Michael Acaldo

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7-10-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
7-10-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Sharing Christ’s Light and Love

As Vincentians, we know that the worlds of public policy and helping our neighbors are often intertwined.

Take the soaring cost of medicine. As Vincentians, we see the effect these costs have on those we serve every day. It’s an issue that one administration after another talks about – but rarely manages to do anything about.

But Vincentians always seem to find a way, don’t we?

In 1995, Baton Rouge opened the first St. Vincent de Paul charitable pharmacy in the country offering free medicine to those who needed it. Why? Because on Home Visits, we met people forced to choose between food and life-saving medications.

From there, the idea blossomed in places like Cincinnati, Atlanta, Dallas, Madison, Monroe, Houma-Thibodeaux, and Biloxi. The effort in Cincinnati required us to take an active role in advocating for legislation in Ohio to allow charitable pharmacies to exist. Our leadership in Ohio even helped draft the state bill in 2006 that permitted them. The same thing happened in Texas, where our leaders there took an active role with legislative leaders on this issue.

The result? Hundreds of thousands of free prescriptions have been filled by Vincentian pharmacies – ensuring people do not have to make that horrible choice between food or rent and medicine.

I have personally seen Christ walk through our pharmacy doors in Baton Rouge. I have seen Him in the faces of people brought to tears — not from sorrow, but joy. I will never forget one couple I met there. They had worked their entire lives, but the wife desperately needed medication they could not afford (this was before Medicare Part D). We helped them, and I will always treasure their tears of gratitude.

But that is not where this story ended. Sometimes as Vincentians we do not realize the far-reaching effects of bringing Christ’s love to someone. The husband in the story above, touched by the love we showed, heard about our toy drive for children in need.

Though he could not afford to buy gifts to donate, he had woodworking skills. He began crafting wooden toys from scrap wood — dozens that first year, then over four hundred the next. Every day, he had a goal to make a toy or two because he wanted to share that love. He did it for several years, until he physically could not anymore. His generosity inspired all of us as Vincentians immeasurably, and this propelled our Council to establish many other new efforts and initiatives through the years.

Christ recognized that there were big problems in the world, but He also knew that solving them started with going to the hungry, the thirsty and the naked and addressing their individual needs with God’s grace. Yes, we are called to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but most importantly we must love our neighbor. For us, that is done by living our Vincentian Charism and going joyfully into the corners where few others dare to bring Christ’s light and love.

Best wishes in Christ,

Michael J. Acaldo

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Regional Meetings in Nine States
Regional Meetings in Nine States 2560 1706 SVDP USA

Regional Meetings in Nine States

Vincentians from across the United States gathered together this spring and summer at nine different regional meetings to embrace their shared friendship, spirituality, and service to the neighbor. More than 1,000 Vincentians were in attendance, representing all nine regions and hundreds of SVdP Conferences and Councils.  See below for highlights of each region’s gathering.

Southeast Region

Mid-West Region

Some comments from Vincentians at the Midwest Regional Meeting:

“This is my first regional meeting and I didn’t realize all the different works of charity that other Conferences do. I am bringing back some ideas to my own Conference.”
“I always enjoy coming to the Regional meeting. It reminds of why I became a Vincentian in the first place!”
“The spiritual aspect of the meeting serves as a mini-retreat for me and helps me grow as a Vincentian.”

