hope and justice; things we are called to do by our faith, and upon which our Society was founded..

We each are familiar with the calls to action required to address the many needs in the world. And we celebrate the profound joy that comes from growing in holiness through our response to Christ’s call to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, give shelter to the homeless, welcome the stranger, minister to the sick, and visit the prisoner. The work of every Vincentian here today is a vital lifeline for countless people in need, individuals and families often standing at the brink of despair, searching for a glimmer of hope.

Every year we are faced with new challenges and new opportunities. The world constantly evolves. Amid the excitement of new beginnings and the anticipation of fresh starts, there are also apprehensions about the changes and challenges that may lie ahead. But amidst these feelings, one constant always remains: the enduring power of hope. And so, we must be Bearers of Hope to the countless many who wonder if hope exists, who wonder if love exists, who wonder if anyone cares.

For Hope is the belief that even in the face of adversity, goodness and redemption are possible. It is the conviction that we can overcome obstacles, heal divisions, and build a more just and compassionate world. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

Hope is the seed, but it is justice that is the harvest.

If we do not act, hope will remain just a dream. Justice must propel us to action, inspiring efforts that ripple outward, creating lasting change, and making our world a better place. And so, we must also become fighters for Justice. But we face a difficult challenge when frankly we sometimes must wonder if the world has lost its mind. A world that mirrors almost identically that of the 1830s in Paris, France where Frédéric Ozanam said:

“The problem that divides men and women in our day is… whether society will be only a great exploitation to the profit of the strongest or a consecration of each individual for the good of all and especially for the protection of the weak. There are a great many men and women who have too much and who wish to have more; there are a great many others who do not have enough, who have nothing, and who are willing to take if someone gives to them. Between these two classes of men, a confrontation is coming, and this menacing confrontation will be terrible; on the one side, the power of gold, on the other the power of despair.”

So, as in 1833 at our founding, we must become Advocates for Justice, transforming hope into action, and helping to heal our wounded world.

Now there are those who say we should not involve ourselves in advocacy or the great issues of the day. They say we should be content with the charity we offer and not try to change the things that cause or perpetuate poverty, dependency, and need.

To those people I would say that if we do not use the knowledge and learning we uniquely gain through our personal encounters with the people we serve to help change the causes of poverty, dependence, and need then we are failing in our duty as Christians and we are not being true to the foundations of our Society. Recall Frédéric Ozanam’s famous quote:

“Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveler who has been attacked. It is justice’s role to prevent the attack.”

In 1848 Frédéric Ozanam was the Vice President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. On the occasion on the General Assembly that year, he wrote a letter spoke to the vital importance of advocacy that the Society was obligated to undertake based on how we encountered the poor. Frederic wrote:

“Yes, without doubt, it is too little to relieve the needy day by day. It is necessary to get to the root of the evil, and by wise reforms to diminish the causes of public misery. But we profess to believe that the science of welfare reform is learned less in books and parliamentary debates, than by climbing up the floors of the poor man’s house,  by sitting at his bedside, by suffering the same cold as him, and by drawing out the secret of his desolate heart through the outpouring of a friendly conversation. When we have fulfilled this ministry, not for a few months, but for many years; when we have thus studied the poor at home, at school, at the hospital, not in one city only, but in many, in the countryside and in all the conditions where God has put it, then we begin to know the elements of this formidable problem of misery; then we have the right to propose serious measures, and instead of frightening society, we give it consolation and hope.

My friends, when the Society of St. Vincent de Paul began, in 1833, political groups were as present as today, armed as today, irreconcilable as today. It was the need to be united in the midst of a disunited people that forged our first bonds. Is this need not more urgent than ever? Do you not see that division penetrates everywhere, among honest people, among Christians, and even in the homes of all families? And when the times are so difficult, the problems so serious, the designs of God so hidden, how could the best citizens not be divided and not bring to their opposite opinions all the passion of their patriotism?”

The words are as true today as when they were written on December 14, 1848. They could have been written last week and been applicable to our world in 2025. They are our heritage, they are our history, they are the calling we must continue to follow in today’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Those who don’t understand that don’t understand the wholeness of the Society.

