Province News

Our work of serving the poor often seems like a small offering in the face of overwhelming need. But what might seem insignificant has the power of a seed, sown and cultivated, that explodes into new life and grows into something unimaginable. “The Father of the Poor scatters you throughout the world like seeds that sprout in arid land, like a balm of consolation for the wounded, like a fire of charity to warm so many hearts cooled by abandonment and hardened by rejection.” — Pope Francis to all who live the Vincentian charism on the occasion of the commemoration […]

Women in prison and in re-entry are among the most neglected members of our society – the very people Vincentians are called to serve. This past year, grants from the Walking with the Poor Ministry Fund have been awarded to help provide a mentoring program for women transitioning out of prison. With your support, this new
collaboration with the Center for
Spirituality at Work helps to respond
to the pressing needs of this
population by fostering the
development of decision-making and
life skills. Originally established by Fr.
Gary Mueller, C.M., Fr. Bob
Schwane, C.M., and Fr. Mark Pranaitis, C.M., this work has flourished under the leadership of Dr. […]

Your generosity directly impacts
the poor who come to the Rebuild Center at St. Joseph Parish in New Orleans. For nearly two decades, the Center has been a source of hope for many in the community, including Juston, whose life was changed by the care he received. Juston became
homeless at a
young age. He
never thought it
could happen to
him. He was
unemployed and
living on the
streets. Every day
was a struggle to
survive. On cold
nights, he would
drape a blanket
over his tent and
light candles for
warmth. He avoided homeless shelters, afraid that someone would steal his legal documentation or belongings. He was losing hope that he could turn his […]

“A land developer creates something from damn near nothing,” says Joe Kelley, business leader and longtime supporter of the Vincentians. “You look at a cornfield and say, ‘I can build a neighborhood here’ – it takes a unique kind of vision and leadership.” For many years, Joe has used his vision and leadership to advance Vincentian projects to serve the poor and address homelessness in St. Louis. Joe worked with Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M., to expand programs at the Guardian Angel Settlement, a social service organization serving more than 2,000 low-income children and families.
He also is an active supporter and […]

For the people of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis, service to the poor and vulnerable is not just a line in their mission statement – it is a way of life. For more than 175 years, the parish community has had a strong, dynamic presence in South St. Louis City, extending Christ’s mercy to people in need. “Our door is always open,” explains Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M., pastor. “We feed people every single day. If you are hungry or homeless, we are here to care for you – regardless of your circumstances. Our job is not to […]

On Valentine’s Day, a group of 18 Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, four staff and a handful of community supporters gathered in prayer before embarking on our profound journey. We sang together, “We are on holy ground,” and began our pilgrimage to El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. We prepared to go where Vincent commissioned us to go – out to the margins. After a 12-hour overnight bus ride, we reached our destination. Over the course of several days, we experienced immigration proceedings at a courthouse, heard a presentation from an advocacy agency providing legal aid, ate homemade tamales and listened to […]

Your support of the Walking with the Poor campaign provides grants to help young people understand the history and charism of the Vincentians. The internship program at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX, is one example of your generosity at work. The program provides college students opportunities to either serve at Vincentian parish or minister to immigrant families at a local bus station. Click below to watch a brief video about this important ministry. Thank you for your support!

At a recent event in Denver, more than 150 members of the Vincentian Family gathered to discuss the Catholic social teachings regarding immigration issues in
the United States. Participants were committed to coming away with
 a shared vision and collective response to the challenges many immigrants face in their journeys. The theme for the event was Challenging Voices. Healing Voices. How Can We Be Silent? Participants were encouraged to meet people from various branches of the Vincentian Family, to learn from one another and hear different perspectives. Fr. Guillermo Campuzano, C.M., 
the delegate from the Congregation
of the Mission to the United […]

Fr. Henry Grodecki, C.M., has joined the international missions as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage, AK. He recently was recognized for his pastoral leadership and commitment to the local immigrant population. The Catholic Anchor, the local diocesan publication, featured an article about him. Read the article here.

Catholic Home Study, an evangelization ministry of the Western Province, is always pursuing new ways of spreading the Gospel in the digital age. In addition to Catholic faith formation resources available free on their website, the ministry recently launched a new prayer app and podcast. “We are looking for transformational ways to reach out to younger people and invite them to embrace and live their faith,” explains Fr. Ron Hoye, C.M., Director of Catholic Home Study. “I teach people that the more time you give to God, the more God expands in your life.” The new app, God Moments, is […]