Vincentians

10-31-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

10-31-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

BOO! I am your scariest trick-or-treater! Yes, I’ve been told that I have a face for radio.

It’s that time of year, and today’s the day that we’re going to see the little gremlins coming to our door, yelling “trick or treat.” I can’t wait for it to get started. Much like our upcoming elections, it’s exciting and scary at the same time.

We are in the midst of a chaotic, tumultuous time in our nation. We need the Society of St. Vincent de Paul more than ever. No matter what the outcome of the upcoming elections, we will be called upon to be the face of Christ amidst the exuberance of winning, the depression of defeat, celebrations, anxieties, and anger. As Vincentians, we need to be the hopeful voice and the peaceful face.

Like you, I am weary of all the focus and hype surrounding the election. The never-ending television commercials, the mudslinging in social media, and the talking heads who continue to hype the contests. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a political junkie, but even I have reached my limit. I am ready to cast my vote and wish that Election Day would be over.

Depressed yet? Fear not! On November 6, the Vincentian mission will be needed more than ever. Regardless of the election outcome, our calling is to See the Face of Christ and Be the Face of Christ: to help our friends, neighbors and family realize a better, brighter future with God’s help. We can be that model of Faith, Hope, and Charity to feed their souls. The good news is that we are well trained, Home Visit veterans, and we are ready for this challenge. If anybody can do it, we can!

I recently attended the National Board of Directors’ retreat. The experience was inspirational, filled my heart with joy, and prepared me to go out to spread the Word as part of the St. Vincent de Paul mission. Like my fellow Vincentians, I’ve had the opportunity to visit those with corporal needs and have had the blessing to be able to provide for them. The time will soon be here when we will all have many relationship opportunities to act: calming the emotional highs and lows, toning down the rhetoric while lifting up those around us.

Remember to put on your spiritual armor. Don’t forget that we need to be centered on our own inner peace first before we can help others. Consider this Bible verse as a prayerful way to prepare:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Lastly, I strongly encourage you to vote, but just as important, to stock up on candy treats for all those happy little monsters, princesses, and superheroes coming to our doors. Happy Halloween!

Thank you for all you do in His Name — may God bless you,
Michael

Michael Pazzaglini
National Vice President, South Central Region

SVDP Council Spotlight: Baltimore

SVDP Council Spotlight: Baltimore 1078 720 SVDP USA

As a single mother to a grown, autistic son, Sarah faced a heartbreaking reality.

Sarah had been commuting all the way across town for work. But then, she got divorced and that commute was no longer feasible. Her son couldn’t be left alone that long, so she had to choose between her job and caring for her son.

Unemployed and unable to pay the bills, Sarah and her son were evicted. Suddenly homeless and without support for her son, Sarah was living her worst nightmare.

When a friend told Sarah about St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore, everything changed. SVdP helped them find a new place to live and helped Sarah get a job close to home.

Sarah and her son are just a few of the thousands of people served by SVdP Baltimore each year.

More than 2,500 people are experiencing homelessness in the Baltimore region.

Families and individuals lose their homes for a variety of reasons, from unemployment to illness or soaring utility bills. That is why the Baltimore Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers a wide range of homelessness prevention programs and shelter services. Last year, SVdP Baltimore:

• Operated over 10 programs focused on housing and homeless prevention
• Provided 71,175 emergency shelter nights
• Helped hundreds of families with rapid rehousing, and supportive housing programs

St. Vincent de Paul has a national reach that extends from local Conferences to regional Councils, supported by SVdP USA’s overarching programming. Thanks to the generosity of donors who support our outreach at every level, we provide more than just basic shelter to families in need. Most importantly, through our work, these families are shown the abundant love of Christ.

SVDP USA PROVIDES SUPPORT TO REGIONAL SVDP COUNCILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, ENSURING LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE EQUIPPED TO CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED. THROUGH CREATIVE PROGRAMMING AND CARING OUTREACH, COUNCILS LIKE SVDP BALTIMORE ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST HOMELESSNESS ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.

I Am a Vincentian (Spanish version) -Video-

I Am a Vincentian (Spanish version) -Video- 1080 1080 SVDP USA

¡Gracias vicentinos!