Mountain Region

North Central Region

Mid-Atlantic Region

“For the second year in a row, we had nearly 100 Vincentians attend from the Councils in the region. They noted the strength and relevance of the agenda topics and speakers. From surveys collected, I felt as if our Vincentians are anxious to hear more in-depth information about our Society, its future and best practices among Conferences and Councils, and love their time together in fellowship.” – Paul “Korky” Korkemaz, National Vice-President, Mid-Atlantic Region

Northeast Region

Mid-East Region

South Central Region

“I wanted to share the pictures of the beautiful Vincentians we met on the 645 mile trip that Barbara and I took at the beginning of May. We had a wonderful time meeting the Louisiana councils and conferences and got to understand the amazing works being done. We are truly blessed to have the Society of St. Vincent de Paul represented so well in Louisiana. I want to thank the leadership and the members for all they did to make this trip so much fun as well as the hospitality they showed us. Thank you!” -Michael Pazzaglini, National Vice President – South Central Region

West Region

Some comments from Vincentians in the West Region:

“I mostly liked getting to meet and learn from other Vincentians.”
“I liked the Poverty Simulation, which gave me more insight into the lives of our neighbors in need, especially the time it took to access needed resources.”
“It’s always good to spend time with other like-minded Vincentians. The spiritual talks and mass lifted my spirits, rejuvenating me to go forward in the name of Christ.”
“The poverty simulation softened our hearts and created a better understanding and compassion to the needs of our friends and the continued need from St. Vincent de Paul’s brothers and sisters.”

Regional Map Reference:

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A Prescription for Hope in SVdP Pharmacies
A Prescription for Hope in SVdP Pharmacies 2560 1707 SVDP USA

A Prescription for Hope: How SVdP’s Pharmacies Change Lives One Pill at a Time

Every day, Society of St. Vincent de Paul pharmacist Kellie Elisar sees the fallout of a broken system: Patients who can’t afford insulin, seniors choosing between blood pressure medication and groceries, grieving spouses who can’t pay for prescriptions.

“I find some days I’m a sister, sometimes I’m a mother, and sometimes I’m a social worker,” says Elisar, who is in charge of SVdP’s charitable pharmacy in Baton Rouge, La. “It just depends on the day and the need that the patient has.

“Today, we had a gentleman that came in and he lost his wife. Financially, things just completely changed for him. He was so used to having extra Social Security income from his wife, and they would pay everything together. And then, ‘Whoa, now what do I do?’”

At a time when soaring drug prices remain a major political issue, SVdP’s innovative charitable pharmacies have long been working at the grass roots to address the immediate needs of people in places such as Baton Rouge, Dallas and Cincinnati. It’s in these facilities that hope beckons for people whose day to day lives are overshadowed by the need to pay for medicine.

“Medicine or food, food or medicine. When you’re making those kinds of choices, it’s not really a choice,” says Michael Acaldo, Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA’s National Chief Executive Officer.

When he was the president and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Council in 1995, he encountered too many people forced to make such a choice.

“Back in 1995, there was no Medicare Part D,” he said. “Even on just regular Medicare and other income, they could have prescription medicines that cost more than their entire monthly budget combined.

“If it’s a chronic disease, their call isn’t just for help today or this month. It becomes a long-term problem.”

Acaldo organized his Baton Rouge team to create SVdP’s first charitable pharmacy, one whose concept of long-term free pharmaceutical support has now spread nationally. Sometimes people walk in to the pharmacies. Other times, Vincentians discover the needs of people during one-on-one Home Visits with the people they serve.

“What a powerful opportunity [when we] fill that prescription every month. That is a heart, soul-driven activity because that is us really connecting with Christ.”

The work couldn’t be done without people, companies and organizations that are generous with their treasure, their time, and – yes – their pharmaceuticals.

“On a daily basis, we are getting donations from the public (and) nursing homes,” Elisar says. “They had somebody that passed away, or they had mail order sending me bottles of medicine where people don’t know what to do with them because their insurance covers it and they call and ask if we can use it.

“We put dates on them and make sure that everything is compliant with the pharmacy board. That allows me to have the access to be able to fill prescriptions that are very, very expensive.”

Elisar, her team of two staff and about five volunteers have a daily encounter with Christ through these recipients.

“I’ve literally had somebody come in and they said, ‘Thank you for being kind. Nobody has been kind to me today.’ I’m getting chills just thinking about it. How did you not see Christ in every single person that walks through this door?”

