Western District President, Suzanne Warren, accepts a donation from representatives of Atmos Energy. | COURTESY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
St. Vincent de Paul programs create ‘supportive environment’ through love, Gospel values
BY BELINDA ABELL AND RICHARD REMP-MORRIS, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
When someone mentions February, immediately you think of hearts and flowers… symbols of romantic love. Yet there are other kinds of love expressed during the month of February: the love of a parent for a child, a child for their parents, or love for good friends. Why stop there? The first two of God’s commandments tell us, firstly “Love your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul,” and secondly “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.” The Catholic community of western Kentucky has an organization that does just that – the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The governing body is The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, LLC, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation established in 1961.
Western Kentucky’s St. Vincent de Paul programs are designed to support the underprivileged through trying times with gifts of shelter, food and clothing. Our purpose is to create a supportive environment where they can see their way to break through the cycle of poverty. When contacted to help, SVdP volunteers respond to requests for assistance such as food, clothing, rent, utilities and furniture. It is our hope through education, caring and prayerful support they may seek a life guided by faith.
Society founder, Frédéric Ozanam, was only 19 years old at the time he founded the group in 1833, but his vision was all-encompassing “to embrace the world in a network of charity.” What better charity than to show love and caring to those in need in your community? Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization and the oldest Catholic nonprofit, leads both men and women to join together to grow spiritually by giving of themselves with person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering.
Members, known as Vincentians, are every age, skin color, wealthy and poor, but all are blessed with an awareness that our gifts are to be shared with others in need so as to grow in holiness together. The Society collaborates with other individuals and organization in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ and seek to be a living reflection of the family of God.
Knights of Columbus District President, Ed Sullivan presents Diocesan Council President, Nancy Harris with a donation for St. Vincent de Paul. | COURTESY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
If the Society didn’t continually seek to promote spiritual good to its members through the exercise of charity, and to those they assist in the name of Jesus Christ, it would lose its purpose. What greater love for another than to make sure they are provided for physically and spiritually. A long time ago I came across this thought: “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” Give your love today by becoming a Vincentian, donating unused items to our thrift stores or monthly donations to your parish St. Vincent de Paul or its Diocesan Council.
If you are interested in becoming a Vincentian or starting a St. Vincent de Paul Conference in your parish, visit svdpwesternky.org or contact [email protected].
Vincentian Belinda Abell belongs to Sts. Joseph and Paul Parish in Owensboro, and Vincentian Richard Remp-Morris belongs to St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro.
Originally printed in the February 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
