Compassion and mercy… complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart – Phil 2:2

Dear Parish Family,

Today you heard an appeal for support for our St. Vincent de Paul conference here at Padre Serra. You have always been so generous to this ministry and have made it possible for us to carry out our mission of service to the poor and to keep alive the spirit of St. Vincent. 

St. Vincent de Paul, born to poor parents in France, was ordained a priest in 1600 and established the foundations which later became the Congregation of the Mission. Vincent’s predominant virtue was charity, extending to all classes of persons. In 1833 Blessed Frederic Ozanam founded the society with St. Vincent as patron saint.

St. Vincent de Paul, born to poor parents in France, was ordained a priest in 1600 and established the foundations which later became the Congregation of the Mission. Vincent’s predominant virtue was charity, extending to all classes of persons. In 1833 Blessed Frederic Ozanam founded the society with St. Vincent as patron saint.

St. Vincent de Paul programs include home visits, rental assistance, motel stays for the homeless, food pantries, transportation and utility costs, and a variety of other necessities. Your donations of food for our pantry and monetary donations have helped us serve people in need in our community. This past year we served 462 people. Here are just a few examples of how your contributions helped: 

• A family of four who had been residing at RAIN transitional living shelter was ready to move to their own            apartment. We were able to help purchase and donate needed furniture and housekeeping items for their new home.
• We purchased school clothes for a middle school student who lives with her grandmother.
• An unemployed electrician was helped with funds to renew his license for a new job.
• We paid emergency dental bills for a single mother of three living at RAIN.

This wonderful work would not have been possible without God’s help, your generous contributions and the volunteer efforts of our Vincentians. If you would like to join in the ministry of our St. Vincent de Paul Conference, please contact Teresa Runyon at teresa@padreserra.org. We would love to have you!

With love and blessings to you all,
St. Vincent De Paul Ministry
October 1  2017

---