The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
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1833
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris, France, when a small group
of Catholic students at the University of Paris led by Frederic Ozanam was challenged about what the Church had ever done
for the poor. When they responded vigorously to the challenge, they were questioned about what they themselves were doing.
After weeks of discussion and reflection, the students decided to organize and visit people in need in their homes. They recognized
the responsibility of lay Catholic people to minister to others through personal contact. A short time later, they dedicated
the Society to the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul.
The founders’ goals were:
- To
witness to the teachings of the Gospel
- To
develop their own spirituality
- To
relieve the suffering of the people in need.
1845
The first U.S. Conference was founded in St. Louis, Missouri. Father (later Bishop)
John Timon “discovered” the Society of St. Vincent de Paul during a visit to Ireland and brought back a copy of
the Rule. The Conference officially became a part of the International Society within three months.
1884 The first permanent Conference within the Archdiocese of Detroit began at Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit
Parish. From there it spread rapidly to other parishes and before the end of the 19th century, the Particular (diocesan-wide)
Council of Detroit was formally recognized by the International Society.
The Patron:
St. Vincent de Paul (1580-1660) was selected as patron because he not only ministered
personally to people in need but also organized religious and lay women and men in ministries of service. All the groups he
organized have survived to the present day except for the laymen’s organization, which did not survive the French Revolution. Its demise provided the opportunity for the fledgling group organized by Frederic
Ozanam and fellow students in 1833.
The Philosophy: In the words of the Society’s Mission Statement, The Society “leads women and men to
join together to grow spiritually by offering person – to –person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition
of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the patron, and St. Vincent de Paul.” Vincentians strive to be open and flexible
to the needs they encounter: “No work of charity is foreign to the Society.” From its earliest days the Society
has made no distinctions based on religious affiliation; “need, not creed” determines who is helped.
The poor alone demand your time; treat them with gentleness, with tenderness, with love. They are the nobility of heaven.
St. Vincent de Paul
April 2008 St. Anastasia forms a Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Officers:
President:
Mike Curran
Vice Presidents:
Matt Derby
John Robertson
Bill Rundell
Secretary:
Sue Gregorius
Treasurers:
Joan Griffen
Patricia Ullmann
Spiritual
Director: Florence Parent
Are you looking
for ways to experience God? Are you naturally caring, compassionate and giving
person? Were you blessed with parents and other role models in life whom you learned that the joy of living is giving?
If the answer
is yes to any of the above questions you are invited to serve Christ’s poor here in our own parish. Is it time for you
to really live your religious convictions and give something back for all you have received? Join the St. Anastasia Conference
of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
How do you join?
- Contact Becky McKelvey in the Parish Office at 248.689.8380 ext 104 / rmckelvey@stanastsia.org and leave your name and contact information.
- Attend the general meeting on April 16 at 7pm in the Parish Offices.
- Register to be trained for home visits (Ozanam Orientation) on April 26 at 9am in the William Davidson
Activity Center. You must pre-register – click below
to download a registration form.
