 Who
We Are
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (or
"Vincentians") are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering
person-to-person service to individuals in need. We are young
and old. Our members come in every shade of skin color.
Some of us are wealthy, some are financially poor, but all of us are
blessed with an awareness that our blessings are to be shared with our
brothers and sisters in need.
We know that we are not alone. We are part
of an international society of friends united by a spirit of poverty,
humility, and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection,
mutually supportive gatherings, and adherence to a basic Rule.
Energized by the awareness that service to our brother
or sister in need is in fact an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ,
members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are keenly aware that
poverty, suffering and loneliness are present for millions in our communities.
For that reason, we collaborate with all who seek to relieve need and
address its causes.
The Society offers tangible assistance to those in
need on a person-to-person basis. It is this personalized involvement
that makes the work of the Society unique. This aid may take the
form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct dollar or
in-kind service. An essential precept of the Society's work is
to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality
and dignity of those who are served. The Society recognizes that
it must assume, also, a role of advocacy for those who are defenseless
or voiceless. Some 12 million persons are helped annually by Vincentians
in the United States.
(To learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society
in the United States, please click
here for an FAQ.)
Third Quarter Report
In June 2008, we distributed 229 Summer Fun Bags
to the children at the Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry. The children
received a $15.00 Payless ShoeSource voucher to purchase summer sneakers
or sandals, tooth brush, tooth paste, suntan lotion and fun items such
as bubbles, Frisbees, beach ball, hats, religious bookmark and treats.
Each bag was customized by age. We also included information on
the Greensburg Library summer programs. The children were so happy to
receive something for themselves! One little boy said, You mean you
are going to buy me new shoes!" The ones he was wearing were completely
worn out. Our extra Summer Fun Bags went to the Seton Art Camp
in Dunbar which served the children of their area.
Each month we supplement the Cathedral's paper collection
by purchasing additional toilet paper for the Food Pantry. The
Vincentians hit the sales early and diligently this year to purchase
winter coats and accessories for our Winter Coat Drive.
We thank each of you for giving to the Parish Social
Ministry monthly. The St. Vincent de Paul Society - BSC Conference
receives $1,000 of your donations each month for our work with the poor.
Thank you for your generosity!
 Betty's
Back To School Project
Backpacks and shoe vouchers are given to the food
pantry children and Vincentians shop for backpacks to meet the children’s
requests using donations through the Social Ministry and other Conferences.
Please click here to learn more!
The Community
Garden vegetables go directly to the food pantry and are distributed
with the summer groceries. Volunteers working the Community Garden
help those at the food pantry.
Do you have a new coat that you just never used? Or a nearly new coat that you out-grew?
Your extra winter coat could be the only coat for some of our neighbors in need. The St. Vincent De Paul Coat &
Accessory Drive will be held on the weekend of November 1 and 2. All coats must be new or nearly new, clean,
and on hangers. We will also be collecting hats, mittens, gloves and scarves. All sizes of accessories for men, women
and children will be needed. These accessories should be new. The distribution will be on November 15, 2008.
This is a community-wide project involving the St. Vincent De Paul Society from Blessed Sacrament Cathedral,
Our Lady of Grace, St. Paul, St. Bruno and St. Edward Churches. Greensburg Central Catholic Interact Group, Scout troops,
and local businesses also participate. If you would like to collect accessories at work or with your club or group, please contact Maxine at 724.836.4056.
The food
pantry is located at
Our Lady
of Grace Church in Greensburg. This is a district project
with donations and volunteers from the community serving approximately
255 families for 555 people each month. All of the families are
registered and meet our need requirements. Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
collects the paper products for the pantry which include paper towels,
toilet paper, Kleenex, napkins and diapers. Please click
here for more information!
Thank
you for your paper donations in August.
We serve approximately 275 families at the Food Pantry. We served 228 families at the
Food Pantry which accounted for 444 people. Your generosity enabled us to give each family two items in
September. (For example: Two rolls of toilet paper or one roll of toilet paper and one paper towel.) For
many what we give them has to last one month!
 Magi
Ministry
The Magi
Ministry in the spirit of giving helps families in need to have a touch
of Christmas through our Christmas party, groceries and gifts.
For many of our families this experience is their Christmas.
Please click
here to learn more and see pictures from
last year's Magi Minstry!
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Community
Garden