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CMF (Catholic Mens Fellowship)
IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network)
We now have a permanent SVDP donation box in the St. Benedict parking lot located next to the rosary garden. It will be available to drop off used clothing, shoes, coats and linens in good condition only. Items can be placed directly in the box which will be emptied twice a week. If you have large items to donate, there will be information on the box to tell you how to schedule a pickup directly at your home.
The St. Benedict the Abbot Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul exists not only for parishioners but has a responsibility for everyone in our area regardless of creed. In many cases, a temporary setback such as job loss, illness, divorce, drug or alcohol abuse, credit card abuse, or just plain bad luck can send a family into a tailspin. Fallout from such situations often creates social, mental or economic problems for the family.
Vincentians help with requested needs such as rent, food, utilities and medical care. The Vincentians conduct a home visitation to determine not only individual need but to think about what are the underlying root causes of the problem. This identification serves to empower the family or person to begin to resolve the problem. Not only seeing the need, but taking the time to listen, sympathize and provide loving and compassionate interest in the person or family continues the work of our patron, St. Vincent, a French priest, who founded the Daughters of Charity pictured here, to serve the poor.
The Vincentians maintain strict confidentiality. All information garnered in the course of their ministry is held in trust. If there is an individual or family you know who needs assistance please encourage them to contact the parish office to set in motion the work of our society.
Our conference members work diligently to help relieve spiritual and financial needs of others by providing food through vouchers, offering to pay some bills, provide clothing vouchers for SVDP Thrift Stores or other local retailers, or referring clients to other more
permanent county/state resources. We are not trained social workers but ordinary parishioners with means to provide temporary material assistance and with empathy for our needy brothers or sisters. A trademark and most basic activity of Vincentians is to visit the needy clients in their homes.Our mission statement reads. “Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads men and women to join together to grow spiritually by offering person to person service to those who are needy or suffering. Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice; and collaborate with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those being served.”
The Core Group thanks you for your financial support and prayers. We invite you to join us on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Room 206. May God Bless You.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Serving our neighbors in need since 1852
- More than 1000 members strong, each bringing Christ’s love to those who are in need.
- There are 108 Conferences throughout parishes in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington and Greene Counties.
- This past year, the Society provided more than $2.5 million worth of assistance to families and individuals in need.
- Members of the Society helped more than 80,000 people.
- More than 100 tons of food was given to families and individuals in need through food pantries in Butler and the SVdP Center in Manchester.
- 36 men leaving prison entered Michael’s Place in order to start a new life free of drugs and alcohol.
- Operates 5 resale stores.
Why do you give? Giving your time and money is a very personal act. Key motivations for a person’s charitable giving may include:
- Honoring friends and loved ones
- A desire to give something back to the community
- Fulfilling a sense of responsibility
- Benefiting from tax advantages
- Ensuring the longevity of your favorite charity
Mission Statement
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron St. Vincent de Paul.
As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are know as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.
Organized locally Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Benedict the Abbot began on May 12, 2004 with informational and planning meetings. A special offering was collected in July at St. Benedict's and an anonymous donor matched the collection. We were on our way to fulfill our Mission Statement in helping individuals and families with their special needs, in complete confidentiality.
Funds are distributed according to need. The needs are discuss and voted on by the conference members present at the weekly meeting. Those in need contact the parish office, and then they are referred to us. Two members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society make the home visits to meet with the family or individual. This personal interaction helps us to learn and understand their needs. The same two members will continue with this family or individual for the duration of time that it takes to have them stand on their own, if possible.
On September 17, 2004, Ivan flooded the lower Lawrence area of eighteen homes. The call went out for help and donations. With the donation of a building in Lawrence, we began collecting food, household goods, furniture and cash to help the flood families. The cash collected was used to purchase furnaces, hot water tanks, building supplies, garage doors, kitchen cabinets, appliances, utility hookups and rent. When the needs of our Lawrence families were met, we were able to help other flood victims in Cuddy, Bridgeville and Houston. We were also able to donate two truckloads for distribution at other St. Vincent de Paul Stores. Another truckload was donated to the local Washington City Mission and one to the Greater Chartiers Valley Long Term Recovery Team. We were also able to supply needed items to our local families along with families from Habitat for Humanity and Michael's Place. Our distribution center in Lawrence is now closed. The families are on their way to a normal life style. This was a great rewarding and humbling experience and many new friendships were formed over the nearly six month period.
Many thanks go out to the St. Benedict the Abbot family for their support in all of our efforts, in helping and loving thy neighbor.
Many thank you notes have been received from families whom we have helped. As space permits, we will put them in the bulletin.