Reflections - St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Romans 15: 1-2).

During the summer, we tend to spend more time outdoors. Whether it’s sitting outside on the front porch, gardening, mowing the lawn, or meeting up at the community pool, it seems like we’re always bumping into someone we know, or maybe making the acquaintance of a neighbor that we didn’t already know. Summer’s warm evenings and late sunsets make it a great time to get to know your neighbors better if you don’t already. It’s a time to take a break from the monotony of busy day to day routines, turn off the electronic devices and go enjoy nature and talking to people face to face.

Getting to know your neighbors might mean just chatting with them, or maybe helping them out and looking out for them. Maybe you get to know an elderly neighbor and check in on them during the extremely hot weather to make sure their home is cool enough, or help with mowing their lawn, or taking out the trash. Or maybe you have a neighbor who is going through a rough patch financially, and you bring them some fresh vegetables or fruit from your garden to help supplement their meals. You might have a neighbor who needs help with childcare, perhaps a mom who needs someone to watch her kids occasionally when she goes to work. Perhaps your neighbor has recently lost a loved one, and just needs someone to keep them company. Sometimes you just need to get to know your neighbor a little bit, and you might find out that you can help them greatly.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society is all about neighbors helping neighbors. It’s about caring people helping their neighbors in need of the very basic necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation and emotional support in times of need. Care and compassion from one neighbor to another can transform lives, both that of the person giving and the person receiving. Jesus preached that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. In providing assistance to the suffering and needy, we ourselves can grow spiritually.

One of the ways in which members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society help neighbors is by making person to person visits, in homes, hospitals and prisons. By participating, you can help your neighbors in various ways, such as helping them achieve positive lifestyle changes, giving them emotional support and comfort, and by providing the gift of lasting friendship.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Celebrating National Nonprofit Day

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Today, August 17, National Nonprofit Day will be celebrated around the world. Sherita J. Herring, a speaker, author and business strategist, founded the day in 2017 with the intent to educate, enlighten and empower people to make a difference by learning about and becoming involved with nonprofits. National Nonprofit Day gives thanks to the volunteers and workers who impact lives every day, the change-makers of the world.

National Nonprofit Day pays homage to the more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered in the U.S. that work to improve the world, including our local communities. With this many nonprofit organizations, there is a volunteer or charitable opportunity for just about every cause. The National Center for Charitable Statistics reports that about 25 percent of Americans aged 16 and older has taken some part in supporting a nonprofit organization, whether that be donating supplies or money, or actually volunteering in the community.

If you can’t afford to donate money, clothing, or food, perhaps you can volunteer your time. You can provide transportation to a neighbor who needs to get to a job interview or work. You can help deliver meals to those who are not able to get to the store or cook for themselves. Your skill sets may prove invaluable to others who need help.

You can also offer your emotional support to those in need. You can provide comfort to a neighbor who might be suffering in silence. Perhaps an elderly neighbor is all alone and would enjoy some company, a neighbor has a family member in crisis which is also affecting him or her, or a neighbor is suffering from addiction and needs someone to push him or her to get help.

As we celebrate National Nonprofit Day today, consider donating supplies or offering up your time or talents to help others in need. The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society work tirelessly to help their neighbors who are in need of the basic necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, or a place to live. They help comfort those who are suffering emotionally with person to person visits in homes, hospitals and prisons. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul also works to alert political leaders to those in crisis so that laws can be created to address problems in the community. They become a voice for the voiceless.

When you volunteer with an organization such as St. Vincent de Paul, you can truly make a difference in the lives of your neighbors. Give to others and you will receive as well, with the joy of knowing that you have helped make someone’s life a little bit easier and a little bit brighter.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

The Good Samaritan- A Story of Hope

“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

The month of July falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which takes us through the life of Christ, and runs from the end of the Easter Season until Advent begins. Priests wear green vestments when celebrating Mass during Ordinary Time. Green is representative of the color of springtime, representing the renewal of life and hope for a glorious resurrection.

One story of renewal and hope in the Bible is the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan is the Gospel passage read on Sunday, July 14^th this year.