During this Hispanic Heritage Month, we give a special shout to our Hispanic and Latino American Vincentians, celebrating the special contributions and talents that they bring to SVdP Conferences across the country. Our Spanish-speaking and bilingual Vincentians are indispensable in serving our neighbors in need. ¡GRACIAS for all that you do!

 

Translation: Our Vincentians are saying “I Am _(name)_, and I Am a Vincentian.”

 

 

Erika Aldana, SVdP Long Island NY

Javier Lerch, PhD, National Homelessness Committee

Lalo Rodela, Formation Renewal and Delivery Committee

Claudia Ramirez, CEO of SVdP Contra Costa CA

Julie Bennett, CEO of SVdP Madison WI

Luis Gonzalez, CEO of SVdP North Texas / Dallas

Encountering Our Neighbor -Video-

Encountering Our Neighbor -Video- 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Encountering Our Neighbor

Hear what three Vincentians – John, Dr. Ken, and Marge – have to say about their heartfelt experience serving a neighbor, and how that has shaped their time with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

John Berry, National President:  

We had opened up a brand new food pantry in Atlanta where I’m from and we had a woman that was coming through and it was a client choice food pantry, so we were walking with her and helping her choose. And we had a refrigerator cabinet that we had cakes and those kind of things in because the local supermarket had donated them to us and we always made those available to people. And this woman came up to the refrigerator cabinet and she started crying. And we were like “Oh You know what happened. What did we do?” And she started sobbing and she said “Tomorrow is my daughter’s birthday and I never thought I would be able to afford to have a cake for her birthday.” So we got her the cake and then we went to the warehouse and we got a bicycle for her to give her daughter for her birthday and it was just something that, you know, when she left, we all looked at each other and said this is what it’s all about. This is what it’s all about.

Dr. Ken Snider:

Well, one little girl, she came up when she was 10 years old and she had a cleft lip and a cleft palate. And I wish I could say if I have the before and after pictures. So when I examined her, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings by bringing notice to the cleft. So when I I finished examining her, I said “Honey, have you ever heard of braces?” You know, she shook her head. And I said “Well, we can do that. I said we can’t, you know, take everyone. But if you’re interested, I might be able to get you in.” Well I’m the dental director I can get them in, but if the kids aren’t interested, even if the parents want it, they’re not going to maintain it and everything. You know, there’s limited resources. And so she started to cry. And I thought I hurt her feelings. And the staff person said no, she said those are tears of joy. She thought this would never be possible for her. Then her mother came in, and her mother started to cry. We were all crying.

Marge McGinley:

So I met this beautiful person who was in need and when we got to her home we could tell she was conserving every penny, because each room had a curtain to conserve the air conditioning in that room. And we visited with her and she said “You know everybody that I’ve dealt with from Saint Vincent de Paul has been so kind. Like the people that answer your phones, everybody is so kind.” And I said, “Well, of course we are. Because for us, you are the face of Christ. We’re meeting Jesus when we meet you.”  And she started to cry. And she said “No one has ever talked to me so kindly.” As we were leaving, she said “I just have one more question.” And I said OK, and she said, “Can I join you? Can I can I help other people? I know I need help but can I help somebody else because I want to be able to see Jesus.”

Dr. Ken Snider:

Yeah, I mean it’s priceless. When you put your head on the pillow at night and you think, wow, you know. How did I? How did God grant me the blessing to be part of this, you know. And it truly is a blessing.

John Berry, National President:  

I mean the encounters run the gauntlet from the Home Visits that we do, the thrift stores that we operate, the food pantries that we operate. Each one of those is an opportunity for us to touch humanity and for humanity to touch us, because our growth through that service is really the ultimate most important thing that we do is grow spiritually.

Wayne Bugg shares his story as a Vincentian -Video-

Wayne Bugg shares his story as a Vincentian -Video- 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Wayne Bugg shares his story as a Vincentian

Hear what Wayne Bugg has to say about his experience with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from a young age, and how his encounters with Vincentians over the years guided his path in life to become the Vincentian that he is today and serve as the Associate Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Twin Cities.

