Since its formation in the nineteenth century by the French layman, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has spread to include conferences throughout the world and, indeed, locally at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish for Billerica. As St. Paul wrote of one body with interdependent members in his teaching of Jesus and the Church, so too does the Society strive to be an example of that ideal relationship, through the intercession of its patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
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Like that of its founder, Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.” |
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The visible face of the local conference is comprised of men and women from the three parishes, who visit the homes of residents to hear of and to witness their essential needs. Requests for assistance with food, clothing and sheltering are only able to be answered because of the generosity of the heart of the Society, the parishioners of the Community, through their regular food and monetary donations. The unique gift of spiritual happiness from the needful members of the Society sustains all.
In addition to home visitations, the Society displays its confraternity through the donation and distribution of food baskets for Thanksgiving dinner and Easter Sunday meal, with an annual Friends of the Poor Walk, and by its Christmas Giving Tree Project.
If you know of someone who might be in need of assistance that the Society could address, please make them aware of our mission. If you could benefit, or benefit from, the activities of the Society, please call the office number in the bulletin. All information is held in strict confidence.