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Dear Vincentians and Friends,

Christmas. For many of us, the preparation for this joyous event begins the day after Thanksgiving. We run to the stores to buy piles of gifts for those we love. We spend hours searching for the perfect gift, wrapping it in colorful paper, all to see our loved ones smile on Christmas morning because we demonstrated how much we love them with our choice of gifts.

The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas are overflowing with Christmas parties with friends, family, and co-workers; Christmas card writing; baking platters of Christmas cookies; decorating our homes with all our treasured memories from Christmases past; and for us Vincentians, trying to make sure every family that comes to us will have enough food to eat, gifts to share and a warm home to celebrate our Lord’s birthday.

But, year after year is all this holiday busyness disrupting our inner silence and unbalancing our Spiritual peace? How can we grow in God’s love if we are not spending quiet time with Him as we await His arrival? This is the gift of Advent, taking time to grow in our relationship with God as we wait for His arrival. Just like Jesus, we should spend time away from the hustle and bustle that the Advent season has become. “In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

So, during Advent season, I hope you found your way to God’s heart through silent prayer, felt His mighty love, and rested in the warmest place to celebrate the most perfect gift ever received: the birth of our Lord. Now that was a demonstration of love to make you smile.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Harry Ohde

Pictured from L to R: SVdP Volunteers Dan Moore, Tom Lazuka, June Fidanza, Mike Fischer and Elizabeth Wakefield. Photo credit: HF Chronicle

With the holiday season in full swing, many people have been generously donating coats, winter clothing, toys and so much more for those in need.

On November 19, Elizabeth Wakefield, SVdP Board Member, was the Project Coordinator of a Turkey Dinner giveaway, which was the first project for the group of combined parishes – St. Emeric, St. Anne and St. Joseph. These three parishes have now formed to become St. John Neumann. At this event larger families received turkey dinners and turkey breasts with gift cards to purchase the trimmings for smaller families. This event had 45 families sign up to receive dinners and would feed a total of 129 people. The food for this event was donated by the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization.

At present, SVdP’s regular food pantry was on hold because of the parish transition, but she hopes it will resume at St. John Neuman at some point.

Elizabeth was happy to report that many coats and Christmas stockings have been donated at both the St. Anne and St. Emeric food pantries to help those in need as the weather gets colder and we get closer to the holidays. Money received from St. Joe’s has been going to purchase gift cards for needy families.

Great job Elizabeth and thank you to all the SVdP volunteers involved in this community project to help our Friends in Need.

Click below to get the lastest happenings at St. Vincent de Paul Chicago:

December 2023 e-Newsletter

For the first time, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is excited to be included in Forbes Magazine’s list of “America’s Top 100 Charities”. The Society has also received high marks for charitable commitment (89%) and fundraising efficiency (95%).

This recognition reflects on the daily work our Vincentians do serving our Friends in Need. It also recognizes the generosity of those who support us.

Thank you to all who are part of SVdP whether you are an employee or volunteer and to those who donate, whether it be monetarily or assistance with food, clothing and basic necessities. It’s the culmination of all of us that we were able to achieve this recognition.

Click on link below to read the full article:

https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-charities/?sh=2ad191655f50

Dear Vincentians and Friends,

On this Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, many of Her followers have believed since they were young that they can have health and experience her miracles through prayer. Besides health, many pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe for gratitude and appreciation for all She has done for them. Some come to pray in remembrance of their loved ones who are no longer with them.

Whatever your reason may be, please take a minute today to pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe for health, a miracle, gratitude, appreciation, a loved one … She is listening.

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deepfelt confidence to beg this favor…. O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Queridos Vicencianos y Amigos,

En esta Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, muchos de Sus seguidores han creído desde pequeños que pueden tener salud y experimentar sus milagros a través de la oración. Además de la salud, muchos rezan a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe pidiéndole gratitud y aprecio por todo lo que ha hecho por ellos. Algunos vienen a rezar en memoria de sus seres queridos que ya no están con ellos.