It is our Charity and our personal encounters with those we serve that gives us the credibility, the right — no, the obligation — to advocate on behalf of those we serve. As Frédéric wrote, we don’t learn about the poor from books and think tank sessions.  We learn about the poor be being with them, caring with them, suffering with them, praying with them, loving them.  That is what we must speak with and for them. To abandon our duty to serve them by advocating for them would be like abandoning them by refusing to provide them food or other aid.

Our call to serve the poor, the refugee, the sick, and all those who suffer injustice and oppression is also deeply rooted in Scripture. From the call of Isaiah in the Old Testament to the Gospel of Matthew we are told that our work must be holistic and transformative, addressing both immediate needs and systemic injustices. And Jesus tells us very clearly that our service to others is not just a charitable act — it is a divine mandate.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, celebrates a rich heritage of charitable work that began with our founding in 1833. That small effort by six college students has become a fire that lights the world. Today we serve in 155 countries around the world, with 800,000 Members and 1.5 million volunteers. We provided more 1.49 TRILLION Euros in Service to over 30 million people in 2023. And this year we will celebrate the 180th Anniversary of the founding of the Society here in the United States.

Our SVdP core value is deep, personal encounters with those we serve. It is this heritage of compassionate, relational charity that is the foundation of who we are and what we cherish and honor as we move forward.

Vincentians understand the words that George Bernard Shaw wrote many years ago, “The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them.” So, the SVdP commitment to a human-to-human, Christ-centered encounter with all those we serve is unwavering and ensures that we are never indifferent to their material needs, but more importantly, we are not indifferent to their need to be seen, to be heard, and to be loved; by us and by God. Our commitment to compassion and service is unwavering.

Our founders underscored the importance of charity as an inclusive act, not merely an exchange of goods but a genuine relationship and community-building effort. But Ozanam also passionately spoke to the need to address the underlying causes of poverty and injustice. Frédéric said:

“Charity is not sufficient, it treats the wounds but does not stop the blows that cause them.
There comes a time when Charity is unable to do everything, and justice alone can ensure the well-being of all”

In his 2017 World Day of the Poor message, Pope Francis wrote:

“We may think of the poor simply as the beneficiaries of our occasional volunteer work, or of impromptu acts of generosity that appease our conscience. However good and useful such acts may be for making us sensitive to people’s needs and the injustices that are often their cause, they ought to lead to a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life.”

That true spiritual encounter touches us. It enriches us. It’s true value is that it is a shared encounter.

To serve effectively in an ever-changing world, we are challenged to open our minds and hearts. We must ask ourselves: How can we be more inclusive? How can we address the root causes of poverty rather than just the symptoms?

The needs of the poor are evolving. And the face of poverty is changing; seniors, women, single parents, and the displaced middle class have become a larger part of the more than 5 million people we serve every year. And as the world evolves, so do the needs of the poor.

This year, SVdP USA is taking bold new action to increase the impact of our work and channel our hopes into concrete action. On April 4, we will open our second National Office in Washington, DC. We will increase our efforts to advocate on behalf of those we serve and turn our focus more intensely towards the pressing issues of our time, particularly the scourge of poverty and homelessness that afflicts far too many of our fellow Americans. As we were recently recognized as the 59th largest nonprofit in the United States by Forbes Magazine, providing over $1.7 Billion in services directly to over 5 million people in need last year, we have a right to be heard and a voice that matters.  That 5 million people is not just a number — that’s 5 million lives changed, 5 million families given a second chance, and they have a right to have their stories told and their needs identified to the people who can change the law and break down the barriers that are preventing them achieving stability and self-sufficiency.  We are that voice!

The unique direct relationship we have with our neighbors in need gives us a perspective and view from the reality of the poor that we are obligated to share with policy makers and like-minded nonprofits and other organizations to help drive change. Our new DC office will anchor that advocacy work.