Wayne Bug, Associate Executive Director for St. Vincent de Paul Twin Cities: 

My name is Wayne Bugg, and I’m the associate executive director for St. Vincent de Paul in the Twin Cities. Around the age of 15, my next-door neighbor worked for St. Vincent de Paul. He invited me to come and hang out with him and move some furniture. At the time, I was a high school dropout and I needed to make some legal money. I needed to make some changes in life. So this was like a divine intervention that this young man reached out to me. So I originally started off as a neighbor in need.

As I came on working for the thrift store, it was culture shock. So I came here to make money and have come to find out that people that are volunteers are working for free. I couldn’t understand the concept and so I found out over a period of time that it was their love for God and their love for people that had called them to do this and this level of love. After many, many conversations, they began to pour into me. I think I had issues with my image as an image bearer of God. I really didn’t see that, but they saw that in me. And in one particular person, Darrell Bach, the Council president, began to talk to me and told me how unique and special I was and how I needed to go back to school because at that point I was a high school dropout, and so that right there I think endeared me to the Society.  They kind of do sometimes what we do with items at the thrift store. We give them a second chance. People donate them to us because they feel that they have no value and I felt like I didn’t have any value. But they were able to take me in, kind of shine me up a little bit and then represent me.

So I work during the day and went to school at night and eventually I got my GED and so I show back up with this piece of paper. I’m thrilled. Not many people that I grew up around, you know, have that or achieved that. I was ready to retire education wise, but Darrell said no it’s not enough. He was thrilled, but he said I had a greater capacity than me and so he talked me into going to college, and so I signed up for the Community College down the street.

Darrell was near retirement age and so they had just hired executive director Ed Curran and he came along. I felt as though there was like, there’s this agreement between the two that he will continue to mentor me, and so here I am hanging out with Ed and watching Ed from you know, from afar, watching him be a husband and a father and some of those things that I didn’t know that they were possible. I saw a lot of broken relationships and things of that nature, so I was encouraged by his lifestyle.

So I finished school, I got my associates degree. And I came back to Saint Vincent and showed Ed, and he says, great, let’s finish. You can do more!  And so he talked me into going to get my bachelors degree and so I signed up for classes and eventually I got my bachelors degree.

And even more so to me I got married, and I never thought as a kid that that would be something I wanted to do. But being able to see Daryl and see Ed and some of these other Vincentians, these couples, that came and volunteered changed my perception about marriage and that you can be happily married. So this is one of the things that kind of impacted me. And along that path, my wife eventually she got pregnant and we had twins. One of the Vincentians, Margaret Kuznia, she said Wayne, while your wife is in these early stages I will come to your house three to four times a week and just cook, whatever else that you need me to do. This is one of those things that communicated the Vincentian virtues that demonstrated the gospel, how Jesus and his level of intimacy that he had given to people. So these are some of the things that kept me there at the Society even after getting my diploma.

Now the roles have kind of changed where I was the mentee and I was receiving all this mentorship and to a degree I still do, but now I have an opportunity to engage with our employees. They have similar stories and situations where they feel that they’ve been abandoned, that they’ve been broken and so I am able to pour into them these same truths about God and his ability to redeem and recover. And then also our neighbors that come in and some of our neighbors are in distress and they come in and they are in the midst of a situation and they don’t have anywhere to turn. But we get to be the beacon of light, the lighthouse in the community. It’s a thrill and a privilege for me to be able to serve in that capacity. Everything has been poured into me. To establish relationships and to love people in a way that so many people yearn for is one of the reasons why I continue to stay with Saint Vincent de Paul and continue to be marveled by all the individuals in this wonderful organization.

07-11-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

07-11-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

At a recent leadership development retreat for our national Youth, Young Adult and Emerging Leaders group, I provided a session on leadership lessons I have learned (some painfully!) over 11 years as the Society’s National CEO and more than 40 years leading mostly nonprofits.

