For More Information regarding this Group
please contact the following:

Society of St. Vincent de Paul -
Call our Hotline at 412-564-3191

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
MISSION & HISTORY
Founded in 1833, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a non-profit organization, serves local individuals in need on a person-to-person level.
“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.”
Founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam, a French college student, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves local individuals in need on a person-to-person level. The Society is operated primarily by volunteers, organized in regional Councils around the world. The Council of Pittsburgh was formed in 1852 and covers six counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania – Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Greene, Lawrence, and Washington.

Volunteer members, called Vincentians, are grouped into Conferences. A Conference is a group of men and women who work as a team to provide concrete aid and comfort to their neighbors in need in their local community. Today, there are more than 55 Conferences within the Council of Pittsburgh with more than 1,000 volunteer members. The Council of Pittsburgh also employs a staff of about 100 individuals dedicated to operating five thrift stores, a warehouse, a Recycling, Transportation and Logistics Center, and providing support services to the local conferences.

Every year, the Council serves more than 100,000 neighbors in need through a variety of direct services including clothing, furniture, housing, utility assistance, food, medical care, and transportation. The thrift stores serve as outlets for clothing and household items to needy individuals and families referred to by local Conferences. Additionally, income earned from store sales and recycling operations undertaken by the warehouse supports our assistance programs.

CONSIDER BECOMING A VINCENTIAN (HELP OTHERS)

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is composed of men and women, known as Vincentians, who seek personal holiness through works of charity. They strive to act in the image of Jesus, do God’s will, and devote themselves to the service of the poor and suffering.

Vincentians dedicate themselves to those in need, share in spirituality, promote a life of prayer and reflection, and work together to bring the most aid and comfort they can to their neighbors. It is a community of action – transforming concern for those in need into concrete service and
understanding.

The cornerstone of the Vincentian journey is the Home Visit – in which Vincentians meet with clients in their place of residence so that they may better understand their struggles and needs. By meeting face to face with their neighbors, Vincentians see the Face of Christ in those they are blessed to serve.  The focal point of our vocation is the person-to-person encounters and the acts of charity for our neighbors – whoever they may be

THE CORPUS CHRISTI CONFERENCE

The Corpus Christi Conference currently has 10 active Vincentians who rotate weekly on call to address requests from Friends in Need who may contact the parish St. Vincent de Paul assistance line (412) 564-3191.  The Conference is also blessed to have 10 Associate Members who provide support to the ministry through their prayers and financial assistance.   Once a request for assistance is received two members of the Conference arrange for a home visit to listen to the friend’s needs and gather facts to understand their present circumstances and how the Conference may best provide some short-term support.  These Home Visits are key to bringing the love and light of Christ to our suffering sisters and brothers.  As we pray with them and for them we are able to compassionately share their burden and see the face of Christ in their suffering.  This is the Grace of serving as a Vincentian.  

The requests for assistance and results of the Home Visits are reported and considered at monthly Conference meetings which are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM in the Holy Child rectory conference room. Over the most recent fiscal year the Conference has assisted Friends & Families in Need” by paying rents, mortgages, utilities, car repairs, providing furniture and delivering food & gas gift cards totaling nearly $53,000.

The Conference welcomes the participation of new members.  We invite you to come and see by attending one of our meetings.  Service as a Vincentian is an ideal way to live your faith.  Please consider sharing your faith and talents in this ministry to the poor and you will be richly blessed.

May Christ’s Peace be with you.

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Corpus Christi Conference
(412) 564-3191