St. Vincent de Paul membership drive continues through September
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor
For the first time, the Trenton Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul is holding membership drives at the diocesan level throughout September in hopes of increasing Vincentian participation across the Diocese’s four counties.
In the past, the Diocese’s 51 conferences have conducted individual membership drives. But fresh off a visit to the society’s national convention, Joe Williams, president of the Trenton Diocesan Council, decided to incorporate a different approach.
“I think it’s good to let people know on a diocesan level that we’re out there,” he said, adding that one of the topics discussed at the national convention was membership.
He said nationally, the organization is hoping to double its numbers – growing from 98,000 members to 250,000 over the next five years. In the Diocese of Trenton, membership stands at 2,222 Vincentians.
“We’re trying to do our part,” he said.
The Diocese’s membership drive will continue through September, which, Williams said, was an appropriate month to hold the campaign. Not only is Sept. 8 the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but Sept. 9 is the feast of the society’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and Sept. 27 is the feast of its patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
Williams related that at the national convention, it was mentioned that the St. Vincent de Paul Society is “the best kept secret in the Catholic Church.”
“We’re intent on changing that,” he said.
The society’s conferences across the Diocese include 10 in both Burlington and Mercer counties, 18 in Monmouth County and 13 in Ocean County.
According to its mission statement, St. Vincent de Paul members are “men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need.” Vincentians may help in areas of intervention, consultation or volunteering at food banks or thrift stores, to name a few. Many parishes throughout the Diocese sponsor or organize works of charity through their local St. Vincent de Paul conferences.
Williams stressed some of the benefits of joining the organization, such as the spiritual fellowship found among members and serving the poor. But most important, he said, is individual spiritual development. “Only with a strong spiritual foundation can we fully and completely serve those in need.”
The diocesan membership drive is in addition to local initiatives, Williams said. “Those not ready to step forward at this point can contact their local conferences when they feel the Holy Spirit call,” he said, adding that becoming a Vincentian means months of discernment before officially being installed into the society.
For a list of the Diocese’s conferences or for more information on the St. Vincent de Paul Society, go to www.svdptrenton.org/. Those wishing to join can contact their local conference.
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By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor
For the first time, the Trenton Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul is holding membership drives at the diocesan level throughout September in hopes of increasing Vincentian participation across the Diocese’s four counties.
In the past, the Diocese’s 51 conferences have conducted individual membership drives. But fresh off a visit to the society’s national convention, Joe Williams, president of the Trenton Diocesan Council, decided to incorporate a different approach.
“I think it’s good to let people know on a diocesan level that we’re out there,” he said, adding that one of the topics discussed at the national convention was membership.
He said nationally, the organization is hoping to double its numbers – growing from 98,000 members to 250,000 over the next five years. In the Diocese of Trenton, membership stands at 2,222 Vincentians.
“We’re trying to do our part,” he said.
The Diocese’s membership drive will continue through September, which, Williams said, was an appropriate month to hold the campaign. Not only is Sept. 8 the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but Sept. 9 is the feast of the society’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and Sept. 27 is the feast of its patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
Williams related that at the national convention, it was mentioned that the St. Vincent de Paul Society is “the best kept secret in the Catholic Church.”
“We’re intent on changing that,” he said.
The society’s conferences across the Diocese include 10 in both Burlington and Mercer counties, 18 in Monmouth County and 13 in Ocean County.
According to its mission statement, St. Vincent de Paul members are “men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need.” Vincentians may help in areas of intervention, consultation or volunteering at food banks or thrift stores, to name a few. Many parishes throughout the Diocese sponsor or organize works of charity through their local St. Vincent de Paul conferences.
Williams stressed some of the benefits of joining the organization, such as the spiritual fellowship found among members and serving the poor. But most important, he said, is individual spiritual development. “Only with a strong spiritual foundation can we fully and completely serve those in need.”
The diocesan membership drive is in addition to local initiatives, Williams said. “Those not ready to step forward at this point can contact their local conferences when they feel the Holy Spirit call,” he said, adding that becoming a Vincentian means months of discernment before officially being installed into the society.
For a list of the Diocese’s conferences or for more information on the St. Vincent de Paul Society, go to www.svdptrenton.org/. Those wishing to join can contact their local conference.
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