Vincent de Paul Society NEWSLETTER · Several weeks ago, the ACS Vibrant Vinnies, a youth conference in Cave Creek, were working in one of our area’s local SVdP Conference pantries

St. Vincent de Paul Society

NEWSLETTER

Published by and for Vincentians http://www.stvincentdepaul.net/Vincentian-Support September 2017 Diocesan Council of Phoenix, AZ Vol. 17 No. 8

“It is for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give them.” St. Vincent de Paul

Home visits are at the core of Vincentian service and the most unique symbol of our work and our approach and attitudes towards those in need. The reason for Home Visits is Jesus himself. Throughout his public ministry, Jesus went to the people. He did not set up a tent and establish office hours but instead went to where he was needed. His ministry was face-to-face, personal, and intimate and centered on meeting the people where they lived. A line from a popular hymn "Follow You" expresses our need to go to the poor by the words, "I will follow You into the homes of the broken." The United States Manual for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul reminds us that, “From the Society's beginning; the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been the visitation of the needy in their homes. This is the clearest symbol of our Vincentian charism, which dictates the highest respect for the dignity of the poor." (Manual p. 23) So the question should never be, should we do home visits but rather whom should we send? Our Manual goes on to point out that "Vincentians always visit in pairs. This practice emphasizes the Conference's status as a community, not as a collection of individuals 'who do their own thing'." We visit in pairs because Jesus sent his disciples out to preach and teach two-by-two. Additionally, we must keep in mind that our Diocesan Safe Environment program requires that two Safe

Environment Training compliant adults over the age of eighteen and out of high school be on each Home Visit team. A team, however, may have additional members such as, Vincentians in training, clergy wanting to learn about our process, and/or youth members. The Rule and the Manual stress that each Home Visit team needs to be comprised of Vincentians that represent both genders and come from various age groups, various backgrounds and cultures, and different life experiences thus enabling us to more fully reflect the face of Christ. In order to be on a Home Visit team, an individual must be formed in the mission, vision and Rule of the Society, mature enough to understand confidentiality and have a basic understanding of the history of our Society and its works. Care should be given to include as many of our members as possible on our Home Visit teams. We should reach out to every member of our Conference and invite them to be part of this important work of the Society that includes our youth members. To exclude individuals, including our youth members, from participating in Home Visits is to deny them the very essence of our mission and our works. It is our job to mentor and form new adult and youth members and assist them in their desire to serve others through the Society.

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Whom Shall We Send?

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry.... Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send?

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We must avoid the temptation to form a team primarily based on ease or convenience. While forming teams or seeking a partner to make a visit, we should not simply find a warm body, like a neighbor, friend, or relative to go with us just because they are available. Each member of the team needs to be formed and have an understanding of the Society and its mission. Prayer and discernment are necessary in order to form visitation teams and to form members for this important work. Conferences are empowered to create their own guidelines concerning Home Visits. These guidelines should include how teams are formed and how they interact with one another and those whom we serve. Teams should be evaluated on a regular basis and new teams formed as a conference grows or need in their area increases. Balance should be our goal. Years ago, my own conference partnered a long time Vincentian who could

never say no to a family with a newer member that frequently refused client requests. After a few adjustments and prayerful sharing, the two became one of our best teams. Their strength was in the balance created by their diversity. God, hearing the cries of the poor and needy, has called and commissioned the members of our Society to bear His light to the poor, the needy, and the lonely. So, whom shall we send? As Vincentians, each of us is being asked to go and to bear God's light to the less fortunate. Rooted in prayer, strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, and enlivened by our mission, we can join together in teams young and old, new and experienced, confident and unsure as a sign of God's active presence in the world and his unfailing love and mercy.

By Shirley Smalley President, St. Bernadette Conference

Whom Shall We Send?

Society of St. Vincent de Paul September

OFFICER TRAINING AT VSS

WHEN: SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 AND OCTOBER 7, 2017 TIME: FIRST SESSION: 10:00 AM TO 12:00 NOON SECOND SESSION 1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M. WHERE: VINCENTIAN SUPPORT SERVICES CONFERENCE ROOM Please RSVP to Sandy Edwards at 602.261.6803 or mail: [email protected] When leaving a message, please indicate if you will be attending the morning or afternoon session.