The Bible passage begins with a man asking Jesus how to achieve eternal life. Jesus replies by saying that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and the second is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Questioning Jesus, the man asks who counts as his neighbor. Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In the parable, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers. The robbers take his clothes, beat him, and leave him for dead. A priest traveling down the same road sees the man but continues without stopping. A Levite man also passes by, sees the beaten man and continues on his way. Finally, a Samaritan passing down the road sees the man, takes pity on him, and stops to help him. He pours oil and wine on the victim’s wounds and bandages him. The Samaritan then puts the man on his own donkey, taking him to an inn to care for him. The next day he gives the innkeeper money and asks him to look after the man.

Then Jesus asks the man to whom he told the story, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” The man answers, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus then preaches, “Go and do likewise.”

Just as Jesus preached in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul work to show mercy on their neighbors. You too, can follow the example of the Good Samaritan. Don’t ignore the homeless person you pass by on the street. Don’t forget about those who are hungry, or in need of clothing, or shelter. You can do something to transform your neighbor’s life. God wants us to show our neighbors mercy.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Taking Care of Your Family

“Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).

Summer is a time when many people pause their daily routines to spend time with their families. Family vacations are an annual tradition for so many of us in the summer. Some families spend a week at the beach, some take a cruise to explore exotic ports, some visit relatives a few states away, some fly to Europe to see the sights and soak up the culture, some go on a camping adventure in the mountains, and some just stay home and enjoy all that summer has to offer in their own backyard. Some family vacations include only mom, dad, and the kids, while some are bigger, extended family affairs with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins coming together.

Summer is a time to pause from the busy chaos that is everyday life. It’s a time to relax and truly enjoy life without just going through the motions as so many do from day to day. The days are longer, the warm weather allows us to spend more time outside, and the bright blue skies and green grass evoke happiness in the hearts of many. Most importantly, it’s a time to take care of your family by spending quality time together. Passing the time with your family members is a way to show them how much you love and care for them. Whether you journey to distant lands together, enjoy a day at the beach together, or just catch fireflies in your own backyard together, the important thing is that you are spending time together- taking care of each other.

It’s so important to take care of members of your own family, including your children, spouse, parents, siblings and those close to you. It’s equally important to take care of the family members who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There are many who are not fortunate enough to even have a home in which to live in, let alone take a family vacation. Some of our brothers and sisters have no relatives, living alone with no one to look after them. We must do whatever we can, whether by donating essential supplies like food or clothing, by comforting those who are in need emotionally, or by visiting those who are all alone and providing them company.

Just as Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his society did in Paris in the 1800s, today members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society work tirelessly to take care of everyone in God’s family. We must remember all our brothers and sisters, not just the ones with whom we share a home, a last name or a blood connection.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Promoting the Common Good

“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7:9).

Pope John Paul II stated, “We are all really responsible for all.” Every individual in God’s human family has a certain responsibility to cooperate in unity. As members of the human community, we must look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. The Principle of the Common Good reinforces the idea that social conditions are such that everyone is able to reach his or her full human potential and realize their God given human dignity. The common good is about respecting the rights of all people. The individual does not have unrestricted rights at the expense of others, but the rights of the group do not come before individual rights.

In the view of the Catholic Church, the optimal social conditions require mutual respect among all members of the community, as well as the government maintaining peace and security. These conditions lead to the social well-being and development of each individual. Today, when our world is so closely connected, there is a need for international structures to support the just development of individuals within our global society.

We can look to the Bible for examples of promoting the common good. There is an important lesson in the Book of James, 2: 14-16, which says, “What does it profit, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?”

Matthew 25:35 states, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” This is a powerful lesson about what we should be doing as members of God’s human family. When we bring comfort to the sick, feed the hungry, or clothe the needy, we are reminded of how Jesus taught us to do for the least of our brothers and sisters.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul works to promote the common good in the community. From reaching out to those who are isolated or in need, to speaking out to those in government to make them aware of the needs that exist, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeks to turn concern into action. As the Bible states, you must not only have faith, but also take action to help others in need.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

God’s Plan Includes Equality for All

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the feast” (Luke 14 13:14).

The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred and that each individual is born with God-given dignity. The inherent dignity in every member of the human family is the basis for all the principles of Catholic social teaching. There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church, one of which is the Principle of Human Equality.