It became apparent in our conversation that these lessons don’t benefit just young leaders, but to a great extent all leaders. Some take on Society leadership because they were good followers and workers, or because they were the first to raise their hand and volunteer. Neither of these guarantee that a person will, or won’t, lead others well. I wonder sometimes if some of our new leaders have ever led anywhere before now! So, whether you are reading this column at 16 or 60 years old, perhaps these lessons can benefit you on your own leadership learning journey. Here they are, briefly:

  1. Don’t confuse Leadership with Money or Fame. Leadership may be thankless.
  2. Anyone can be a Leader — start now! You can begin from anywhere — no excuses.
  3. Hire/recruit people smarter than you, then let them flourish. Always scout for talent.
  4. Use your entire “leadership toolbox”; apply lessons learned from anywhere and anytime.
  5. Use mentors, and then become one. No one is an island! Pay it back.
  6. Don’t let Perfect be the enemy of Good. Keep moving ahead, and adjust as you go.
  7. Always see and play the long game. Think months, even years ahead.
  8. Your job as a leader is not to Do, but to Get Things Done. (And to Keep the Group Together.)
  9. Work to be a good Follower. It helps you understand how to be a better Leader.
  10. Listen, then speak. Listen more than you speak.

I’m sure that a leadership author could write a separate book on each of the above lessons, and in some cases they probably have. I assume that Vincentians are too busy serving people to read 10 books! Therefore, please make do with just the list. You might choose just five that you need to work on to sharpen your skills. Master those, and recruit for the other five!

Here are some characteristics of Good Leaders. They:

  1. Keep learning, formally and informally. Read constantly — trends, different perspectives, etc. that may inform their work.
  2. Find ways to elevate others and help them to grow.
  3. Know a little about a lot, instead of a lot about a little.
  4. Constantly connect the dots. Everything can relate to, and possibly support, everything else if you look hard enough.

If you are the type that feels that you must read a book to learn more legitimately about leadership, here are my favorite books on the topic, all readily available and very readable:

In my upcoming retirement, maybe I’ll expound on all this with my own book. If I do, I know it will have plenty of great leadership examples from our SVDP Council and Conferences and the wonderful volunteers who step up to lead them in service to God and people in need. That should be a book worth reading!

Yours in Christ,
Dave Barringer
National CEO

The Home Visit: An Encounter with our Neighbor -Video-

The Home Visit: An Encounter with our Neighbor -Video- 1080 1080 SVDP USA

The Home Visit: An Encounter with our Neighbor

Hear what three Vincentians – Kat, Ray, and Tim – have to say about their experiences during a Home Visit with a neighbor, and how that has shaped their time with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Kat Brisette, SVDP Rhode Island:

Home visits are one of my favorite parts of the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul. Just being able to, you know, put yourself in an uncomfortable position, just like our neighbors are in an uncomfortable position and being able to just listen to them and talk with them. My favorite home visits are when there’s kids. Maybe it’s just because I like to fool around, and so it’s fun to interact with them. So a lot of times we’ll bring like a coloring book or things for them to play with while we’re meeting. So a lot of my favorite interactions have been, you know, when you bring the coloring book in and two siblings on the floor and they’re coloring it in while you’re talking with mom. And before they go, they put a big heart on it and give it to you. And so I have plenty of coloring pages that I have framed and I keep with me because it just reminds us of what we do and why we do it.

 

Raymond Sickingar, SVDP Rhode Island:

Years ago, my wife and I went on a Home Visit together. There’s a trailer park where we live – we deal with rural poverty where we live and sometimes that can be even more insidious than urban poverty because it’s less visible and there are less resources – but this one woman was in a trailer park, so we went and visited her and she was out of gas or propane. She also needed to rent the land that the trailer was on. So there were a few needs that she had so we were going over to talk to her. And it was a rainy night, I remember, it was raining pretty bad and we got to the door and she invited us in and we sat down. And I don’t know what made us do it that night, I’m not sure we had done it a great deal before, but we just said “What’s going on? What’s your story?” 45 minutes to an hour later, the woman stopped and took a breath.  And she said. “Oh, I feel so light,” she says. “I have not been able to tell that story to anybody.” And we helped her. We actually got her into a sustainable position, but really what she needed most was somebody to listen. And what my wife and I learned that night, was to first stop and take the time to listen. The stories are powerful, and people need to feel like they’re human.