The stark and shocking reality of America and the world today is that millions of our brothers and sisters lack basic necessities — affordable housing, nutritious food, and quality healthcare. Families live on the streets, children go to bed hungry, and the cycle of poverty persists. Imagine a mother putting her children down to sleep on a cold night — with no bed and no roof overhead. Or a child going to school hungry, unable to focus on learning. This is the reality WE must change.

This is a crisis of conscience for our nation and every nation. It is a stark reminder that the pursuit of individual prosperity cannot come at the expense of the common good. We are called, as followers of Christ, to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.

As we look ahead, I am inspired by what we can accomplish together. Imagine a community where every child has access to food, every family has a safe place to call home, and every individual feels valued. Together, we can make that vision a reality.

The task before us is daunting, but not insurmountable. We cannot solve the problems of poverty and homelessness overnight. But we can, each one of us, make a difference. We can be a force for good in the world. We can build a more just and compassionate society, a society where everyone can live a life of dignity and hope.

Our goal must be not just to alleviate suffering but to encounter the divine in our service to others. By looking to the future with hope and embracing new ways of doing things, we serve in ways that are both meaningful and transformative.

In his 2023 message for the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis wrote:

“Our daily efforts to welcome the poor are still not enough. A great river of poverty is traversing our cities and swelling to the point of overflowing; it seems to overwhelm us, so great are the needs of our brothers and sisters who plead for our help, support, and solidarity.” … It is easy to delegate charity to others, yet the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved.”

This call to perseverance in the face of what at times seems like hopelessness reminds us that our efforts, though sometimes modest, are significant. Every novel approach, every innovative idea, can make a profound difference. Each of us matters.

We stand poised to face new challenges with courage and creativity. As we move forward, let us do so with hearts full of love, minds open to innovation, and spirits grounded in the timeless values of our faith.

Together, we can make a difference that echoes through the ages, bringing hope and healing to a world in need.

My Brothers and Sisters, the call to serve is a divine mandate that transcends time and tradition. Let us be committed and courageous in our approach to answering that call.

Let us commit, in the spirit of the Gospel of Matthew 25, to serving Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters.

Let us commit to be courageous in adapting our charitable efforts to meet the evolving needs of the poor.

Let us commit to embrace this new year with renewed hope and a renewed commitment to action as instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world.

Let us commit together to build a beloved community where all are welcome, where all are valued, and where all can flourish.

Let us commit to be bold, compassionate, and innovative as we work together to build a future filled with hope and healing.

And let us commit that our efforts will reflect the love of Christ in every act of charity we undertake.

Together, we are the light that dispels the darkness. We are the hands of Christ, the voice of the voiceless, the hope of the hopeless. And we will not stop until justice is done, until love reigns, until all are seen, heard, and embraced in dignity.

As we move forward with courage and faith; without fear or apprehension let us be inspired by the words of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, “Let us not be discouraged; let us be better.”

In closing, I offer you the words of St. Vincent de Paul: “Go to the poor: you will find God.” This simple yet profound directive guides all of us in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in our mission to serve with love and compassion.

Thank you, and God bless.

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02-27-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
02-27-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

I still remember my mother’s favorite prayer, “God grant me patience…. And grant it to me right now!”

My mom needed to have a lot of patience in her life. My father had passed away at the age of 33 from an aggressive form of lung cancer, leaving my 29-year-old mother with four children under the age of 7. I would like to say that us children were models of good behavior…but that was not always the case. We were normal, rambunctious children with typical sibling rivalries and behaviors. Our mother showed us immense love, grace, and patience, even as she was struggling with raising a family without her husband.

My mother loved us, raised us with expectations for leading a good life and grounded us in our Catholic faith. My mother was the role model for my faith journey. I have memories as a child of seeing her kneel at her bedside saying her nighttime prayers after a long day of chasing her children. Although things were difficult, she relied on her faith to guide her through the ups and downs of her life. She was patient and let God’s plan for her life unfold over time.

I would like to say that I inherited my mother’s virtue of patience — but regrettably, I did not. Too often I have found myself to be impatient about delays, mix-ups, long lines, or computer glitches. I show little patience for people who are late to appointments, tardy in getting assignments done, or meeting obligations either large or small.

