A Look into the Ministry of St. Vincent de Paul
We can all image a time(s) where things weren’t easy, where an unforeseen expense or unexpected life challenge found us struggling. Life can take a cruel turn that changes the parameters of our comfort levels. Regardless, if it’s temporary or a series of events that brought forth the circumstance, we all need help at one time or another. For many of us we have a family, friends, a faith-based community support system at our disposal. For others that support system is nonexistent. In both cases it may be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel especially when we don’t have an integrated support system. That is where Saint Vincent de Paul Society comes in.
When I was asked to write about St. Vincent de Paul Society, my immediate thought was to describe an outreach program and leave it at that. But it’s much more than that and to some it’s a last call for hope.
It starts with a simple gesture, giving of one’s time. Beginning with our intake-call, volunteers are taking the time to listen, understand the need and the constraints, and attain information for the team member who will be connecting with our “friend in need”. The team receives a synopsis of the needs and associated challenges, but the connection isn’t made until the one on one is established, where we’re able to put a voice to a face and a face to the trial. We give our callers our undivided attention. Some are willing to share their life story, others stick to the current predicament. When our FINs have unburdened their thoughts, our work begins, and the next step can be challenging, and heart breaking, as we empathize with their situation, ask some personal questions with compassion, humanity, and grace, and inevitably, listen to their responses, which generate more questions. Some of the answers can be painful to admit or articulate. We’re not here to judge, and many times we need to remind them of that; our goal is to help if we can, attempt to find viable solutions and pray for/with them.
Personally, the most challenging part after getting through all that is the decision, “Can we help?”. Most cases are easy to decipher, others are complicated and require much more guidance both from the committee and the other services, and the reality is we can’t always say yes. We are tasked with being good stewards of what we have, because we are cognizant that the funds we have are donated by parishioners, and our ability to help is related to support we receive from the congregation.
For those of you wondering how I became involved, a team member reached out and asked if I’d like to sit in on a meeting or two and get a sense if this was right fit for me. It took a few meetings to fully commit. As I was listening to other team members regarding the cases they were dealing with, it was moving. I can’t explain it, this was something I felt I should be assisting with.
My first case, I remember apologizing to the FIN and telling her she was stuck with a newbie. She took the time to say, “don’t worry, together we can figure this out.” As first cases go, to receive grace from someone in need, I couldn’t help but feel humbled. And for those of you wondering, yes, they received our assistance.
There is still much to learn. Anyone interested in the committee, please contact any of us on the SVdP team, and we would be happy to discuss the process.
Please know that the St. John the Evangelist parish community has played an integral part in the healing for those we have helped. Knowing that complete strangers are willing to help, gives our callers the peace and knowledge that they have been seen, heard, and cared for.
On behalf of the SVdP society, thank you for the contributions and we ask for your prayers for our callers and our team.
Much love and gratitude.
Ida Fitzsimmons
Parishioner
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Member
Interested in getting involved with St. Vincent de Paul? St. John’s society is looking for more help to help more people! Contact the group for more information at sjedispatch@svdp-rochmn.org.