Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Saint Pascal Conference

Mission Statement: 

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization,  follows in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and its patron, St. Vincent de Paul,  by promoting spiritual growth through person-to-person service to those who are in need and suffering.

Members witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will to relieve need and address its causes, making no distinction among those served because, in them, members see the face of Christ.

On Ash Wednesday, 1983, Saint Pascal was installed as a conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.  Since that time, the St. Pascal conference has provided thousands of dollars in food and hours of service to our parishioners and the community.

Members of Saint Vincent de Paul are parishioners whose ministry is guided by Jesus’ command that we love one another, and the gospel message that we are our brothers and sisters keepers.  The Vincentian ministry centers on prayer, faith and service to others regardless of religion, culture, race or social status.

The conference has 21 active members who attend the meetings, perform home visits and participate in works of mercy; and 13 associate members who participate in activities.  The Special Friends of the Society make unsolicited donations of money to help support the Conference’s special works.

The St. Pascal Conference is active both inside and outside of the parish community.

Activities include:

  • Visiting families or individuals either at their homes or the rectory to offer assistance and referrals to Catholic and public agencies.
  • Providing Jewel and Subway gift cards for emergency assistance.
  • Maintaining a pantry to provide food to anyone in need throughout the year, especially for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Collecting food donations from the parish on the first Sunday of the month to stock the food pantry.
  • Sharing food with other pantries in the Chicago area.
  • Assembling survival packs (a brown bag of food) for the homeless once a year.
  • Providing hot meals for the needy twice a year.
  • Collecting clothing for the needy (Bundle Days) twice a year.
  • Visiting hospitals, nursing homes, people with disabilities and the homebound.
  • Working Tag Days for the financial support of St. Vincent de Paul Special Works within the Conference, District and Archdiocese.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is easy to join.  No special qualifications are required other than the desire to join with others to help those in need for the love of God.

To learn more, please call 773-725-7641. 
 


On Sunday, November 18,  members of the Saint Pascal Conference of the
Saint Vincent de Paul Society served a Thanksgiving luncheon at the
Austin YMCA on 501 N. Central Avenue in Chicago.


 

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Pascal Conference - Reflections for the month of March

 April 7, 2013

SVDP BUNDLE DAYS: On Saturday, April  27 and Sunday, April 28, we will conduct our Spring collection of, clean usable clothing, and usable kitchenware and utensils.  As you go through your closets and dressers this month, put aside any clean spring, summer, fall or winter clothing you will no longer use. This includes clothing for adults, teen-agers, children, and infants. We always need adult and infant bedding such as sheets and blankets. If you have pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and other kitchen utensils which are usable. but you no longer need or plan to replace, we can use them. Place everything in plastic bags, boxes, or clothes hangers.
NOTE: Sorry, but we cannot accept any electrical items, infant cribs or car seats, toys, stuffed animals, luggage, office furniture, books and magazines.  If you have any questions, please leave a message for us with the rectory secretary (725-7641). The place and the hours for collection will be listed in the April 21 bulletin, and posted in the entrances to the church.

April 14, 2013

“Thank You! Thank You!”  The expressions of sincere appreciation we received from the parishioners who picked up their food packages for their Easter meal humbled us.  The notes and cards of THANK YOU we have received are a response to your generosity for the non-perishable food and monetary donations that made Easter special for them.  As Christians baptized into the life, death, and resurrection of the Risen Lord, you are indeed disciples following in His footsteps. Your actions renew and deepen the faith of others. May the Lord of compassion bless you and your families for your concern for their needs, especially in this troubled economic time.  You are special!

April 21, 2013

Next Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, we will collect clothing for our Bundle Days. Please bring your donations of clean clothing for adults, infants, and children, as well as linens, and usable dinnerware, pots and pans, to the Moody Street parking lot during these hours:
    Saturday, April 27 -  9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
                                  4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday,   April 28 -  8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sorry, but we CANNOT accept baby beds, cribs, walkers, car seats, play pens, toys, stuffed animals, books, magazines, furniture, any appliances, bicycles, or electrical equipment. Call the rectory (725-7641) if you have any questions, and one of our members will return your call.

April 28, 2013

The gospels tell us over and over in many ways that love means self-sacrifice. Think about it.
As loving parents we sacrifice much for our children; as husbands and wives we know that love demands self-sacrifice; we easily respond to others’ tragedies with gifts of money and service; we reach out to a perfect stranger on the street who is in need. We do this because we know Jesus loves us and we share in His mission of being advocates to the most needy among us.  It’s not enough to feel someone else’s pain. We should react as Christ did in His time on earth, because we must be responsive disciples to His command that we love one another.

Next weekend we will collect non-perishable food for our parish pantry.  Please bring at least one item of non-perishable food to the Mass you attend. The persons and families who receive it will be most grateful for your recognizing their great need.