Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Saint Ann

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

What is the mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society?

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international Catholic lay association of charity that aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ to those in need with love, respect, justice, hope and joy. Members of SVdP gather together to volunteer their talents, knowledge, and experience in order to lessen the injustices of our world and create a more compassionate society, person to person, based on friendship and service, all while growing spiritually in their own lives.  

As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known 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 goodwill in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ in each individual person.  We must as Vincentians and Catholics practice what we preach and put Christ’s teachings to action.

History of SVdP

Frederic Ozanam and six friends from the Sorbonne founded the Society in Paris in 1833. Under his vision, the Society provides person-to-person service to help those who are suffering and to alleviate poverty by addressing its root causes. Today, the Society in the United States has 120,000 members throughout 4,700 localities.

Members call themselves “Vincentians” after the recognized patron of charity, St. Vincent de Paul, and membership is open to all Christians wishing to serve the suffering and needy. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began its service to the poor in the United States on November 20, 1845 in St. Louis, Missouri, and has since grown all over the world.

We have been blessed with the support and guidance of our pastor, Father Fye, to start our own Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Conference in our parish family. Led by parishioners at St. Ann’s, we hope to inspire our church members to hear His call to practice charity.

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ’Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?’ And the king will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’” Matthew 24:34

What can you do to answer the call to help the poor?

Our St. Ann SVdP program consists of (but not limited to):

• Offering emergency assistance with utilities, rent, daily necessities (groceries, infant items, auto gas), surprise home repairs, clothing
• Providing support by means of home visits with neighbors
• Budgeting guidance
• Building lasting relationships with fellow Vincentians and neighbors in need
• Connecting neighbors in need with various resources in the Nashville-area
• Assisting the elderly in our community in need
• Soliciting benefactors to support SVdP

 
The Vincentian members meet once a month, on the second Monday, at 6:00 on the St. Ann Campus to pray together, discuss ministry operations, discern how best to meet the needs of those in need of the services provided by SVdP, and to decide how the funds contributed by the parishioners can be most wisely spent in support of the Society’s mission.