We live in a technologically advanced society where we travel across the country in hours, talk directly to people around the globe in seconds, and have packages arrive at our doorstep from around the world within a day or two from ordering them online. We are irritated at the slightest delay in traffic. We are short on patience and short on grace.

In the last few years, with the help of prayers, spiritual reflection, and the guidance and example of my fellow Vincentians, I have started to work on my sin of impatience, albeit slowly. Being a Vincentian has taught me that God reveals His plan on His time and at His pace. We cannot and do not change the world. Only God possesses that Power of Change. It is up to us to be patient and listen to God through our prayers and our interactions with our neighbors in need. As Vincentians, we can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of neighbors in need or by the finite limit of our resources. We must be patient and know that God is always present, and His plan is unfolding as He wills.

As I look back at the difficult times throughout my life, I realize that God always answered my prayers — not on my timeline or my wants, but on His timeline and what I truly needed. In all cases, God’s plan and timing was exactly what I needed in my life.

Our Vincentian vocation calls us to a deeper relationship with God through our service to our neighbors. We realize that when we do His work as He commanded us, we supply the effort — but it is God who supplies the result. As we go about our mission as Vincentians, let us show patience to the people we serve, patience with the slow process of change, patience to our fellow Vincentians and finally, patience to ourselves. After all, we all are works in progress. God is not finished with working miracles in our lives or in the world!

Yours in Christ,
Chuck Korte
National Vice President, Midwest Region

John Berry
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02-20-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
02-20-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

VisionSVdP — What’s Next?

You might be wondering what happened to VisionSVdP. There was a lot of activity and hoopla around it for much of 2024, but recently, things have been pretty quiet, right? Well, I’m going to update you where we are, where we’re going, and make you a promise — it’s not going to be quiet for very long.

Let me start by saying that Phase I of VisionSVdP was a grand slam home run success! We had an incredible outpouring of thoughts and ideas and comments from across the country. From small Conferences to large Councils, people participated and were excited to share their thoughts about the Society. It was great to see.

And from that, we received a lot of comments. I mean a lot of comments! So a good deal of time has been spent entering them into our database at the National Office. Comments are being entered as written, with no editing. Once that is completed later this month, the data gurus will start to “do that voodoo that they do” so well. (Bonus points if you can name the movie that line came from!) They will sort, categorize, rank order, and do all kinds of other things with the data.

At the Midyear Meeting the first week in March, I will present an overview of what we heard. You will get that overview both by email and in Frédéric’s Five. You will also receive a link so you can look at every single comment made — unfiltered, unedited.

Then the fun starts. We’re going to look at everything and see what jumps out at us. What did a lot of people comment about? What did they think we really needed to fix, to add, to subtract, to change, to enhance? What did the thousands of Vincentian voices of SVdP USA have to say?

And then we’ll choose a manageable number of themes and get down to work. Or I should say…you will get down to work. Because you are going to tell us what we need to do.

We’ll identify the areas — for example, let’s say there are seven of them. Then we’ll create working groups — all over. At Conferences, at Councils, at Special Works…wherever it makes sense, and wherever a group of Vincentians wants to work on the subject. And you can volunteer for the group that is tackling the subject for which you have the greatest passion or interest. You can even join two if you want! (But the cutoff is two working groups per person.)

The working groups will meet as often as they feel is necessary, and then in late Fall, we will ask ALL Councils to hold a one- or two-day gathering to bring all these working groups together and develop a set of Recommendations for Action.

At that time, Councils will also elect two representatives (who CANNOT be the Council President) to represent the Council at a National Congress to be held in January 2026.

At that National Congress, the elected representatives will spend three days developing a National VisionSVdP Action Plan, which will provide us with specific plans for implementing what has come out of VisionSVdP.

There will be a lot more detail as we get further along, but that’s how it will work. It’s going to be a blast!