Cincinnati Builds a Legislative Path

This innovative  model was eventually adopted by SVdP Conferences and Councils across the country and even helped inspire legislation in Ohio to open the door for charitable pharmacies.

“We were meeting with our neighbors and learning more about some of their challenges,” says Brad McMonigle, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati. “It became a pattern where they were having to choose between buying food, paying rent, taking their medication as prescribed or not taking it at all.

“The leadership in Cincinnati actually assisted in drafting a bill in Ohio to allow for charitable pharmacies. That bill was passed, and in 2006, the charitable pharmacy in Cincinnati was launched.”

Originally, the Cincinnati effort led to 7,000 prescriptions filled in the pharmacy’s first year. Now, the Cincinnati pharmacy is on target to reach its 110,000th prescription this year.

“We will fill their first 30 days with very little questions asked, because we know that they’re not coming with all their paperwork, all their proof of income. They’re just coming in in desperate need,” McMonigle says.

“We will schedule an appointment for them to come in with all that requested information, to see if they then are approved for ongoing care. Once they come under our care, we’ll serve them until they either are able to obtain insurance or they have a better income.”

Offering Spiritual Medicine

The SVdP Dallas pharmacy started similarly through the work of one longtime Vincentian, Hank Herman, whose dogged work with state legislators allowed Saint Vincent de Paul North Texas to open its doors in 2018 and offer more than 400,000 free prescriptions in seven years.

“It’s one of those things where we know that we literally are saving people’s lives because of the medications that we’re giving,” says Luis Gonzalez, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul North Texas.

“We have one patient, a young adult diabetic. We’ve been taking care of her since she was 15 years old. Last year, she told us, ‘I’m going to college because you saved my life. I can go to college and have a life because you’ve been taking care of me and giving me medications.’ Those kinds of things happen to us all the time.”

To maintain and expand their reach, such innovative ministry needs financial support, the kind that Gonzalez says brings an incredible return on compassionate investment.

“The value of these medications, from a pure financial standpoint for an investor, a dollar in is about $35 to $40 worth of value going out the door because of the value of the medication,” he said.

That’s beyond the spiritual medicine that people like Elisar and her team, and similar St. Vincent de Paul pharmacy teams, offer those in need.

There are now seven St. Vincent de Paul charitable pharmacies across the country that provide long-term low-cost or free pharmaceutical support to their communities. SVdP pharmacies can be found in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houma, Madison, and Monroe. Access to health care has completely transformed the lives of those in need.

Click on the following links to learn more about St. Vincent de Paul charitable pharmacies:
– Atlanta | Baton Rouge | Biloxi | Cincinnati | Dallas | Houma |  Madison | Monroe

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6-12-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
6-12-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Vincentian Friendship – A Priceless Gift

Photo: A picture of Vincentian Friendship! From left to right, Rosie Martina, long-time Vincentian, Denise Terrance, SVDP Baton Rouge Director of Food Services, and Michael Acaldo pose for a quick photo in September of 2024 at the SVDP Charitable Campus in Baton Rouge.

Through 36 years of my Vincentian journey, I have experienced the ups and downs of being a part of our phenomenal family. Like any family, the loss of a loved one is especially painful.

This week I got a call from Baton Rouge letting me know that a dear Vincentian friend had passed away. Rosario “Rosie” Martina, a long-time Vincentian, went to his rest in heaven at 101 years old this past Tuesday. Rosie was an incredible person who lived our Vincentian Virtues in everything he did. Yes, he was still active at 101 years old.

Decades ago, he was a founder of the Conference in his parish. The parish did not have room for a food pantry for the Conference, so he turned his garage into one with needed refrigeration and freezer space.

In 1982, Rosie and the Council of Baton Rouge embarked on a mission of opening the city’s first Dining Room/Kitchen to serve a hot meal every day of the year. It opened in a small shotgun house that a generous person donated, and initially the Council served anywhere from 20 to 50 meals a day.