 

Timothy Williams, SVDP USA:

One is one of the first visits my wife and I went on and it was a man who rode his bike to work every day and back 7 miles. Because he didn’t have a car but he had ten kids. There’s always more mouths than money, even with food stamps, and so he called us for help with food, it’s the end of the month. And so we come with the groceries and all these kids come tumbling out the house to help with carrying them. This one little girl grabs a gallon of milk. She turns around towards that house, and she danced back to the house – this gallon of milk. Gandhi once said there are some people so poor they can only see God in a piece of bread. But I was looking at her and the only thing I could think was “the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 

Kat Brisette, SVDP Rhode Island:

The Society is such an awesome way that we’re able to live out our faith and be that example of what it truly means to be a Catholic and a Christian in today’s world.

 

Timothy Williams, SVDP USA:

When we go to visit the neighbors in need in their homes, we see Christ, and you really receive this Grace from God.

 

Raymond Sickingar, SVDP Rhode Island:

I found it very easy to see the face of Christ and those we serve over the years that I’ve served. But we also have to reflect that loving face back to Christ. That’s the part of that Vincentian charism, that an incredible gift of the Holy Spirit, that speaks to me most.

Why Am I a Vincentian? -Video-

Why Am I a Vincentian? -Video- 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Why Am I a Vincentian?

Hear what three Vincentians – Mike, Pamela, and Marge – have to say about why they joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Marge McGinlly, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Mt. Holly, New Jersey:

It’s fun. It’s a lot of fun, yes.

 

Mike Flynn, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Seattle:

What happened to me was I went to a ministry fair in our parish. I thought it was going to be doing Liturgy and this guy captured me and said you need to become a Vincentian. I said, what is that? He said, well, we help people, and I thought I’d like to help people. And so I went to a meeting and discovered how much more it meant to be a Vincentian than just helping people.

 

Pamela Matambanadzo, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago:

Why do you keep coming back? What brought you here? And I think for me… we talk about service, we talk about spirituality and we talk about friendship. And it’s just the enrichment of all of those on the people you meet. You know the relationships you build. Just being able to serve, you know whether you’re at a soup kitchen or whether you’re at a home visit.

 

Marge McGinlly, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Mt. Holly, New Jersey:

I’m a Vincentian because when I found the Vincentian family it spoke to my heart. It was a place where I fit. I have this love of people, especially the poor and the sick. And when I found the Vincentian charism it fit who God made me. So it was like finding a second family for me.

 

07-03-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

07-03-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

As we gather to celebrate the 4th of July, our nation’s Independence Day, we are reminded of the founding principles that have shaped our country: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These ideals, deeply embedded in the fabric of our society, are not just lofty aspirations, but calls to action that resonate profoundly with the work and mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. As volunteers, our tireless efforts to serve those in need reflect these principles in their most tangible and compassionate forms. Today, let us explore how our efforts embody these values and why they are essential as we work to uplift and support our community.

Life

The right to life is fundamental, and it encompasses more than mere existence. It speaks to the dignity and sanctity of every human being. In the words of St. Vincent de Paul, “Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.” Our commitment to providing food, shelter, medical care, and spiritual and emotional support ensures that those we serve can live with dignity and hope. Each meal served, each bed provided, and each listening ear offered is a testament to the value of every life.

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, once said, “The poor are your masters. You are the servant.” This profound statement reminds us that our work is not merely charity but a recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of those we assist. By seeing Christ in those we serve, we affirm their right to a life of dignity and respect.

Liberty

Liberty, the second pillar of our national ethos, is not just about political freedom but the liberation from all forms of oppression and poverty. True freedom involves the ability to make choices, to have opportunities, and to live without fear or want. The services provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — ranging from job training and education to financial assistance — are crucial in empowering individuals to break free from the chains of poverty and dependency.

St. Vincent de Paul said, “Go to the poor: you will find God.” This call urges us to see our work not just as aid, but as a partnership in creating freedom for those we serve. By providing resources and support, we help those in need to reclaim their independence and autonomy. It is through this empowerment that we honor the spirit of liberty, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to forge their own path and achieve their full potential.

