LINCOLN (SNR) – The local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln recently marked the 20th anniversary of its founding.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederick Ozanam, in imitation of St. Vincent de Paul. The international organization is comprised of lay persons – known as “Vincentians” – whose objectives involve them in social and charitable work through service to the poor. Membership is open to anyone wishing to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbor. The group exists to serve those in need with compassion, dignity, and generosity, while improving the spirituality of its members and developing friendships among them and those they serve.
The Society’s charitable services are administered through a network of parish volunteer groups called “conferences.” Their ministry, through person-to-person contact, encompasses every form of aid that alleviates suffering and promotes the dignity and integrity of mankind. It serves everyone regardless of creed, opinion, color or origin.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was started in the Diocese of Lincoln in June 6, 1988, where the first conference was instituted at St. Mary Parish in Lincoln. Don Dunlap and Pete Reyes were early members of that first conference and remained involved in the society after transferring to the newly-formed North American Martyrs Parish in 1993. North American Martyrs Parish was established with 600 families in northwest Lincoln, mostly former members of St. Mary Parish in downtown Lincoln.
Dunlap was encouraged by the St. Mary Conference to start a conference at North American Martyrs, which he did with the permission of the pastor. The St. John de Brebeuf Conference of North American Martyrs, Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) was instituted June 12, 2002. There were 15 members at the beginning. Don and Nancy Dunlap, Pete Reyes and Mary Anne Classen, charter members, are still members today.
In the city of Lincoln, Vincentian volunteers answer calls for aid that come in through the Society’s Help Line at 402-435-7968. Sandra Tondreau, a member of North American Martyrs Parish, serves the city-wide St. Vincent de Paul Council as the call manager.
“Two days a month, we are assigned calls from the help line,” Mary Anne Classen explained. “Teams of two meet those in need in their homes or their place of shelter. We listen to, pray with and offer assistance for their immediate need.”
Needs Vincentians often help address include emergency food or shelter, household items, utility assistance, medical or prescription needs. A home visit team from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can assist clients in planning a simple financial budget.
“If you are in need or know someone who could benefit from our services, please encourage them to contact us,” Classen urged.
Member Ken Kalisek said he witnesses “the care, compassion and ‘the want to serve’ the needy in our community from the other members in our conference. They truly have a heart to help those who we are asked to serve, less fortunate.”
Those they serve, he added, are non-judgmental and grateful the team has taken the time to visit with them about their needs.
Classen agreed.
“Those we serve are grateful and humble,” she said. “We truly are serving Jesus when we serve them. It amazes me how they survive often day to day, with limited resources so they are dependent on the kindness of others. Most of those I come into contact with are doing their best to make it on their own. They have experienced hardships that most of us never will have.”
Phyllis Kool said being a Vincentian “is a direct way of serving the people of Lincoln in God’s way.”
“I have learned so much about the people of Lincoln,” she said. “I have assisted calls for rent, utilities, related car expenses, food, medical expenses.... I never realized there was so much need all throughout the city.” But she added it is “gratifying to see God‘s work in action.”
If someone is interested in getting involved, “or who is even maybe interested,” Kool said, she encourages them to contact their parish, as most parishes in Lincoln have a SVDP conference.
“All of our work is done in pairs,” she reiterated, “and new members are teamed up with experienced members. It does not take any past experience, just a good listening ear and a willingness to help.
“We could help so many more people if we just would have more members,” she continued. “Right now we are able to help only about one-third of the calls that come in to our call center. We just do not have enough teams to cover.
“A close personal bond is also formed with your fellow Vincentians, which draws you closer to Christ,” she added.
The work of the conference is primarily supported with funds from parishioners.
Current active members at North American Martyrs are Don Dunlap, Jane and Elmer Wemhoff, Angela Bailey-Vogel, Kathy Walters, Sandra Tondreau, Bob Pacula, Phyllis Kool, John Verzal, Ken Kalisek and Mary Anne Classen. Associate members are Martin Pella, Nancy Dunlap, Rose Owen and Pete Reyes.
For more information about Vincentians, the website for the Lincoln Council of St. Vincent DePaul is lincolnsvdpcouncil.org. To make a donation or schedule a donation pick-up, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