Before long they were able to build a new SVDP Dining Room in 1984. And when I say build – they did not have a lot of money in those days – so Rosie and Vincentians grabbed some hammers and got to work! A contractor donated his services, and a new dawn of the Society began to emerge from the inspirational work of Vincentians committed to serve their neighbors in need.

Rosie was a World War II veteran who had a work ethic like no other. He fought in Europe for freedom, and he brought that fight to defeating hunger in Baton Rouge. He started a group of dining room volunteers to pick up food donations from grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants. Rosie was so beloved by his Brother and Sister Vincentians that they gave his volunteer group the nickname Rosie’s Army. Today, the SVDP Dining Room serves over 300,000 meals annually, and is a leader in stamping out hunger in Baton Rouge!

Years ago, I attended the funeral of Rosie’s wife Laura. He asked me to speak during the services about her commitment to the Society, and how she made a difference in our community.

After the funeral services, I went and hugged Rosie and again expressed my deepest condolences on the loss of his wife of 71 years. And he said, “I will see you tonight at our main shelter for men.”  I asked, “You are going to serve tonight?” and he smiled and said, “That’s what Laura would want me to do!”

I was not scheduled to be there, but I changed my plans that Saturday night and went to check on him while he served a meal with a group of his fellow Vincentians. Rosie saw Christ in each man he served that night, and they saw Christ’s love through Rosie and his fellow Vincentians. I told Rosie thank you for all he and Laura had done over the years for those most in need. Most importantly, I thanked him for being such an inspiration to me!

Whether it is a neighbor in need or a fellow Vincentian, who inspires you? How are you using that inspiration to do more for Christ?

To find and serve Christ, we simply must follow His direction in Matthew 25, to seek out the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the ill. We are all called to live our Vincentian Charism by spreading Christ’s love throughout the world!

Best wishes in Christ,  Michael J. Acaldo

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05-29-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-29-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

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 inspiration to start with a song? From Tim Williams, our amazing Senior Director of Formation and Leadership Development!

At the recent Northeast Regional Meeting, he gave a phenomenal workshop on the Vincentian virtues that I was blessed to attend. For those in the audience, it didn’t matter if you were a 35 year Vincentian like me or just starting out, it really hit home. Just ask our beloved Ray Sickinger, Vincentian leader for decades — we both agreed it was music to our ears!

Tim used the old Mac Davis song “It’s Hard to Be Humble” to describe how we should not live the Vincentian virtue of humility.  He did a magnificent job of covering each of our essential virtues : Simplicity · Humility · Gentleness · Selflessness · Zeal.

I was blessed to speak on the priceless Vincentian wisdom of bringing love to those most in need.

To do that, I talked about our precious Home Visits – those moments when we knock on Christ’s door. What a priceless encounter it is to enter Christ’s home — the homes of our neighbors in need. And I spoke about when Christ knocks on our doors — at thrift stores, dining rooms, community pharmacies- desperately seeking our help.

I love attending these regional meetings because I meet phenomenal Vincentians like Dana from the Archdiocese of Boston. He shared how much he treasures these visits. But Dana recently had a powerful and unexpected encounter in Phoenix during our National Assembly.

Dana stepped outside for a walk and came across a man lying in the hot sun, experiencing homelessness. He could have walked past. Instead, his Vincentian heart stirred. He started a conversation. It was not just a “hello.” It became, in Dana’s words, “a Christ-filled moment.” Dana invited the man to have lunch with him, and the man smiled and said yes. They shared a meal outside at a nearby restaurant.

Dana had come to Phoenix looking forward to workshops like those given by Tim Williams and others. Christ gave him one on the street that touched his heart in a way that words cannot describe.

So, what inspires you as a Vincentian? For me, it’s encounters like Dana’s. That is the power of inspiration and our Vincentian charism — it is what propels us to seek out the forgotten and bring them love. What I have learned in my regional visits, what I treasure in my heart, is that across the country, 90,000 Vincentians are using their God-given gifts to bring Christ’s love to those most in need.