Peace and God’s blessings,
John

John Berry
National President

Michael Acaldo
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02-13-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
02-13-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Focusing on Christ

A couple of months ago, I celebrated my 35th anniversary of being a part of our Vincentian family. Thirty-five years of blessings and an opportunity to learn and grow from the wisdom of Vincentians. I also just celebrated my five-month anniversary as your National CEO, and wow, have I learned a lot!

As Vincentians, we are called to be like a sponge, absorbing knowledge and spiritual growth from our brother and sister Vincentians. I began my Vincentian journey as a 22-year-old. I did not know much then — and I quickly learned, the more wisdom that was shared with me, the more I realized that I had to learn.

Older and wiser Vincentians taught me never to go to a gathering or meeting with my mind already made up on a particular matter but instead, arrive at the meeting with the desire to listen and discern the best solution.

As many of you know, Sam Pettway, founder of Boardwalk Consulting, is the recruiter who led the recent nationwide SVdP CEO search. After Sam reached out and asked me if I had any interest in the role, he asked me to describe myself. I told Sam that I consider myself a student of life, with the desire to keep on learning and growing. For me, the most attractive thing about our Society is our mission that calls us to grow together spiritually and in friendship so that we can serve Christ — our neighbor in need.

We have all heard the saying that if you have seen one St. Vincent de Paul Conference or Council, you have only seen one. We have such a strong and diverse way of focusing on serving Christ. This is what makes us special.

In the first Beatitude, when Christ says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” He is talking to us! He is asking each of us to recognize our spiritual poverty and our need to grow closer to Him.

St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and Blessed Rosalie Rendu serve as examples for us all to emulate. They lived in times far more difficult than what we face today. They saw challenges as opportunities to live their faith and keep their focus on Christ.

We should not put our faith into anyone or anything except Christ — we can count on Him, and He is counting on us! In a world where many are searching for Jesus, we have found Him in those we visit, comfort, and provide hope to in the most challenging times. How blessed we are to know that we are on a constant journey to serve Christ and grow closer to Him. There are so many in the world who don’t even know they should search and find Christ. We must keep them in our prayers.

The Lenten Season is just a few weeks away, and it will be a wonderful time to reflect on our virtues of Simplicity, Humility, Gentleness, Selflessness, and Zeal. We are called to be that bright light of Christ in the world, and to share the gift of the Society with others so they can live their faith in a Vincentian Way!

Thank you all for sharing the priceless gift of yourself with the Society and those we are blessed to serve!

Best wishes in Christ,
Michael J. Acaldo
National CEO

John Berry
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02-06-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
02-06-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Very unsettling news that became public this week has sent a shockwave through the Catholic charitable community. As it impacts one the largest and most important Catholic international aid organizations, it demands reflection and a realization of how policy that might appear to address one issue can have devastating impact on innocents.

Catholic Relief Services, CRS, is bracing for massive cuts — as much as 50% this year — because of draconian reductions in U.S. foreign assistance ordered by the new administration.

CRS is the top recipient of funds for foreign aid to support people in need around the world, aid which the administration has targeted with a spending freeze. Layoffs have already begun, as CRS has been forced to begin shutting down programs, as close to half of the organization’s $1.5 billion budget has been slashed. The cuts would amount to one of the biggest blows ever to CRS, founded in 1943 by Catholic bishops in the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. CRS reaches more than 200 million people in 121 countries on five continents.

This is a tragic outcome for people around the world who rely on CRS and others who believe in the call of Christ to ‘love your neighbor’ for survival. It is important that we pray for our sisters and brothers at CRS who are doing God’s work as they go through this turmoil, that we pray for the innocents who will suffer because of these actions, and for an understanding by policymakers of the universal impact of their actions and a consideration of all impacted by those actions before they are taken.

This is not about politics. Politicians get elected and they have a right to enact the policies that they ran on and were elected on. No, this is about morality and doing what is right. This is about not cutting off your head because you have a cold. This is about not blowing up your house because your sink leaks. This is about thinking about the impact of your actions before you take them.

