 Frederic Ozanam, Principal Founder of the SVDP 1813-1853 |
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Diocese of Cleveland |
 St. Vincent de Paul, Model for the SVDP 1580-1660 |
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SVDP Collection for Haiti UPDATE: February 23, 2010 Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters, In the aftermath of the earthquakes and aftershocks, as we continue our efforts to help Haiti your continuous support is needed. We are fortunate that in our organization, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has so many good-hearted, well-intended folks who want to help – to respond – whenever there is a tragedy or a disaster; and Haiti’s tragedy is no exception. The stories and images that have reached us from Haiti make it clear that our donations and prayers will be needed on an on-going basis as Haiti struggles with the after-effects of the earthquake. Let us keep the entire population of Haiti in our prayers as they grieve their losses and rebuild their country. An important part of disaster response is leadership. This is where the Society’s role will become most important. We simply cannot ignore the brokenness in people. As the Haitian nation and others begin to rebuild Port-au-Prince, it’s critical that trained personnel and money are provided. Many of you have been following the CGI news updates on Haiti and as part of the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent and St. Louise, the International Leaders of the Vincentian Family have decided to launch a micro-credit website project in Haiti on April 1st, in partnership with Fonkoze, the largest micro-credit agency in Haiti. Updates will be provided as received from our International Leaders. The Daughters of Charity and SVdP Council General International are jointly collaborating to provide relief assistance to the disaster victims and International Vice President Eduardo Marques Almeida, who is based in Haiti, will act as the liaison person between these two Vincentian groups. This joint effort will also involve the participation of the Haiti SVdP National Council where five members died in the disaster according to Elisme Lesley, Haiti SVdP National President. The main thrust of the Society’s assistance will be to focus on the rehabilitation phase in reconstruction and to assist in rebuilding the Haitian people’s lives. When the major international countries and aid agencies leave Haiti, the enormous and challenging tasks to provide continuous help to re-settle their lives will be our primary focus. Now, new fears loom about the oncoming rainy season and the critical needs for emergency shelter and sanitation. Nevertheless, we are making strides daily and will continue to keep our Vincentian Family updated as news is received. It is extremely important that all conferences and councils refrain from contributing in unauthorized Non-Vincentian ways to Haiti Relief efforts. “One family across the country and around the world, living Frederic’s vision” Thanks and God Bless, Roger Playwin National Executive Director National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul
UPDATE: February 1, 2010
Below is an e-mail from a member of St. Hilary, Fairlawn. Their SVDP group
established a twin last year.
Father Leveque, Vicar for Education Diocese of Hinche, Haiti and Pastor of Ste. Ann's parish in Maissade, Haiti established The Society of St. Vincent de Paul/Conference of St. Ann' in the spring of 2009.
His parish and school are approximately 80 miles from Port-Au-Prince and did
not suffer any damages or injuries, however he is inundated with families from
Port-Au-Prince and desperately needs our help.
Father e-emailed me January 21, 2010. To quote him. "I ask you to bring
Maissade in your prayers. Many families who escaped from the disaster in
Port-Au-prince come to Maissade without anything. They knock at my door I
can't afford them even the minimum they ask for."
UPDATE: January 26, 2010 Dear Brother and Sister Vincentians, As you know, Haiti suffered a series of catastrophic earthquakes and aftershocks that have changed that country forever. The loss of life and injuries has affected every person in that country. Whole families have been lost. The Archbishop and a large number of religious have lost their lives. The Society has a presence on the island in the form of a National Council in Port au Prince, four District Councils (two in the South and two in the North) and over 25 Conferences. This country was the poorest in our hemisphere prior to the earthquakes. We have heard that the National is okay; we are still waiting word on the others. We began within hours to raise funds for the Haiti Relief effort. As you know we are not first-responders. The number of first-responders there at present is extreme. The conditions on the ground are also extreme. Eduardo Marques Almeida, the International Vice President for the North Equatorial Zone who is responsible for Haiti was in Port au Prince when the first earthquake hit. We have confirmed that he is okay. He works for the World Bank in Haiti and we know that he is working on the ground to move the relief effort forward. The infrastructure involving roads, transportation, communication, medical, water and sanitation are destroyed. People are moving out of Port au Prince into the countryside. Neither location is equipped to deal effectively with this. The National Board, at the meeting in St. Louis this past weekend, discussed exploring with the International Council General of the Society the need to focus on critical Systemic Change Projects as we go forward to insure that life will really be improved for those in need after the first-responders have gone home. At this point your prayers and your contributions, both individually and as Conferences and Councils are what is needed now. We will keep you updated as new and important news is made available. Thanks and God Bless, Roger Playwin, National Executive Director ------------ January 13, 2010 The National SVDP Council has initiated a collection to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Below is the press release issued by Joseph Flannigan. Donations can be sent directly to the SVDP in St. Louis, MO at the address below. ST LOUIS, Mo./EWORLDWIRE/Jan. 13, 2010 --- National President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA Joseph D. Flannigan has issued a call to the 120,000 volunteer members of the Society in the United States, as well as to the general public, to help provide assistance for the victims of the terrible Haiti Earthquake. Flannigan said, "The people of Haiti are suffering with mass devastation. Our sister and brother Vincentian volunteers in Haiti will need our help in what will be an enormous and long term recovery. I ask for your prayers and financial support for the poor of Haiti." The Society of St Vincent de Paul has a permanent presence in Haiti. Flannigan went on to explain. "Our Society of St. Vincent de Paul volunteers - who we call, 'Vincentians,' are at the scene of disasters long after many other service organizations have left. Our Society volunteers live and work in, and are primarily native to, the communities in which they serve. In the aftermath of natural disasters, this permanent presence is particularly important. Our volunteers already know and understand the people who are suffering. Using Hurricane Katrina as an example, several of our Society units - called, 'Conferences and Councils,' are still working with the many people of the Gulf Coast still impacted by the tragedy of Katrina." "The Society of St Vincent de Paul makes no distinctions in service to the victims of disaster. We address their needs, whatever they may be, and we keep on addressing them," added Roger Playwin, national executive director of the Society of St Vincent de Paul USA, headquartered in St Louis, Mo. Contributions for Haiti Disaster Relief and Recovery can be made via the Society's national Web site at SVDPUSA.org ('http://www.svdpusa.org'), or mailed to: Haiti Earthquake |
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SVDP Central Office Phone: 216-696-6525, ext. 3150(1-800-869-6525, ext. 3150); FAX: 216-861-3200 e-mail webmaster: larry-svdp@att.net
Last Updated: Saturday July 31, 2010 |