Think of the countless priceless encounters you have had – not only with our neighbors in need, but also with your fellow Vincentians, that encounter of friendship and how that inspires you!

So, I ask again — what inspires you to innovate?

I will leave you with those beautiful Jackie DeShannon lyrics: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some, but for everyone.”

Thank you for turning Vincentian inspiration into action across our nation. As I board a plane for my next regional meeting, I can’t wait to see more of our Vincentian love in action.

Best wishes in Christ, Michael J. Acaldo

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05-08-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
05-08-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

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 another as we live our Vincentian Virtues in a world that desperately needs the love and action of our Society!

My article shares how we are committed to our Church’s call to grow in holiness as we seek and find the forgotten, suffering, and deprived so that we may bring them Christ’s love.

“And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:29-30

We have Vincentians from the east to west and north to south – all over the country – that have accepted Christ’s invitation to enter the narrow door of the kingdom of God. They have done so by living our Society’s five virtues of Simplicity, Humility, Gentleness, Selflessness, and Zeal.

That is why I absolutely love being able to visit with our Vincentian membership throughout the country.

The first regional meeting I recently attended was for the North Central Region. When I entered the meeting and was greeted by Regional Vice President, Bat Seymour and all the members of this Region, I felt the Holy Spirit in that room! I met extraordinary people committed to our Society in a remarkable way. What a fantastic start to my regional visits!

Two weeks ago, I was blessed to be with Paul “Korky” Korkemaz, Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President, and Vincentians from throughout the region. The first night of this meeting was so special. After gathering for a simple meal at the retreat center, the night ended with a musical meditation to begin our meeting with the Holy Spirit at its center.

It was so beautiful that at the end of the performance, all Vincentians were asked to look at one another and to tell everybody that they loved each other. In a world where love is not so easily expressed, and that seems to be filled with hate, the act of expressing our Vincentian love for one another was so effortlessly done. What a gift to be with so many Vincentians living their faith through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul!

Last week, I was blessed again being with Judy Dietlein, West Regional Vice President, and the members of the region. Again, I had the joy to visit and spend time with Vincentians embracing our mission and virtues as they expressed their commitment to their faith journeys.

In this meeting, I felt the Vincentian energy of friendship in a way that was overwhelming. They exuded our passion for one another in our Vincentian family.

Whether it is east, west, north, or south, our members are living the Gospel values in such a phenomenal way. Each Vincentian I had the honor of meeting expressed their faith through their Vincentian charism in a way that only they could. Vincentians give the gift that only they can give – the priceless gift of themselves!

I could fill pages and pages of encounters I had with my fellow brother and sister Vincentians at these regional meetings. I have four more meetings to attend, and I cannot wait to go!

In my last article, I briefly mentioned the importance of our Vincentian encounters. Often, we focus on our priceless encounters with those in need, and we do not spend enough time focusing on those equally priceless encounters with one another. These encounters are our Vincentian friendship in action that help us to grow together spiritually.

Take a minute today to think about all those Vincentians that have touched your life spiritually. Think about the wisdom they shared with you and how it enriches your spiritual journey. How can you share that wisdom with all your Vincentian friends at your Conference, Council, Region, or the National Council? Your wisdom will be a gift that will last a lifetime!

And today, let’s not only share this wisdom, but most importantly, Christ’s love, as we join our entire Vincentian Family in celebrating the new pontificate of Pope Leo XIV!

