Join us this weekend for a 3-Day Donation Drive at St. Mary, 1012 Lake Street in Evanston.
Please remember to donate with dignity gently used items.
To see upcoming Donation Drives please visit our website at https://stvincentdepaulchicago.org/donation-events/
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Conference held a Spring Tote event on May 14 in which we provided the homeless in the area of the Jefferson Park Terminal tote bags that contain clothing and toiletries that are needed in the spring and summer.
It was a wonderful event with Vincentians connecting with our brothers and sisters who suffer from a lack of housing. In addition, Ron Polanecki of Chicago Shares awarded our conference with a grant of $2,000 to continue our works in the Jefferson Park area.
Food was provided by the CaddyShack Restaurant that is owned by the famous Chicago actor Bill Murray and his brothers. God is good!
We would like to thank Michael Avella and the Murray Bros CaddyShack restaurant for donating delicious sandwiches. Thank you to Andrea DeVince, Toni Coletti, Maria Winter and June Fredlund for dessert. We were also able to provide fruits, cold water and distribute Spring Totes which contained essential items such as t-shirts, underwear and toiletries needed this time of the year.
Thanks to our Vincentians for being there and providing company to our Friends in need: Dave McNaughton, Maria Winter, Mark Stemper, Deacon Greg, Monica Dillon, Len Strauch, Linda Zdebski, Joe and Delia O’Connor, Andrea DeVince.
Most of all thanks to all our benefactors who believe in the work that we do. Thanks to you we are able to make events like these happen.
God certainly blessed us with wonderful weather and wonderful Friends!!
| You may have seen on the local news, that on May 30, 2022, a fire broke out around 7:00 pm on the second floor of a 312-unit condo complex in Calumet City. This fatal fire left 150 families homeless. Winds drove the flames all the way up to the seventh floor. The fire killed an 85-year-old woman and seven others were injured, including three firefighters. On May 31, Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones had an emergency City Council meeting and a citywide State of Emergency was approved. This local state of emergency allows the Mayor to access resources from other governmental agencies to help the nearly 200 residents who were left displaced. Most of them Seniors. This is where SVdP Chicago comes in. On Saturday, June 4, SVdP Chicago received a call and we will be partnering with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and others to help these residents in any way we can.On Tuesday, June 7, SVdP Chicago had staffed a table at the Sandbridge Community Center to assist those with immediate needs such as clothes, undergarments, shoes, socks, etc. We had some supplies on hand and input information into our Care Card Voucher Program so that in the future should they need something, we will be able to assist them without any hesitation. During this event, we assisted 143 Friends In Need. We are fortunate that we have the capabilities to support others during this difficult time and in the future with their needs to start over in a new home. Please keep all those who have died, been injured, or displaced from this horrible fire in your thoughts and prayers. |
There are several Donation Drives scheduled this weekend at:
St. Francis of Assisi – 15050 S Wolf Road – Orland Park
St. Monica – 5136 N Nottingham – Chicago
St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Barbara – 2859 S Throop – Chicago
St. Thomas the Apostle – 5472 S Kimbark Avenue – Chicago
Prince of Peace – 135 S Milwaukee Avenue – Chicago
Please remember to donate with dignity gently used items. To see upcoming Donation Drives please visit our website at https://stvincentdepaulchicago.org/donation-events/
Earlier this week our St. Vincent de Paul Libertyville Thrift Store received a surprise donation from Bristyn and Daisy, Ages 10 and 6. These young ladies donated handmade keychain charms.
Unfortunately, they did not provide any contact information so that we could thank them personally, but we want them to know how much we appreciate their donation to the Society and what beautiful charms and gesture this was.
Thank you Bristyn and Daisy. Have a great summer break from your friends at St. Vincent de Paul.
This weekend’s Donation Drive is at St. Renee Goupil, 6949 W 63rd Place, Chicago. Please remember to donate with dignity gently used items. To see upcoming Donation Drives please visit our website at https://stvincentdepaulchicago.org/donation-events/
Good Evening Vincentians,
As we are sitting around the kitchen table this evening or maybe sitting out on the back porch enjoying listening to the children playing outside, I can’t help but think of the tragedy that unfolded today in Uvalde, Texas at Robb Elementary School.
