Society of St. Vincent de Paul
NEED ASSISTANCE? CALL (763) 634-1740 AND
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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, and to offer person-to-person service to those who are in need and suffering, in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic 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.
With the leadership and support of Fr. Mark Innocenti and Bishop Patrick Neary, Saint Andrew Parish has its own Conference officially established on July 11, 2023. The Conference is part of the larger St. Paul/Minneapolis Diocesan Council and this staff was instrumental in helping us to get established. The reason we are part of the Archdiocesan Council is because there is no Council in the St. Cloud Diocese as we are the first parish to establish a conference.
Box City Event - September 27/28
Please consider helping increase awareness of the homelessness issue here and now in Elk River. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Andrew Elk River Conference, and the youth of our parish are hosting a Box City fundraiser on September 27, which asks participants to spend a night sleeping outside in a tent or cardboard box to raise funds to support the homeless, to financially support our mission of providing emergency assistance to help area residents in need, and to increase awareness about the issue of homelessness. Our Conference gives 100% of donations to those in need in the Elk River area. Please consider signing up to sleep in a tent/box the night of September 27. The cost is free but we ask all participants to solicit pledges from individuals and businesses who would like to donate for this worthy cause.
Come and join us for some fun! Spend the night with us enjoying pizza, listening to a short presentation by a Salvation Army representative, playing games, and sleeping in a tent or cardboard box. A continental breakfast is also provided Sunday morning. Prizes will be awarded to the person acquiring the most donations, having the most unique tent/box, and one for the best decorated tent/box . The deadline for signing up is Sept 22. Contact Deacon Kent Yoder at 763-441-1483 for questions.
Who: St. Vincent de Paul Conference
What: Box City Fundraiser
When: Starting at 4 PM, September 27; Ending at 7 AM, September 28
Where: Food and Games in the cafeteria and school gym.
Box City on Saint Andrew soccer field east of church
Why: Promote awareness of homelessness in the Elk River area
To register for the event, visit this link to our Box City Online Registration.
To donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Andrew, Elk River Conference, visit the parish outreach online giving link and look for St. Vincent de Paul in the drop down menu.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
VOLUNTEER
First and foremost, we need more Vincentians—men and women trained to conduct home visits with neighbors in need, advocate for their needs, and communicate and pray with them. We also need associate members who can help with specific needs and projects.
DONATE
To make a monetary donation to support our mission, leave a clearly marked donation envelope at the parish office or in the collection basket at Mass. You can also donate online!