Best wishes in Christ,

Michael J. Acaldo

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International members tour St. Vincent de Paul programs in United States
International members tour St. Vincent de Paul programs in United States 600 400 SVDP USA

International members tour St. Vincent de Paul programs in United States

Published in the Catholic Review Apr 4, 2025 

Majid Zaghari, left, vice president for enterprises with St. Vincent De Paul Baltimore, gives a tour of the Good Harvest Community Kitchen facility to leadership from the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul April 3 off Moravia Road. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Majid Zaghari, vice president for enterprises with St. Vincent De Paul Baltimore, right, gives an April 3 tour of the Good Harvest Community Kitchen to leadership from the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul April 3 off Moravia Road. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

For the first time in its history, the International Council General Society of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (CGI), met in the United States the week of March 31. Hailing from Europe, Australia, Africa and South America, the group of 12 international chapter presidents were hosted by John Berry, the national president of the United States of America, who took them on a tour from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., to Baltimore April 3.

“I think It is very important to meet in different cities and see what everybody is doing,” Berry said, as the group enjoyed lunch at Beans & Bread in Fells Point, one of St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore’s oldest programs. “I have learned from every place we’ve gone.”

The group was greeted by John Schiavone, president and CEO of St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore, who provided a brief history on the beginnings of Beans & Bread in 1977 by a former Benedictine priest who served free meals in a row house.

“He created a home-like atmosphere,” Schiavone said. “He would greet each person and play the piano.”

By 1986, more than 200 people a day were being served and the program was taken under St. Vincent de Paul’s wings. New programs about health, mental health and recovery were added. The center now also helps clients find housing and keeps in touch with clients to ensure they don’t become homeless again. A career center, where clients can receive help with résumés and applying for jobs, is in the beginning stages.

“It’s a work in progress,” Schiavone said, as he led the tour through the facility, which moved to its current location on Bond Street in 1992 and has gone through several expansions and renovations.

“We are similar in terms of the issues involved,” said Mark Gaetani, the national president of the Australian chapter of St. Vincent de Paul Society. “What I particularly like about it is the follow up.”

“I think this is fantastic,” said Elaine Heyworth, third vice-president general deputy of SSVP and national president of the United Kingdom, who appreciated how all the resources were under one roof.

Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez, president general of the international confederation of the St. Vincent de Society board, of Spain, who spoke through his interpreter Isabel Garzo, executive assistant to the president, also was impressed with the programs at Beans & Bread and at Good Harvest, which the group visited prior to Beans & Bread.

“It is a very professional organization,” Gómez said. “It is working more as a company.”

Gómez, according to Garzo, thinks it would be even better “if the spiritual line was stronger,” suggesting that religious images such as crucifixes or of the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society might be added to walls of Baltimore outreach centers.

Gómez found the involvement of students – earlier Schiavone had spoken about a partnership with students and staff from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore – interesting, noting the importance of good training and formation for both employees and volunteers “to establish a good relationship” to serve others better.

After lunch, the group had a tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore and met with Archbishop William E. Lori. They visited Sarah’s Hope Family Shelter in Baltimore and then had dinner at the Rusty Scupper before returning to Bethesda.

Founded in Paris in 1833, the society is the largest Catholic organization in the world, with 800,000 members in more than 150 countries with 1.5 million volunteers. On the group’s final day, they celebrated the grand opening of the St. Vincent de Paul USA Washington, D.C., office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I am very proud of what we do,” Berry said.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States, was set to bless the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA’s new Washington office on April 4.

The office will be led by Ingrid Delgado, the society’s first national director of Public Policy and Advocacy and former associate director of Government Relations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The society hopes that establishing a permanent presence in Washington will strengthen its efforts to highlight key issues related to homelessness and advocate for those affected by poverty to policymakers.

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04-10-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
04-10-25 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

A Spiritual Lyft

Do you ever feel like you need a spiritual lift?

Last week, I started my journey of much needed spiritual lifts by spending a phenomenal day with over 300 Vincentians at St. Vincent de Paul Georgia’s Annual Spring to Life Assembly. It was so inspiring to see so many Vincentians coming together to grow closer together in spiritual friendship.