There is no excuse for making the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the sick suffer while you ‘study’ the massive expenditures of the federal government. If there is waste, identify where, and cut it. You’ll be applauded. Don’t shut down vital lifesaving aid to millions while you look — people die that way. Look first, act second.

This is about the fact that we, as Christians, believe that caring for the poor, the homeless, the sick, and the elderly is not just a moral duty. It’s a divine mandate from God and Jesus. This obligation is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible and the example set by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.

The Bible is replete with verses that emphasize the importance of helping those in need. In the Old Testament, God commands His people to care for the less fortunate. For instance, in Deuteronomy 15:11, it is written, “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'” This verse highlights the perpetual presence of poverty and the continuous need for generosity and compassion.

The teachings of Jesus in the New Testament further reinforce this obligation. Jesus’ ministry was marked by His compassion for the marginalized and the suffering. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus speaks about the final judgment and identifies Himself with the needy. We know that this passage underscores the idea that serving the needy is equivalent to serving Christ Himself.

Moreover, the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates the call to love and care for others, regardless of their background or circumstances. The Samaritan’s actions demonstrate that true neighborly love transcends social and ethnic boundaries and is characterized by mercy and compassion.

The early Christian community also exemplified this mandate. In Acts 2:44-45, it is recorded that “all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” This communal sharing and support for the needy were foundational to the early Church’s identity and mission.

So too do Governments have a fundamental obligation to support those in need during policy making. This responsibility is rooted in the principles of life, liberty, justice, and the common good. Effective governance requires that policies are designed to uplift the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring that everyone has access to basic necessities and opportunities for a better life.

Historically, U.S. governmental entities (both Republican and Democratic) have reached out to Catholic organizations in order to deliver social services more effectively and efficiently. America has a profound moral obligation to support those in need, both domestically and globally. This responsibility stems from the nation’s values of justice, compassion, and leadership. As a global leader, the United States has the capacity and resources to make a significant impact on alleviating suffering worldwide.

Moreover, America’s history of humanitarian aid reflects its commitment to global welfare. The Marshall Plan, for instance, helped rebuild Europe after World War II, demonstrating the nation’s dedication to fostering stability and prosperity beyond its borders. By supporting those in need globally, America not only fulfills its moral obligations but also promotes peace, stability, and goodwill. This approach fosters international cooperation and strengthens global partnerships, ultimately contributing to a more just and peaceful world.

In summary, Christians are called to care for the poor, the homeless, the sick, and the elderly as a reflection of God’s love and compassion. This mandate is not merely a suggestion, but a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship, rooted in the teachings of the Bible and the example of Jesus Christ. By serving those in need, Christians fulfill their divine obligation and embody the love of Christ in the world.

Peace and God’s blessings,
John

John Berry
SVdP National President

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Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA President John Berry Statement on Federal Funding Freeze
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA President John Berry Statement on Federal Funding Freeze 1920 1920 SVDP USA
By John Berry, National President, SVdP USA

While a federal judge has temporarily blocked a White House move to freeze federal grants and loans, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul USA (SVdP) remains deeply concerned about the impact this action could have on the most vulnerable of our population.

SVdP acknowledges and respects the right of the President and his Administration to implement policies that he campaigned on, but at the same time, millions of low-income Americans depend on federal assistance for rent, food and other assistance to stave off poverty and homelessness. Even a temporary disruption to this funding will likely result in hardworking people being forced out of their homes at a time when homelessness across the country is already on the rise.

As one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to preventing homelessness, SVdP urges the White House to take a more discerning and equitable approach to ensure that vulnerable families remain housed. We also call on the Administration to recognize that high rates of poverty and homelessness are unacceptable and represent a crisis of conscience for our nation.

We can debate policies, but first we must open our eyes and hearts to the suffering around us and then change the systems that perpetuate poverty by advocating for affordable housing, living wages and access to quality education and healthcare. Therefore, we ask the Administration to immediately lift the freeze on funding and begin good faith discussions to determine how their goals can be achieved without creating greater suffering among the innocent, whose lives rely on the support of these government programs.

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