St. Vincent DePaul Society (Helping the Poor in our Community)
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international Catholic organization that serves those in need. Through its network of Parish Conferences, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helps people while leading its members to grow spiritually through service.
Our conference at St. John was established in 1993 assisting those in need in Carroll County. The St. John Westminster Conference meets regularly to provide for needs in a manner that promotes dignity and respect. There are no special qualifications other than the desire to join with others in helping those in need of the love of God. As a group we meet on the first Monday of each month at 10:30 in the Portico, September through June.
How do we serve?
Person to Person Service
Located in the Parish Center, the office is open two hours daily, Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.. Volunteers, known as Vincentians, meet with our neighbors who are requesting assistance with various financial needs and circumstances including evictions, medications, and utility shut offs. We also have a food pantry that is available to all during our business hours or by appointment.
Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen
Our Vincentians prepare and serve a nutritious lunch every Wednesday at The Church of the Ascension, 23 N. Court Street, Westminster. All are welcome!
Adopt-a-Family Program
For the Christmas season, through a partnership with the Salvation Army, our conference coordinates a gift distribution program. Names of individuals and families in need are gathered and “adopted” by our parishioners by selecting a card from the Giving Trees in the Church. Our parishioners provide toys, clothing, and food based on the needs of the “adoptee.”
All assistance we provide is funded by donations from our parishioners, either through the Poor Box, check, online giving or food for our pantry. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities or other ways of supporting the works of your St. Vincent de Paul Society conference, please contact Cathy Hoffman at 410-848-8693 or svdp@sjwest.org. Your involvement in this important mission is greatly appreciated. Please pray for the works of The St. Vincent de Paul Society and those we serve.
Health Care Ministry
A team of volunteers, coordinated by a St. John staff member. The mission of Health Care Ministry is to bring “Jesus” to those who are separated from the parish liturgical celebrations because of health issues. Visits are made weekly to Carroll Hospital Center, where we attempt to visit every Catholic patient. The homebound and residents of approximately 14 different care facilities are visited. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion share a time of prayer and bring the Eucharist to the person desiring to be visited. Requests for visits may be made by the individual or their family. Here are some of the wonderful things ministers are involved with:
- Health Care Ministers visit Catholic mothers of newborns in the Hospital Birthing Center, giving the gift of a Miraculous Medal for the infant.
- Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and bedside commodes are available for loan through Health Care Ministry.
- Health Care Ministers meet annually, discussing relative issues.
Our greatest need is to be blessed with more volunteers to join us in all we do in this growing parish.