Today’s world is increasingly plagued by growing materialistic attitudes and declining respect for human life. In contrast, the Church teaches that all human life is sacred and that human dignity is the foundation of society’s moral compass. God’s plan for humanity includes giving each person unique gifts and talents. The social, cultural and economic discrimination that occurs because of some people’s differences does not fit in with God’s plan. Every member of the human family has an inherent right to be treated with equality just as they have an inherent right to dignity.

Treating your brothers and sisters fairly, as equals, is a way to define justice, or giving each person his or her due. From a very young age, many children understand the concept of fairness. The concept of treating others with equality can be translated to treating others fairly.

The founder of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, lived in Paris during the June Rebellion of 1832. The world’s most populous city then, Paris was in total chaos from the lack of equality among classes, resulting in the oppression of the poor. Hunger and disease plagued the lower class, causing societal unrest. Food shortages and increases in the cost of living caused extreme hardship for the lower class. A cholera outbreak took the lives of more than 18,000 in Paris, ravaging the poor neighborhoods. Ozanam and other like-minded, young Catholic students at the Sorbonne University saw a path other than dying or killing others to uphold their democratic ideals in the name of social justice and equality. While many at the university eschewed Christian beliefs, Ozanam and his friends were inspired by the Gospel to follow the example of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of Charity. They ministered to the poor by personal visitation, bringing food, clothing, medicine and firewood to them in their quest for social justice.

Just as Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his society did in Paris in the 1800s, today members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society work to treat everyone with equality. Ministering to those who are down on their luck or unable to support themselves, or by bringing oppression to the attention of political leaders in an attempt to stop it, helps promote equality among all members of God’s human family. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Protecting and Preserving God’s Creation

“Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation (Genesis 2:15).”

Summertime is a season for the senses, abounding with awesome natural beauty. Flowers in dazzling colors contrast with lush green grass and brilliant blue skies to create a beautiful landscape. We can truly appreciate the wonder of God’s creation on a sunny summer day. From grassy fields to sandy shores, summer is a showcase of the pure beauty of nature.

In the midst of admiring the glorious summer landscape, we should pause to remember that we are the stewards of this planet. God created the world and has entrusted it to the human beings whom he also created. According to the Bible, we are called by God to be stewards of creation. God has placed the Earth under the management of all his disciples. We ought to obey God and show Him respect by protecting the environment and helping it to flourish. Caring for the Earth and all God’s creation is a fundamental requirement of our faith.

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. The Principle of Stewardship is also known as Care for God’s Creation. Pope Francis states, “Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” Protection and preservation of the environment helps to promote the common good, which is vitally important to the well-being of society as a whole.

As Christian stewards, we should be grateful for God’s gifts, cultivating them responsibly and sharing them with others, ultimately returning them to God in an even better state than they were given to us. Stewardship has the ability to shape us as disciples and help us live in a better and more responsible manner. It is challenging to be a steward of the Earth, given the dominant secular culture of our society so often driven by greed and selfishness, but those who do so will find great joy.

We look to Jesus’ example for guidance in how to be a good steward of the Earth. Jesus calls us individually to a vocation, our unique role in God’s divine plan. Part of each human’s individual vocation includes stewardship of the Earth. Jesus taught his disciples to show gratitude for the gifts we receive and to use them to show our love for God and our brothers and sisters. Caring for God’s creation builds up our world as well as the Kingdom of God.

We are called by God to give support in the way of time, money, prayers and service as part of our duty of stewardship. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides many opportunities for those who desire to be good stewards of God’s creation and in turn promote the common good of society.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Honoring Those Who Have Laid Down Their Lives for Others

“The love of God in us is witnessed by our willingness to lay down our lives for others as Christ did for us” (1 John 3:16-18).

Today many Americans associate Memorial Day with the unofficial beginning of the summer season. It is a time for many folks to head to the beach, enjoy the pool, or take part in a barbeque with family and friends. It is also, more importantly but sometimes forgotten, our nation’s most solemn holiday. Observed on the last Monday of May, this year on May 27, Memorial Day is a day to honor the American men and women who have given their lives in order to serve others. At 3:00 p.m. local time, a national moment of remembrance is held each Memorial Day.

Waterloo, New York was recognized in 1966 as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo held the first unofficial Memorial Day as early as 1866, during which businesses in the community closed, and residents decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers with flowers and flags.

