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Society of St. Vincent DePaul St. Matthew Catholic Church Conference

The Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

As a reflection of the whole family of God, Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.

Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ. Excerpt from the Society of St. Vincent DePaul national website, see link.

National website: http://www.svdpusa.org/Home.aspx

Membership

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Matthew’s Conference welcomes all who want to serve.

 Check the parish bulletin for meeting dates. 

Types of Membership

In the United States, there are three types of membership in SVdP: Active Member, Associate Member, and Contributing Member. 1. Active Members must belong to the Catholic Church, accept the Basic Principles or Charter of the Society, be accepted as an Active Member by a Conference and be enrolled in it. In addition, they need to take part in the life of the Conference to which they belong. Participation implies a reasonable degree of involvement in SVdP meetings, charitable activities, and religious observances. 2. Associate Members, like the Active Member, are affiliated with the Society by formal action of the Conference or Council with which the member will be joined. Associate Members include those who sincerely and publicly accept the Society's basic principles but may or may not belong to the Catholic Church. Associate Members are kept informed of the developments and activities of their immediate groupings, as well as the general progress of the Society, particularly in the local area or diocese. Associate members are invited to attend the general meetings and special observances of the Society. They participate, as they are able, in the charitable activism of the Society in their area. 3. Contribution Members require no formal action for enrollment. Recognition of such status is simply granted by the Society in acknowledging the financial donations of generous or regular contributors. Contributors are invited to be present at general and special meetings.

Service Projects

Personal Assistance to those in need including assistance with medical, rent, and utilities. St. Matthew’s Food Pantry Oasis Social Ministry – Shelter, Soup Kitchen, Thrift Store Wellness Resource Prison Ministry – Virginia Beach Correctional Facility Basilica of St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen Transportation to Mass Giving Tree Holiday Baskets Phillipines Medical Mission – Eyeglass and Hearing Aid Drive