St. Vincent de Paul Celebrates 150 Years

There were many moments of joy, as well as tears, as we spent a day in the studio to record stories from leaders and volunteers for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Southwest. Some of them have been in that service just a short time, while others have spent most of their working life in service to the poor. The occasion is the celebration of the organization’s 150^th anniversary, a year that is filled with events, celebration, reflection, gratitude and looking forward.

One volunteer talked about how, when she first started volunteering, she was challenged by a parishioner who said, “Don’t those people get enough assistance as it is? You are just enabling them by doing what you are doing.” The volunteer admitted that the comments made her think, but she knew it was not her place to judge or to put an additional burden on people who were already suffering. “We are here to serve the community, the poor. We aren’t here to judge,” she said. “We may be the only “Jesus” in their lives. We are there to show them love and compassion.”

Indeed, others talked about the privilege of serving the poor, and how rather than being frustrated that there is no end to poverty, they have come to realize what a blessing it is to be able to serve. “We serve a lot of survivors of domestic violence,” Devon Maddox, family and community housing manager, said. “And so we find it extremely important that people are given that permission to take back the control of their lives that was removed from them. They trust us to open up their heart and share their secret selves with us, in a way that makes you want to do even more.”

“It’s selfless. It’s sacrificing. It’s service,” said Eric Cooper, executive director of the San Antonio Food Bank, which works closely with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “It’s doing what the Lord would do if he were here.” “We have that privilege of stepping in to be that mediator who steps in when everything else is going wrong, to steady that household, to bring a calm. And that really is the piece that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is all about.”

“It’s worthwhile. It gives your life meaning,” said Mary (Peggy) Armstrong, who was executive director of the organization for 16 years, beginning in 1988. “It’s a wonderful thing to do. Happy birthday. 150 years is a long time. I love you all.”

Other speakers included Ray DuPont, regional vice president, and Molly Biglari, executive director of Haven for Hope, and other volunteers and staff members who gave their heartfelt testimonials and blessings for the continuing ministry. With such great material recorded, the Bauhaus crew is now crafting together a 150^th Anniversary video to be shown at the gala and celebration October 29 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.