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The Gifts They Bring

Several weeks ago, the ACS Vibrant Vinnies, a youth conference in Cave Creek, were working in one of our area’s local SVdP Conference pantries. The Vibrant Vinnies were greeting individuals and families, doing a short intake process, and filling and carrying out food boxes to the various cars. Families and individuals were also coming in to set up home visit appointments for rent and or utility assistance. Unfortunately, the conference with the pantry had no teams available to make those visits during the next week. The Vinnies visited with those who needed appointments and encouraged them to call or come back next week to see if appointments were available. However, over the course of the morning two women came in who were facing immediate eviction. One was to be evicted on Monday and the other one on Tuesday. Both women had jobs, but recent life experiences had put them on the edge of homelessness. While the Vinnies understood the need to ask people to return the next week for an appointment, they also understood that this was not an option for these two people. During our closing meeting and prayer, the Vinnies asked if the adult liaisons for their conference could possibly help them find a way to prevent these evictions. They challenged us to "think outside the box." Calls were made, conferences collaborated, home visits were made and neither family was evicted. This group of young Vincentians made a real difference in the lives of these two families. The enthusiasm and optimism of their youth gave them the ability to see hope when all seemed hopeless and to seek solutions when none were readily available. Our youth members are real Vincentians with real gifts; gifts we are called to use and develop.

By Shirley Smalley

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Thank you, from the Puma family

District Eight and the Puma would like to thank everyone that help with donations to cover

medical cost for their son.


36th

ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOOD DRIVE

Each year for the past 36 years The Men of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale have hosted an event to facilitate Conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul holding Food Drives to stock their pantries with food. Over the years the food drive has grown to include some 70 or more SVDP Conferences. This year’s Kick-Off event will begin with Mass and a breakfast on Saturday, October 21st, in the Hall of Banners at 420 W. Watkins St. in Phoenix. Bishop Eduardo Nevares will celebrate Mass with us at 8:30 am. Father Greg Menegay (recently named Pastor – Blessed Sacrament) will be the homilist. Breakfast and a short program will follow. After the program, Conferences and churches may pick up the free supplies which they have ordered for conducting their local food drives. These include grocery bags, holy cards, envelopes, and flyers suggesting appropriate types of food for donation by parishioners. Typically these materials will be stapled together, distributed to parishioners one weekend, and returned with donations the following weekend. Lucy Meraz (602-850-6761) will be sending out further information in September asking Conference Presidents to sign up. This annual food drive allows parishioners to donate over 30,000 bags of food for our SVdP food pantries each year. In addition, donations are made that provide for food to be purchased. The total value to Conference pantries is well in excess of $1 million each year. Please conduct a food drive for your own local use, or plan to donate your excess food to be picked up by another SVdP Conference of your choice.


Benefactor: angel, donor, backer, helper, promoter This definition taken from Webster’s NewWorld Crossword Puzzle Dictionary speaks volumes about those who support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Avondale, Arizona. Recently our conference received a generous grant of $1,000 from the H. Howard Colehower Foundation Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation upon the recommendation of Mr. & Mrs. Roger Colehower of our parish. Our conference is truly blessed by many “angels” – parishioners and other organizations- who share in our commitment to serve the poor in many ways. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, our conference answers phone calls for help every weekday. We deliver food boxes to many families who are struggling to put food on the table. We make home visits to determine if there are ways in which we can assist families through a crisis situation such as rental assistance, help to pay utility bills, picking up prescriptions for those unable to afford needed medications, and many other difficult circumstances. Most often, we bring smiling faces, HOPE for the days to come, comfort in times of despair and sadness by our encouragement and sharing a prayer that God will pour His blessings upon each family we visit. None of this would be possible without donations from organizations like the H. Howard Colehower Foundation and continuous support from our parish family. The St. Vincent de Paul motto is: FEED…. CLOTHE….HOUSE….HEAL. Often we refer families to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift stores aiding them with CARE cards enabling them to purchase much-needed items. Our downtown SVdP campus provides meals for families; aid for the homeless; medical and dental care for those in need. Our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all gifts- large and small-which assist us in carrying on the work of our founder, blessed Frederic Ozanam. Submitted by Jeanne France St. Thomas Aquinas/St. Vincent de Paul

A SINCERE THANK YOU!


Jubilarians honored at St. Timothy

Vincentians were recently honored with the Jubilarian cross at St. Timothy. Pictured above from left are: Frank Marzano, Kay Westling and Arlen Westling. We thank you all for your many years of dedicated service.


