Social Justice

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society is dedicated to responding to Our Lord’s many commands and admonitations to love and serve the poor. It does this by providing spiritual and corporal works of mercy to those who ask for help. Just as importantly, it is also dedicated to the spiritual growth of its members. 

The society was formed in 1833 in Paris, France, by a rich young man named Fredrick Ozanam and rapidly grew to its current world-wide membership of over 700,000 men and women. Locally, the society was started in 1852 by Bishop Spalding and today has expanded to 52 churches in this Diocese.

Resources for this work are supplied through the gifts placed into the four St. Vincent de Paul poor boxes in the gathering space and from the members themselves. At present there are eighteen men and women of St. Gabriel who are active members. Visits to the homes of those requesting assistance is a primary activity. However, some members make weekly visits to nursing homes, assist at the soup kitchen at the downtown location, and do physical activities such as healing the poor to move to a new location, painting, appliance repair, visiting the sick and so forth.

Meetings are held every second and fourth Monday at 7:00 P.M. in the Multi-Purpose Building #1.

You can help by placing a buck (more if the Spirit prompts you!) into the poor boxes each week. Just think what work could be done if every member of this large parish donated a dollar a week!!!