Cualquiera que sea su motivo, tómese un minuto hoy para orar a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe por salud, un milagro, gratitud, aprecio, un ser querido… Ella está escuchando.

Querida Señora de Guadalupe, Madre fecunda de Santidad, enséñame tus caminos de dulzura y fortaleza. Escucha mi oración ofrecida con profunda confianza para suplicar este favor…. Oh María, sin pecado concebida, vengo a tu trono de gracia para compartir la ferviente devoción de tus fieles hijos mexicanos que invocan a ti bajo el glorioso título azteca de “Guadalupe” a la virgen que aplastó a la serpiente. Reina de los Mártires, cuyo Corazón Inmaculado fue traspasado por siete llagas de dolor, ayúdame a caminar valientemente entre las afiladas espinas que me cruzan el camino. Reina de los Apóstoles ayúdame a ganar almas para el Sagrado Corazón de mi Salvador. Te lo ruego por los méritos de tu Hijo misericordioso, Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Amén.

Earlier this month, Jax Valenti, a Senior at Marist High School in Chicago and son of Danielle Valenti, SVdP Chicago Central Office Staff, helped advocate with encouragement from his math teacher, Mr. Owen Glennon, to have a Nativity Scene displayed at the school. Mr. Glennon has been employed at Marist for over 40 years and felt it was important for the school to display the Holy Family.

Jax was more than excited to be a part of this project and had reached out to staff and faculty to see if Marist had a Nativity scene or not. If not, Jax knew his family would be more than willing to assist with this project. After confirmation was received by the Marist faculty that a Nativity Scene or Holy Family was not available at the school, Jax got to work right away.

Jax asked his dad, John, for a hand and they built the shelter, ordered a plaque, and set up this beautiful display with the Holy Family being donated by a special Vincentian from the Chicago Council. A plaque was prominently displayed next to the Nativity scene in honor of Mr. Owen Glennon.

The Valenti family also participates in the SVdP Scare, Care, Share Winter Clothing Drive on Halloween and the SVdP Annual Toy Drive which is currently going on at 6108 Washington Street in Chicago Ridge. The Valenti’s invite you to stop on by to see their beautifully decorated home and drop off a toy as well for our Friends in Need!

Thank you Jax and Valenti family for all that you do.

Pictured Left to Right: Jax (Marist Class of 2024), Danielle (SVdP Chicago Central Office); Gianna and John Valenti.

Dear Vincentians and Friends, Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago has been instrumental in helping our Friends in Need who are struggling to stay out of poverty and to the migrants, that we can provide them with the basic necessities to survive during this time of uncertainty for many of them. No matter what your reason for giving to the Society, we want you to know that we appreciate it and are humbled that you considered our organization on #GivingTuesday! We do not take it for granted that our work would not be possible without supporters like you. Your giving spirit empowers us to impact the lives of our Friends in Need throughout Cook and Lake Counties. Your donations have helped us to provide clothing, basic necessities, furniture, mattresses, rental and utility assistance, funeral assistance and so much more this past year to those struggling to stay out of poverty and will continue to help us in 2024 and years to come. Once again, we are sincerely grateful for your continued support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. God Bless, Harry Ohde – Volunteer CEO/President, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago ADC

Catch up on the latest news from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago by clicking on the link below:

November 2023 SVdP E-Newsletter

Our Ebay store is full of unique finds, vintage items, and more! Shop Black Friday Sale Nov. 24th – Nov. 26th and save 25% off all store items. Cyber Monday Sale starts Nov. 27th and ends Nov. 28th. Save 35% for Cyber Monday! Take 50% off 1 item through Nov. 28th with code HALFOFF1ITEM

Discover the perfect new-to-you find this Thanksgiving holiday weekend! Sales start Black Friday and run all weekend long at SVDP Libertyville and Orland Park Thrift Stores.