District Four recently held a commissioning ceremony welcoming their new District President, Pat Gerencser.

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WHEN: Saturday, October 21st 10:00 to 4 p.m.

WHERE: All Valley Thrift Stores

WHY: Store managers need more help on a regular basis Seasonal volunteers can leave a vacuum Changes in handling donation procedures Increase in Shoppers!!

WE NEED: Able-bodied people to serve others through sorting, pricing, stocking, cleaning As well as taking responsibility to make our guests welcome. We need smiles! WE NEED: All Valley Conferences to get involved and support your stores by manning and convincing people what a great place to work your store can be.

Information will be going out to District Presidents in mid -September. Each district should be pre-pared to support “their” store. Assignments are the same as last year.

This is another way we as Vincentians can serve the poor; finding people willing to volunteer in our stores. It is also a great way to meet Vincentians from other conferences by sharing the shifts. Associate members should be encouraged to volunteer at their local store. Our stores have been improving in all areas; it is up to us to show our support. Remember, store receipts support our ministries. We are all one family. God bless you for ALL you do. Joann Prendergast Serve Our Stores Committee Chair [email protected]

FALL VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP SATURDAY

Society of St. Vincent de Paul September 2017

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General Membership Meeting

Our next GMM will be on Saturday, September 16, 2017

Mass will begin at 8:30 am Please invite your new

members to attend.

Committee Meetings

If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the Committee Chair

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Family Finds Stability at Westside Head Start By Renee Targos

As Jason turned age 2, he started getting good at running. So when his mom took him to a friend’s house, he found himself exploring the house and backyard to see where his little legs could take him. He never noticed his mom slipping out—and never returning. As night approached, he wanted his mom. The friend tried to get ahold of his mom, but she was nowhere to be found. After a day, Jason’s grandmother, Beth, got a call and picked him up. He was inconsolable. Overwhelmed Grandmother Finds Hope Beth, age 65, lived on a fixed income in the west valley raising two other grandchildren. She took Jason into her home. She lived on a tight budget and had difficulty dealing with his acting out behaviors from grief. She heard about Catholic Charities Westside Head Start program and enrolled Jason in the Early Head Start program. After two years, Jason graduated into the Head Start program for ages 4 and 5 year olds. He continued to have behavioral problems and cried a lot. Beth didn’t want him to start his academic career with behavioral problems, so she started working to help him. Westside Head Start referred Beth to parenting classes and training for CPR and Closing the Achievement Gap, which helps parents support their child’s academic performance. Through the trainings, Beth learned how to communicate, set consistent boundaries, stay on a schedule and other tips for helping Jason and her two other grandchildren feel secure and safe. Slowly, Jason’s behavior started to improve at home and in the classroom. Another big change happened—Jason’s mother, Alice, returned after disappearing for three years. His mother struggled with alcohol addiction, but she started a recovery program to regain her health and stability.

Helping Kids and Strengthening Family Alice moved in with her mom, Beth, to help continue her recovery and help to care for Jason. As the family started to get reacquainted, Alice started to volunteer in Jason’s Westside Head Start classroom. Alice soon found herself surrounded by a forgiving and supportive group. Beth, Jason’s teacher and the Westside Head Start family support staff encouraged Alice to get engaged in the Westside Head Start program by attending conferences, trainings and events. As she did this, she gained confidence and understood the work Beth and Jason had done together, so she could continue to support Jason’s growth. By the end of the school year, Alice started attending school herself and enrolled in college courses. Beth and Alice thanked Westside Head Start teachers and family support staff for their work with Jason as she watched Jason’s behavior and development reach high levels, setting him for success in kindergarten. Now, the family is reunited and living together as Alice pursues her education to gain better financial stability to provide for Jason. Get more information about our Westside Head Start program by visiting CatholicCharitiesAZ.org/WestsideHeadStart or call 623-486-9868.

https://www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/all-locations/youth-development





We have New (or Gently Used) Officers!