I got a priceless spiritual “lyft” by the method I used to get to the Georgia gathering. I was staying at a nearby Atlanta hotel and got a Lyft ride to the event. When I entered the rideshare vehicle, I said good morning and hello to my driver Linda. I complimented her about her warm welcome, and we started a wonderful conversation.

I asked her if she was from Georgia, and she told me  she and her family moved to Atlanta decades ago from up north, and they stayed because they loved it. As our conversation continued, she shared with me that her husband had passed away recently, and that she was driving to make ends meet.

She asked me where I was from, and I told her about Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She asked, “What brings you to our big city?”

I told her I was going to speak at a St. Vincent de Paul meeting, and the entire environment in the car changed with those simple words — a good conversation turned into a priceless encounter. It felt like the Holy Spirit entered the car with us.

Her face lit up with a smile, which served as an incredible testimony of how much our Society had touched her life. She shared that when her family moved to Atlanta many decades ago, times were tough, and the Society was there for her family when they could not pay all the rent.

As our encounter continued, she shared that when she lost her husband, the Society was there again to help her with some expenses that could have put her out on the street. She talked about St. Vincent de Paul and Catholics being phenomenal Christians. She added that St. Vincent de Paul is one group that has a long and distinguished history of service and an organization you can always count on.

Linda then shared with me her faith journey. She was an elder in her Protestant Church and loved to do prison ministry.

I asked her if she would like me to share her story, and what message she would want me to give to those members of the Society at the gathering.

She said, “Yes, please let them know that there is no other charity like St. Vincent de Paul, because of its members. Let them know how they touched my family, and kept hope alive for us during difficult times! Express to them that in our time of need, we knew they were Christians by their love.”

As Vincentians, we live for the blessing of having encounters with our neighbors in need. We all experience these priceless encounters during Home Visits, serving at special works, providing clothing and essentials through our thrift stores, and even Lyft rides.

My week was full of so many special spiritual lifts. After the Georgia assembly, I was blessed to meet and be with the Society’s International Board. It was a spiritual lift to hear how our Society is so active spreading our Vincentian Charism throughout the entire world.

Yes, members of the International Board spoke different languages, but their message was all the same – how we can serve Christ and transform the lives of those we are blessed to serve throughout the world. Many exciting international initiatives were discussed, and some will be led by our National President John Berry.

The week really got exciting with the opening of our National Office in Washington, D.C.. How blessed we were to have His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America; our National Spiritual Advisor, Archbishop Andrew E. Bellisario, C.M.; National President John Berry; National Director of Advocacy and Policy, Ingrid Delgado, along with several other leaders, to cut the ribbon to officially open our new D.C. Office!

In my recent visits around the country, so many Vincentians have expressed their excitement to share our millions of encounters with our national leaders through our D.C. office. Encounters that allowed us to respond and see the true state of the less fortunate in our country.

We have always been a voice for the poor. We bring a special voice that no one else can offer. A voice of the priceless impact we make, the needs we see, and how everything our country does should embrace Christ’s call to “love one another…”

The week concluded with me being blessed to be with our Society’s Richmond Virginia Council. Over 100 Vincentians gathered for a day full of growing together spiritually  — an uplifting way to end my journey!

As Lent begins to wind down during Holy Week, we all have an opportunity to reflect on all the blessings in our lives. Think about all the “love one another” encounters we have had with those in need and the encounters we have had with our fellow Vincentians — all spiritual lifts that are blessings beyond measure.

I want to tell each one of you who live our Vincentian way of life, thank you for lifting me up and for being a blessing in my life.

There are 52 weeks in the year, but only one is called Holy Week. I pray that you and your family feel Christ’s love this coming week and throughout the entire Easter Season.