The Pursuit of Happiness

The pursuit of happiness, a cornerstone of the American dream, is a universal aspiration. It is the desire for a life filled with joy, purpose, and fulfillment. For many of the individuals and families we serve, happiness can seem elusive amidst the struggles of daily life. However, our compassionate service creates a ripple effect that can transform lives and communities.

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam believed deeply in the power of compassion to bring about social change. He once stated, “The knowledge of social well-being and reform is learned, not from books, nor from the public platform, but in climbing the stairs to the poor man’s garret, sitting by his bedside, feeling the same cold that pierces him, sharing the secret of his lonely heart and troubled mind.” This intimate encounter with those we serve fosters a sense of community and belonging, essential ingredients in the pursuit of happiness.

By addressing both immediate needs and systemic issues, we help create an environment where individuals can thrive. Whether it is through our encounters with neighbors in need, advocating for social justice, or simply offering a smile and a kind word, our efforts contribute to a society where happiness is within reach for all.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us remember that the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not just historical ideals but living commitments. Our dedication to the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a powerful expression of these values. In our hands, in your hands, the promise of our nation comes alive, bringing hope, freedom, and joy to those who need it most.

St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam have given us a rich legacy of service and compassion. Their words and deeds continue to inspire us as we work towards a more just and loving world. This 4th of July, as fireworks light up the sky, let us also light up the lives of those we serve, carrying forward the timeless principles that make our nation great.

May God continue to Bless you for your unwavering commitment and for embodying the true spirit of Independence Day. Through your work, you ensure that the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not just celebrated but lived every day.

Happy 4th of July!

Peace and God’s blessings,
John

06-27-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders

06-27-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Embracing Growth

When I was in my late 20’s, and going through a tough time, I remember my Mom telling me “you need to go see a Priest!”

Growing up as the 5th of 7 kids in an Irish Catholic home in Pittsburgh, there is one important thing learned at an early age: Listen to Mom. Without questioning it, I did listen, and that ultimately lead me to a blessing I could have never imagined — life as a Vincentian.

Over the past 25 years, God has provided so much in my life. A loving, beautiful, intelligent wife, two awesome daughters, a successful entrepreneurial career in technology, and a passion for serving the poor. I am blessed in so many ways, and the Society is a huge part of that because it has enabled me to connect with God and orient my life to His will (most of the time!). I often wonder where I would be today had I ignored Mom and not found the Society.

I bring my story forward not because it is unique. I dare say that everyone of us has a similar story of how we found St. Vincent de Paul. Or rather, as Jesus tells us, we did not find or choose the Society: He chose it for each one of us. And, He chooses it for so many more. My SVdP story, and probably yours, has common attributes of being open, wanting to learn more and have a deeper connection with God and our Catholic faith, a great Priest, an invitation, and the nicest group of men and women I had ever come across.

Today, we stand at a crossroads. We see our Catholic Church shrinking in so many parts of the world, including our great country. We also see decreasing numbers in our Vincentian membership. Perhaps you and I can be a spark to help turn these trends around. Going back to our own unique stories, so many of our family members, friends, and connections are searching for a stronger meaning in life. While many are falling away from the Church, they are looking for a deeper connection to God. And we know the beauty of the Society is that it brings us closer through our encounters with Jesus in every neighbor we serve, and every gathering we participate in.

There is a phrase in business that if you are not growing, you are dying. I also love the quote from the movie Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” We owe it to St. Vincent de Paul, Frédéric Ozanam, and the thousands of Vincentians who have followed to grow our Society. Each of us has been blessed, and we, in turn, need to pay it forward. If it is not already, let’s make growth a core part of every Conference. Let’s be open to and invite our Catholic brothers and sisters to join us. Let’s form strong friendships and partnerships with our Priests and Deacons, and ask for their help by directing parishioners our way. Let’s be bold in our vision for the future and why Jesus has placed us in the Society. Let’s be like my Mom and tell those we love to “Go see a Priest”— and let’s experience growth!

Yours in Christ,
Sean Myers
National Vice President of Membership and Leadership Development

 

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