This evening, there are 14 children ranging from 2nd through 4th grade who won’t be having dinner with their families, or doing their homework, or playing in their back yards. There is a teacher who will also not be going home to her loved ones. For all these families our hearts are broken.
We never know when it will be our time, but as adults, we know that it’s not natural for our children to leave this earth before us. We believe that when we drop our children off at school that they are in a safe place. We believe that those who are there teaching our children are loving them as much as we do as parents. This morning, those 14 families dropped their children off at school. They were looking forward to seeing their little ones after school to hear about what they learned today, who they played with at recess and any other exciting imaginative story their child would tell them on the ride home. Sadly, those 14 families will never hear those stories again.
We know that there was a teacher who loved her profession and would have done anything to help her class succeed. That teacher would be the ear to listen. That teacher would be their friend when they needed someone to talk to. That teacher was there for them. Every. Single Day. Now, that teacher is gone.
As a parent, how do you explain to your children what happened to their friends or their teacher today? How do you explain to a terrified child that when they go back to school in the fall things will be ok. How? It is hard for any of us who are parents to even comprehend what these families are going through this evening.
God has a plan and none of us know what that plan is. Right now, today, at the dinner table, before we go to bed, when we wake up tomorrow morning, we need to say a prayer. A prayer of thanks. A prayer for all those who left this earth. A prayer for comfort for these families so that they will be able to move forward after this tragic day. A prayer for love. A prayer for peace.
Whether your children are still living at home, or maybe they’re on their own, or maybe you have grandchildren, nieces, nephews … hug them a little tighter. Please keep all those involved in today’s horrific shooting in Texas in your thoughts and prayers. May they Rest in Peace.
God Bless,
Harry Ohde, Volunteer President CEO – Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago-ADC
The IJP Conference hosted a drive for home goods and clothing on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 8 am to 1 pm. The effort drew people from across the South Suburbs as it filled the SVDP trailer to the brim.Â
Father Kris Paluch, the soon to be pastor of the new parish of Infant Jesus of Prague, St. Ireneaus, and St. Lawrence O’Toole stopped to meet Conference members.Â
The drive offered the opportunity for Conference members to gather in-person for friendship and service.
Pictured above from left to right are Mike Hoffman, Karen Kristofik, Mike Lamb, soon to be Pastor – Fr. Kris Paluch, Brenda Wallace, Leslie Dudley, Denise Mandichak, Bernie Hoffman, and Pam Bartusiewicz.
There are several Donation Drives this weekend, May 14 & 15, at St. Pascal, 3935 N Melvina, Chicago; Sts. Joseph & Francis Xavier, 1747 Lake Street, Wilmette; and Queen of Angels, 4520 N Western Avenue, Chicago. Please remember to donate with dignity gently used items. To see upcoming Donation Drives please visit our website at https://stvincentdepaulchicago.org/donation-events/
Moms are the heart of the home. They are the tender ever giving presence to their children. Their tenderness is matched by their strength. A mother gives birth and immediately tends to the tiny life that has just brightened the world. Giving every moment to care for their infant. Giving every ounce of energy for the benefit of the life she has brought into the world.
On this Mother’s Day, let us be grateful for intimate balance of tenderness and strength our mothers put forth to raise us. Whether they have birthed us, or took on the title of mom to someone who needed a mom, a mother’s love is unending, and unconditional.
Mother’s hold in their hearts a very special love for their child that never ends, it just grows. They feel the joy of the milestones and achievements. They ache with sadness ten fold when their child is hurt or disappointed.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a role model for all mothers. Many moms try to live up to the standard that Mary presented to us in raising Jesus. We must remember that moms come in all varieties, have different styles of mothering, and hold strengths and weaknesses in different areas. God knew what he was doing when he made us all different. The uniqueness of every mother allows for children to grow and be nurtured to be the best version of them.
On this Mother’s Day let us remember our mothers, let us be grateful for the gift of life they gave us. As adults, let us know them as people and appreciate the individualism they provide.
The strength of a mother is the beating heart of the home. Their love allows us as their children to grow and to have someone to always count on during our life.
Let us celebrate the mere fact that no matter what life holds for any of us, there’s always that person to go to we call mom. And when our mom’s have journeyed to heaven, hold close in your heart that she made you and you will endure because her love is ever lasting.
God Bless,
Harry Ohde, Volunteer President/CEO
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago-ADC
