SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL COLLECTION—MAY 17-18

On May 18th, we’ll have a collection for our conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Our conference here in Charlestown has quietly assisted many families in need.
Saint Vincent de Paul built a network of missions and confraternities for those in need beginning in the 1600s. This foundation for a global charity system now operates in 142 countries. In the United States, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul comes to the aid of 12 million people annually. Vincentians come from all walks of life and work for a noble purpose. In their work to address the needs of the poor both spiritually and materially, they see the face of Christ.
Fr. John Williams brought the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul to Boston in 1861. The Society flourished over the city when Fr. Williams became bishop. Charlestown had the benefit of three conferences, one for every church. Each group was operated by dedicated laypersons and relied upon the donations of parishioners. St. Mary’s Conference– which runs in St. Mary– St. Catherine to day– began in 1876 under the auspices of Monsignor McMahon. Through the donations received they were able to supply shoes for children and offer food to the unemployed.
Vincentians respond to a variety of issues in Charlestown every week. Just in the past year, (since May of 2024) there have been 64 families that have been helped with furniture and rental assistance. Society members make home visits to listen to their stories, determine their living situation and assist them in whatever way they can. There have been families who have been moved to the new buildings down on Medford and Cory Street that have been assisted with furniture and new beds. Neighbors who have lost work due to layoffs or illness, unable to catch up on rent even for those who have returned to work; others who needed new furniture because of an infestation in the buildings they were in; another who suffered a flooded bedroom and could not afford to replace furniture and on and on it goes.
Of late, we have been fortunate with donations of lightly used and well-maintained furniture such as couches, kitchen tables and chairs. Beds are new and bought through our central region office in Stoughton. Monetary donations from our parishioners assist our local Conference in purchasing the needed items, pay for the costs of delivery and picking up of furniture and assist in rental payments on behalf of those who have fallen on hard times. Without donations to the Society, this assistance would not be possible.
The St. Mary Conference of St. Vincent de Paul remains in Charlestown today because of the dedication of its members who volunteer time and treasure, an endowment from Fr. Gallagher in 1972 which has been faithfully and carefully managed for the benefit of St Vincent de Paul recipients, and donations from people in the community especially in special collections or tags on the Christmas trees. We have been fortunate that we have been able to help our neighbors as the need grows and rents keep getting higher. In order for it to remain a viable source of support for those in need in our Charlestown community, contributions are needed and committed men and women to continue the Catholic tradition of person-to-person assistance. Help us continue this important ministry. If you would like to offer your support to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, please call (617) 242-4664.

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person  service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and  cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule. 
Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ. We are blessed with a vital, caring Society here in Charlestown, reaching out to those in our Town in need of help.
Watch this space for more info!

Some special needs of parishioners

Bundle Drive – October 14 through 21

The truck loading crew included Freddy, SVdP truck driver, George, Maribeth & Walter, Donna & Peter from SVdP, as well as, some local passers-by who gladly joined the effort.
We’re all in this together!
Thank YOU for your generosity in responding to this call for help!

St. Vincent de Paul – Feast Day – September 27

Saint Vincent de Paul built a network of missions and confraternities for those in need beginning in the 1600s. This foundation for a global charity system now operates in 142 countries. In the United States, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul comes to the aid of 12 million people annually. Vincentians come from all walks of life and work for a noble purpose. In their work to address the needs of the poor, both spiritually and materially, they see the face of Christ.

*** Saint Mary—Saint Catherine of Siena Parish is a part of the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s mission. Due to your support, so far this year the St Vincent de Paul Conference of our parish has helped 39 families with their various needs. (rental assistance, beds, tables, lamps, and much more). Thank you for your help and please continue to remember the poor boxes at the back of the Church, or you can mail a donation to the Parish Center at 46 Winthrop St. 100% of all donations go to help those in need!

And don’t forget the bundle drive coming up October 14th through the 21st! All is much appreciated by those we serve.

June 4th. – be Mindful of the Poor

The work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society continues in our parish.
The Society helps a number of individuals and families in Charlestown.
Please remember the good work with a gift to the Poor boxes at the back of the church. Thank you so much!