Sincerely yours in Christ’s Love,
Michael J. Acaldo
National CEO

 

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Papal nuncio blesses new St. Vincent de Paul Society advocacy office on Capitol Hill
Papal nuncio blesses new St. Vincent de Paul Society advocacy office on Capitol Hill 1600 1065 SVDP USA

Papal nuncio blesses new St. Vincent de Paul Society advocacy office on Capitol Hill

Published in Catholic News Agency Apr 5, 2025 

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP) celebrated the opening of its brand-new advocacy office on Capitol Hill on Friday afternoon.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessed the new office, calling on the Holy Spirit to “ignite the talents and gifts of everyone present” for the purpose of serving the poor.

“Compassionate God, may your peace always stay in this office, making it a place where we can each grow in friendship with you, with one another, and with all guests who gather with us in this place. Give us grateful hearts so that we will always be mindful of generosity and goodness to us,” the nuncio said during the blessing.

“May our new office always be a source of healing and hope to those who need your mercy and kindness,” he continued. “Give us the grace to live the mission and values of the society so that we will be worthy to bear the name of our patron St. Vincent de Paul. This we ask in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.”

The organization announced earlier this year during the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering that it would open a second national office, which is located on Maryland Avenue, as a part of its efforts to “raise the profile of key issues related to homelessness” to politicians on Capitol Hill.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA served over 5 million people across the country last year, distributing more than $1.4 billion in aid, including $60 million in emergency financial assistance to prevent evictions and ensure people are able to remain housed.

Ingrid Delgado will head the D.C. office as SVdP USA’s new director of public policy and advocacy. Prior to taking on her new position this month, Delgado served for four years as associate director of government relations for the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“In January during the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering [SVdP USA President John Berry] announced the opening of this office, [and] I was so excited,” Delgado told CNA. “Little did I know that I would soon be here in this position.”

“For the last 12 years, I’ve been doing public policy for the Catholic bishops, which has been just really an honor and a privilege, to do authentically nonpartisan policy for our faith,” she continued. “But to now do it for this organization that is in direct service and relationship with our most vulnerable brothers and sisters is just, for me personally, a really exciting opportunity.”

Delgado said she believes now is “a really crucial time” to bring the stories of poor and vulnerable communities that SVdP USA serves before members of Congress, especially as conversations surrounding budget cuts to social services like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid continue.

“I am hoping to bring the stories of people that Vincentians serve and the experiences of the Vincentians of what that means for our communities if those critical services are cut,” Delgado said.

“My hope is that we will build a reputation with all of our elected officials as just a resource for our elected officials so that when they just need to know information about their constituencies, about people who are struggling and who are in need in their districts, that they will come to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as a trusted resource and partner,” she said.

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Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA opens advocacy office in Washington D.C.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA opens advocacy office in Washington D.C. 1600 1065 SVDP USA

Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA opens advocacy office in Washington D.C.

On Friday, April 4, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP) officially opened its new office in Washington D.C. as it seeks to ramp up efforts to advocate for those on the margins. As one of the largest lay Catholic organizations in the nation, SVdP hopes having a permanent presence in Washington D.C. will help its efforts to raise the profile of key issues related to poverty, while advocating to policymakers on behalf of those who experience its daily effects.

The office will be led by Ingrid Delgado, SVdP’s first National Director of Public Policy and Advocacy and formerly the Associate Director of Government Relations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Grand Opening Ceremonies began with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Wilton Gregory at the Vincentian Chapel at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Then the ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new office space at 110 Maryland Avenue, NE Suite 506, Washington DC 20002, which is located just steps away from the United States Supreme Court. National President John Berry provided some opening remarks, and introduced special guests to the event, before the ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the office.

In attendance was International SSVP President Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Andrew Bellissario, National CEO Michael Acaldo, new National Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Ingrid Delgado, the SVdP USA Board of Directors, and the SSVP-CGI International Board of Directors.

Last year, SVdP USA served more than 5 million people across the U.S. and provided more than $1.7 billion in aid, including $60 million in emergency financial assistance to prevent evictions and keep people housed. Often known for the thrift stores in cities and towns around the country, SVdP offers programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the communities it serves. Learn more about joining in our work at svdpusa.org.

 

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