CONFERENCE OR DISTRICT

PRESIDENT

CO-PRESIDENT & BACK-UP PERSON (for urgent communications) (please indicate which)

1st VICE PRESIDENT

2nd VICE PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

Name:

Address: City: ZIP:

Phone(Home): Work: Cell:

Email:

Contact Pref: Email Cell Home Phone Conference Phone

Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


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CO-SECRETARY

TREASURER

CO-TREASURER

SPIRITUAL ADVISOR

CO-SPIRITUAL ADVISOR

Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


Name:

Address: City: ZIP:


Email:


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Articles for October

2017/2018 Conference Directory

If you have New or Gently Used Officers please fill out the form on Page 12. Also, if you have any other changes for the Directory please submit them to me by October 9, 2017. Please return form to: Sandy Edwards, VSS, P.O. Box 13600 Phoenix AZ 85002-3600 Thank you so much.

Articles are due on September 25th for the October issue. Please submit your articles to: Sandy Edwards: [email protected] Sorry for the short notice.

Special Note

The Prayer line page is getting very full. If you have anyone listed who I can remove, please let me know.

Thank you, Sandy Edwards.

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Requiescat In Pace

May the Angels lead them into Paradise, may the martyrs receive them at their coming and lead them into Jerusalem, the Holy City.

May the Choir of Angels welcome them and, with Lazarus, who was also poor,

may they have everlasting rest.

Ernst Hunkeler Our Lady of Joy

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Blessed Frederic Ozanam Intercession Prayer Line

O God, our Father, You alone have the power to bestow those precious gifts of Yours which we rightly call miracles. If it be Your will, be pleased to grant such a gift on behalf of...

ALL SAINTS MESA

Geri Adams Veronica Nord Maureen Julian CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

Eddie Zavala Bob Bruce Maria Veloz HOLY CROSS Traci Fay HOLY FAMILY Emily Allaire IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Mike Vize Sally Ochoa Lucy Lucero Linda Lee–Chambon Diane McCann OLPH SCOTTSDALE Mike Herrrmann Pat Hawn Forrest Dougherty Lila Wisdom Barbara Lowman OUR LADY OF THE LAKE Doris Vore QUEEN OF PEACE Karen Rohan Susan Petrie Mary ay Dunlevy Martina Bonilla SACRED HEART—PARKER Karen Rath Mary Gonzales ST. JAMES Diane Stofko Abel Noble SACRED HEART—PRESCOTT Richard Howell Herb Bourgault Hamilton "Smitty" Smith ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX Dick Norton

St. Thomas the Apostle John Winters ST. HELEN Joan Compas ST. LOUIS THE KING Phil & Mary Whelan Ed & Esther Escarcega Raul & Elvia Lujan Mario & Mary Fierros Bob McCarty ST. CLARE OF ASSISI Art Gratton Cathy Benoit Mariluz McVay ST. FRANCIS XAVIER Margie Charles Gene Gazzola Joan Gazzola

ST. GERMAINE Mary Fiebiger Fred Widmer Gloria Johns Marie Grist Gil Stritar Pat Caldwell Jeanne Kochan Pat Pike Gil Stritar Lucy Vaughn Sean McKeller ST. GREGORY Dixie Miller

ST. MARGARET MARY-BHC Rev. Peter Dobrowski

ST. MARY—KINGMAN Janie Scott Roger and Rita Gaumond ST. MARY MAGDALENE Nancy Weise ST. JEROME Nancy Barnes Yvonne Hurley

ST. JOSEPH—WILLIAMS Theresa Norsworthy

ST. MATTHEW Evelyn Guerra Charles Seps

ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE PAYSON Anna Guerre

ST. JOACHIM & ST. ANNE Gene Harmeling Irene Sosnicki Harry Steckler Archie Schiavo Elizabeth Carnal Al La Rocque Mary Taylor Lucia Mastroianni Terry Young

ST. ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE Demore Family ST. STEVEN’S Betty Perry Pat Krause

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Henrietta Cordova SVDP EXECUTIVE OFFICE Andre O’Connor Michelle Small Ryan and Jenna Stepp Kevin Harless Merle Schmith Jerry Simmons Jim Novotny Emilie Lima Catherine Mulhern Esteban Chavez John Jakubczyk Cindy Coons Rosemary Brown Peter McQuaid Michael and Mia Estrada Gloria Garcia Kathleen Nageotte Sharon Ehmann Jon Smith Pam Eisenberg Elizabeth Lehe Bob Enderle Paul Joseph DeMuro Dick Hannon Jim Ballard Paul Hagerty

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Documents

Vincent de Paul Society NEWSLETTER · Several weeks ago, the ACS Vibrant Vinnies, a youth conference in Cave Creek, were working in one of our area’s local SVdP Conference pantries