ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide Christian community. Founded in Paris, France on April 23, 1833, 200 years after the time of St. Vincent de Paul, a group of seven Catholic men established the first: “Conference of Charity.” Following the prompting of Sister Rosalie Rendu, superior of a convent of the Daughters of Charity, the Conference placed itself under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul and followed his example of service to the poor. Within a few years, the original group of seven grew to 600, spreading to 15 other cities and towns in France, expanding to 2,000 members. Twelve years later, in 1845, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul crossed the ocean to St. Louis, Missouri, where the first American conference was formed. To the day, St. Louis remains the Society’s national headquarters which supports nearly 100,000 Vincentians, men and women in 5,000 conferences across the United States. On June 4, 1922, 89 years after the Society was founded in Paris, France, the conference at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Columbia, Pennsylvania was established.

In keeping with the Vincentian vocation of following Christ through to those in need, our Conference at Holy Trinity Catholic Church is faithful to its founders through a number of initiatives including personal visitations, holiday food box distributions, holiday flower distributions to parishioners in local care facilities, maintenance of a food pantry, and support to local programs such as Meals on Wheels, Hands Across the Street, and Off the Streets. Upon request, the Conference provides financial assistance to those in need for housing and utility costs. Additionally, the Conference seeks to support international relief efforts by supporting Cross Catholic Outreach. Our Conference of Vincentians prays that the Holy Spirit may guide our visits and make us channels for the peace and joys of Christ.

Officers:
President: Paul Nikolaus
Vice President: Mickey Willy
Secretary: Bill Kloidt
Treasurer: Chris Agresta