General John A. Logan, head of a Northern Civil War veterans’ organization, led the call for a national day of remembrance in 1868. First called “Decoration Day,” this day in late May honored those who served and lost their lives in the Civil War. When World War I also claimed the lives of so many brave Americans, this national day of remembrance evolved to honor Americans who died in all wars, past and present, sacrificing their lives in order to protect the common good.

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. The sixth principle of Catholic Social Teaching is the Principle of Solidarity. This principle highlights how as members of one human family, we are called to serve our neighbor, whether they live down the street or halfway around the world. Solidarity binds all humans together as a family, making it impossible for citizens of first world nations such as the U.S. to ignore those in countries whose citizens are denied basic human rights.

This Memorial Day, we honor the fallen military men and women who so bravely served the citizens of our own country as well as the oppressed citizens of countries where the U.S. has intervened for the sake of social justice. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” Enacting the principle of solidarity helps us to promote the common good by responding to societal issues not just through charity, but also by working towards social justice and peace.

Jesus called us to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. The brave military men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the common good are the ultimate example of being their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Find New Life This Easter

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24 6:7).

Easter, the most sacred of the Christian holy days, is a time for celebration and new life as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The celebration of Easter Sunday follows forty days of Lenten preparation of fasting, penance and sacrifice.

The word Lent is derived from the Middle English word Lenten, which means springtime, or the time of lengthening days. For Catholics, Lent is a time to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays, and to fast on certain days, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means eating only one full meal each day. There is also the tradition of giving something up for Lent, like chocolate or some other favorite treat, which Catholics are taught as children. This type of sacrifice is a form of penance. Today many Catholics add a good behavior into their lives, such serving the community, rather than give something up.

We celebrate the Paschal Triduum, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, in anticipation of the glorious celebration on Easter Sunday. Holy Thursday Mass is a celebration of the Last Supper, during which Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service. It also emphasizes the importance of cleansing with water, a sign of Baptism. Good Friday is a day of fasting, mourning and prayer in memory of Jesus’ complete sacrifice as he was nailed to the cross. We pray the Stations of the Cross as we contemplate Jesus’ suffering. On Holy Saturday, we celebrate the Easter Vigil in the dark of evening, during which we must “stay dressed for action and keep our lamps full and burning” (Luke 12:35), in anticipation of Jesus’ glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.

After the Triduum, we are ready to celebrate the wondrous resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This holiest day of the liturgical calendar is full of joy and gladness. Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, according to John 1:29. Through his death, we are saved from sin and redeemed in the eyes of God.

Easter symbols include daffodils, eggs, lambs, baby chicks and bunny rabbits- all signs of new life. The Easter egg has an interesting tradition. People have been decorating eggs with bright colors for Easter for many years. The Easter egg symbolizes the resurrection. Just as a baby chick pecks its way out of the egg to be born, so Jesus exited the rock tomb to emerge into new and everlasting life.

Just as Jesus was resurrected into new life, you can enter into a new life of service to your neighbors in need, following Jesus’ example of humble service. Transforming lives is possible- for both the giver and the receiver. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

We Must Protect the Poor and Vulnerable

“Blessed are the poor, theirs is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20-23).

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. One of the most recent of the Ten Principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable, introduced by the Father Pedro Arrupe S.J., a Jesuit, in the late 20^th century. This principle highlights the importance of ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are cared for. The deprivation and powerlessness of the poor hurts all of society. In order for the common good of the community to prevail, we must put the needs of the poor first.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the meaning of this principle: “The Church’s love for the poor… is a part of her constant tradition. This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor… ‘Those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense and liberation.’”

The Church teaches us through the story of the last judgment that we will be judged by what we have or have not done to help the needy. We touch Jesus when we touch the poor and vulnerable. Jesus taught his followers that if they showed generosity to the poor, God would reward them in heaven.

These verses in the Gospel of Matthew explain: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ Then the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25 34:40).

It is our duty as part of the human community to give what we can to the least of our brothers and sisters, as Jesus referred to the poor and vulnerable. Join St. Vincent de Paul Society to serve your neighbor in need, either physically or emotionally. Whether it’s providing the essentials like shelter, food, clothing or transportation, or providing emotional support, act with compassion and love to give hope to the hopeless. When you help someone in need, you are helping Jesus, and God will reward you.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”