The Living Legacy of St. Vincent de Paul
A Daughter of Charity, a member of the order founded by St. Vincent ed Paul and St. Louside de Marillac, serves soup to a poor man.
St. Vincent de Paul, born in 1581 in France, dedicated his life to the service of the poor. Inspired by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, in 1625 he founded the Congregation of the Mission to bring the Gospel to those in underserved areas of France. Later, together with St. Louise de Marillac, he established a network of charitable organizations, including the Daughters of Charity, aimed at providing aid and comfort to those in need. His lasting impact led to the formation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVdP), a global lay organization committed to offering direct assistance to individuals and families facing hardship.
Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac depicted in paintings.
Locally, our parish chapter of SSVdP continues this mission. Comprised of a small but dedicated team, members raise funds through a variety of efforts, including using the church parking lot as event parking during TiCats games at the arena, and together with the area SSVdP council, operating thrift shops that provide affordable goods while channeling proceeds back into funding their work with the poor.
Each year, the Society’s most anticipated effort is the Christmas hamper campaign, designed to bring joy and relief to families struggling during the holiday season. This week marked the kickoff of the campaign, highlighted by a remarkable donation from the families at St. Ann Catholic Elementary School. Their contributions provide a strong start to what promises to be another season of generous giving and community support.
Parishioners and friends are warmly invited to participate in the Christmas hamper campaign by bringing donations with you and leaving them in the baskets in the narthex when attending Mass. Our volunteers will then sort them and assemble them into hampers to be distributed to families in our community.
Every gift, big or small, helps brighten the lives of those in need and honours the enduring spirit of St. Vincent de Paul’s compassionate legacy. Together, we can embody the true meaning of the season and lift up our neighbours in need.
