Society of St. Vincent de Paul- St. Joseph Conference Mission Statement
We, The St. Joseph Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, are a Catholic lay organization founded on the principles of our patron, St. Vincent de Paul. Our mission is to help our members grow spiritually by seeing the face of Christ in the poor and by being the hands, feet, and voice of Christ to those in need. We accomplish this both as an individual organization and through collaboration with others in the community. We provide food, shelter, clothing and other needs leading to the physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being of those in need, thus improving the quality of their lives.
National Society of St. Vincent de Paul MISSION
We are a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.
Our Heritage and History
The Beginnings of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
In the midst of the political, social, religious, and economic turmoil of early 19th century France, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul originated. As a young student at the Sorbonne, Antoine Frédéric Ozanam was appalled by the conditions he saw in Paris. At a student meeting, another student challenged Ozanam and other practicing Catholics, admitting that while the Catholic Church had done much good work in the past, he could not see what good the Church was doing currently.
On April 23, 1833, his 20th birthday, Ozanam invited five other students to a meeting, where they founded the first Conference of Charity to assist the poor. This Catholic lay organization was intended to help members increase in holiness by loving service to those in need.
The six students chose Emmanuel Bailly, a married layman, as their first president. Shortly thereafter, they changed their name to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in honor of their patron saint.
(pulled directly from: https://ssvpusa.org/about-us/history/)
The Vincentian Family
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is one of many organizations, both lay and religious, whose members throughout the world, together inspired by the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, form a single Vincentian Family.
The Vincentian Family marks its beginning in 1617, when St. Vincent de Paul, inspired by receiving the confession of a poor farmer, founded the Congregation of the Mission. That same year he would found the first Confraternity of Charity, and just a few years later, along with St. Louise, the Daughters of Charity.
For more than 400 years, members of the Vincentian Family have dedicated themselves to serving Christ in the person of His poor, and to loving God, in Vincent’s words, “with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows.”
Gratefully remembering the support and encouragement the first Conference received from Blessed Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity, the Society maintains and develops close relationships with other branches of the Vincentian family.
(pulled directly from: https://members.ssvpusa.org/our-heritage/)
Organizations in the Vincentian Family
There are many organizations, perhaps hundreds, that continue the work and charism of St. Vincent de Paul, including:
- Congregation of the Mission was officially founded by St. Vincent in 1625, but dates its birth to the homily he gave at Folleville on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul in 1617. Today, there are some 4,000 missionaries (priests and brothers) serving in 80 countries throughout the world.
- Ladies of Charity, founded by St. Vincent as the Confraternities of Charity in 1617, is an organization of lay women dedicated to serving the poor. Globally, they are organized as the International Association of Charity (AIC) with over 250,000 members.
- Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paul in 1633, their motto is: “The charity of Jesus crucified impels us.” Currently there are approximately 17,000 Daughters serving in 90 countries around the world.
- Sisters of Charity, founded by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmittburg, Maryland in 1809. Overall, the Sisters of Charity Federation counts some 4,000 members in North America.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with over 850,000 members in 150 countries worldwide, was founded by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam in Paris in 1833. (Link: History of the Society)
(pulled directly from: https://members.ssvpusa.org/our-heritage/)
You can talk to a conference member or contact the Dana Nelson, Executive Director at director@svdpricelake.org ?
Active Members
Active Members live out their Catholic faith through service, fellowship, and prayer. They regularly attend Conference meetings, may serve on the governance team, and participate in person-to-person home visits with our neighbors in need.
Associate Members
Associate Members can be members of any faith community who share in our mission of serving others with compassion and dignity. They support the work of the Society by volunteering in our special works—such as the pantry, kitchen, thrift store, or community events—whenever they are able. Associate Members are welcome to attend meetings and may choose to participate in home visits.
