St. Vincent de Paul Society

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s motto is “No work of charity is foreign to the society”. It is an international Catholic organization of laypersons, founded in Paris in 1883 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul. The purpose of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to fulfill the two great commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor. This is done by parish-based members who listen, comfort, and, when possible, provide the material assistance required to ease the suffering of those in need. And by coming closer to our neighbors, Vincentians often find they come closer to God. Most of the day-to-day and person-to-person work of the Society is carried out by local groups called Conferences. The St. Francis de Sales Conference began its service efforts in January 1990, and covers neighbors in the Lebanon City School District, while the St. Philip the Apostle Conference began in 2002, and serves neighbors within the Little Miami and Kings School Districts. Both are part of the St. Martin Council.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Make a monetary contribution. At St. Philip this collection occurs every time there is a 5th Sunday using your SVDP envelopes, or checks made out to SVDP can be dropped off any time with the parish secretary or placed in the drop box in the Narthex. At St. Francis, the collection "for the poor" is taken on the first Sunday of every month. These collections are used to provide for our neighbors-in-need.
Join the Conference. It’s “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness” through personal relationships and service to people in need. Members (Vincentians) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to neighbors-in-need. Our members represent a range of ages, backgrounds, skills, experiences and incomes, and all are gifted with awareness that our many blessings are to be shared with neighbors-in-need. It doesn’t require great skill, just a great heart!. Anyone willing to lend a hand is welcome to join. There are abundant opportunities to give back in ways that fit your busy life. Even just a few hours of your time are very precious to those in need, and the time you devote to works of charity is small compared to the gratification and spiritual growth you receive in return.

For more information on how you can get involved:

Francis de Sales Conference SVDP Society: please contact Jeanne Wietmarschen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Philip the Apostle Conference SVDP Society: please contact Cindy Fairman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

WHO WAS ST. VINCENT DE PAUL?

St. Vincent de Paul was born on April 24, 1581, and died on September 27, 1660, which is now his feast day. He was a priest of the Catholic Church who became dedicated to serving the poor. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. St. Vincent was canonized in 1737. He is the Patron Saint of charitable organizations, hospitals, prisoners, and spiritual works. Two fundamental characteristics of St. Vincent that merit attention Prayer and Practical Love.

Prayer--St. Vincent is quoted as saying “Give me a person of prayer and he or she will be capable of anything.” This great man of action was also a contemplative, caught up in God, and consumed by God’s love.

Practical Love--St. Vincent was eminently practical, an organizational genius who urges us to “. . . make your affective love effective.” People flocked to work with him; collaboration has been a hallmark of true Vincentian work.