Saint Vincent de Paul

Be mindful of the poor among us by assisting the Saint Vincent de Paul Society by way of their collection boxes at the doors of the Church. The weekly offerings given to the Parish Conference of the Society are their main source of income in assisting the needy of the Parish. We thank you for your continued support
Thank you!

May 7 – 5th Sunday of Easter

In the Gospel today, Jesus says “…whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. Through your almsgiving you are performing a good work; far greater than you think. The coins placed in the St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box bring Christ love and compassion to the poor.

Saint Vincent de Paul

Be mindful of the poor among us by assisting the Saint Vincent de Paul Society by way of their collection boxes at the doors of the Church. The weekly offerings given to the Parish Conference of the Society are their main source of income in assisting the needy of the Parish. We thank you for your continued support
Thank you!

April 30 4th Sunday in Easter

Today, we celebrate “Good Shepherd Sunday” where we reflect on Jesus’ care and love of us and hear his words, “I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” By your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul you will reveal the love of the “Good Shepherd” to your suffering brothers and sisters. Please remember the poor boxes in at the doors at the back of the Church, both at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary Church.
Thank you!

April 23 3rd Sunday in Easter

In this Sunday’s Gospel, as we hear the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, We also come to know that our daily reaching out to our neighbor is our daily walk with the risen Christ; We recognize him in others.
This month, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul brought the love and care of Jesus to the poor by assisting three families, providing beds, a bureau and rental assistance totaling $1,317.15.
Thank You!

April 9: Easter Sunday

Today as we celebrate the feast of Easter, we find the
challenge of also seeing and believing the resurrection that comes through our own lives
of self-sacrifice. It is then that we are truly Easter people!
As you place your gift in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box, know that you are a sign of God’s love to those who are suffering, and you give them Easter hope and joy.

April 2: Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of the holiest of Christian weeks. Let us pray for the grace to take up our own cross and to follow Jesus through death to new life.
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the poor as
they carry their cross of suffering and pain.

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Vital Help for the Suffering and Those in Need

Saint Vincent de Paul is a global charity network that now operates in 142 countries. In the United States, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul comes to the aid of 12 million people annually. Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, known as Vincentians come from all walks of life to help the poor meet their needs both spiritually and materially.

Our Parish Conference began in 1876 under the auspices of Monsignor McMahon and supplied shoes for children and offered food to the unemployed.

Currently, the St. Mary – St. Catherine of Siena Conference, a team of about 10 parishioners, handle a variety of issues every week. Some people need help with the rent, while others are in need of a kitchen table or beds for their kids. A team will make home visits to determine their living situation and make appropriate recommendations corresponding to their needs. Often we connect those in need to our Parish emergency food pantry, Harvest on Vine. Clients are also informed about Masses and programs at St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

If you would like to make a donation to help this cause, there are boxes at the rear of the Church. Please remember, especially during this Lenten season, to help those less fortunate. “The poor have much to teach you. You have much to learn from them.”
~ St. Vincent de Paul

Remember the poor boxes at the back of the Church. Thank you.

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Provides vital help for the needy and suffering

Today, we hear Jesus say to us, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” The challenge is to let go so God can lead us.
This month, August 2020, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul enabled the poor to experience Jesus’ presence by
Assisting 2 families, with rental assistance and 2 families with beds.
Thank you

Our Parish Conference began in 1876 under the auspices of Monsignor McMahon and supplied shoes for children and offered food to the unemployed. Currently, the St. Mary – St. Catherine of Siena conference, a team of about 15 parishioners, handles a variety of issues every week. Some people need help with rent to avoid eviction, while others are in need of a kitchen table with chairs, beds for the kids or a sofa to sit on. Little things to some but big to others are requested like a simple lamp or some sheets. Others are in need of a voice to advocate for them or may just need a sounding board – a friend. A team will visit their homes to determine their living situation and make arrangements on how best they can be helped.

Over the past twelve months our parish has spent $25,199 in helping 62 families that include 124 people.