By David Karas | Correspondent
Home visit prayers, servant leadership and responding to disasters are just some of the ways those who serve in the ministry of St. Vincent de Paul live out their call to service.
And those topics, among others, graced the agenda of the annual Eastern Region gathering of the Vincentians – an occasion marking nearly 400 years of service for the international movement. This year’s meeting featured workshops and round table discussions, as well as a Mass celebrated by Vincentian Father Patrick Griffin, former director-general of the Daughters of Charity.
“As members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we are followers of Christ who keep our eyes on those who have gone before us in a 400 year version of ‘follow-the-leader,’” Father Griffin said in his keynote presentation.
He continued, “Christ is always the leader and our walk is always with him, but with such pleasant playmates and companions. All of them teach us the values of organization, collaboration and compassion.”
Some 130 Vincentians serving in chapters and councils across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., turned out for the June 4 gathering, held in the Princeton Theological Seminary.
And they were greeted by a welcome video-taped by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., himself a member of the Congregation of the Mission, an order founded by St. Vincent de Paul.
“Bishop’s message used the parable of the Good Samaritan and his remark that we are truly the Good Samaritans of the 21st century,” said Joe Williams, president of the Trenton Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul.
Williams said that attendees had the chance to participate in a wide range of workshops that straddled the practical and spiritual components of their work. Presentations touched on everything from grant writing to assisting the poor as they strive for self-sufficiency, not to mention advocacy and spirituality.
“The ability to interact with Vincentians throughout the East Region cannot be overlooked,” added Williams. “Sharing stories of how a common problem was addressed gives the individual a new perspective that can be brought back to their local conference.”
In the Diocese of Trenton, St. Vincent de Paul societies run thrift shops in Brick, Union Beach, Medford and Belmar, as well as Berlin in the Diocese of Camden. Additionally, many parishes throughout the Diocese sponsor or organize works of charity through local St. Vincent de Paul activities.
Williams said that the hope behind the regional gathering was “the development of a strong spiritual component,” a goal he believes they exceeded in the program.
“Bishop O’Connell’s video message, our opening prayer service…and closing Mass,” he said, all “collectively helped.
“The fact that our Vincentian Family is serving the poor essentially just as Vincent de Paul did 400 years later is very humbling,” said Williams. “I learned once again how fortunate I am that I was called by the Holy Spirit to serve as a Vincentian.”
John Currie is a member of the St. Rose Conference, Belmar, and a member of the board for the Trenton Diocesan Council. He described the “great amount of grace flowing” at the gathering, adding that his expectations are always exceeded.
“I love meeting my fellow Vincentians from other states,” he said, recalling in particular a couple he met, who had come from West Virginia for the meeting. Together, the couple and another person are the Vincentian presence to coal country in southwest West Virginia.
The day will “help support these West Virginian Vincentians in fighting poverty and restoring the human dignity that God gives us at birth and that has been crushed by the hopelessness of hunger and need,” he said, reflecting on the power that can come from such interactions and collaborations. “We the laity of the Catholic Church need to awaken the giant, which is us, and strive to persevere in helping our need neighbors.”
Currie said that the experience reminded him of his commitment to living as a Vincentian.
“Being around all these Vincentians has fertilized my spiritual growth and love of Jesus,” he shared. “It is fitting that for 400 hundred years, Vincentians have been a thread in the tapestry of the love that our God has for His people.”