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Greetings!

 

Thank you to all the people who helped us match the anonymous donation of $6000.00. The young adults who will represent the United States at the International Vincentian Youth Gathering and  WYD appreciate your generosity.

You can still help form Vincentian leaders of the future by contributing to the Youth and Young Adult Fund found on the National website. 

 

 

St. Charles Borromeo Mini Vinnies

 

The St. Charles Borromeo Mini Vinnies were

Freez'n 4 A Reason on November 17th & 18th. To raise awareness and understanding of the plight of those facing the condition of homelessness, students spent the evening outside in a "Box City". Thirty-eight Mini Vinnies and their sponsors used cardboard boxes for protection from the cold.  

   

The students shared facts

on the condition of homelessness in St. Charles County, MO with the Borromeo Parish community.  

The Mini Vinnies (Youth St. Vincent de Paul) is a service oriented group made up of students in grades 6th-8th who attend St.Charles Borromeo School. 
The sole purpose of the group is to serve those in need within the community.
Mini Vinnies creates awareness among young students about issues that exist around them. It empowers middle school students to be compassionate while implementing simple, yet effective initiatives to assist those who are less fortunate.  
 
St. Charles Borromeo Mini Vinnies got the idea of "Freezin' 4 A Reason" from the Young Vincentians in Marinette, WI. 
 
St. Teresa's Young Vincentians Spell Service B-I-N-G-O
Liz Quinn 
Belleville Messenger Editor 

 

Bingo, a popular activity at area nursing homes, also appeals to some young people, especially Lindsey O'Dell, a young Vincentian and seventh-grader at St. Teresa School in Belleville.

Some of the 50-plus members of the group spent time after school with residents from St. Paul's Nursing Home, playing the game, helping residents check their cards or calling the numbers.

Other young Vincentians went to a Fairview Heights assisted living facility to do the same, Donna Klaus, eighth-grade teacher and one of the moderators of the group, said.

For the young people in fifth through eighth grades, the outings are a win-win situation for everyone. "They like people our age," seventh-grader, Callison Ames said. It's like being with their grandchildren.

Eighth-grader Alissa Donato said she joined the group as a fifth-grader because "it seemed cool to do service for others."

Adding on to that thought, her classmate, Jacob Safarian, said, "and you can hang out with your friends while you're doing it."

While Bingo is one of the recurring activities, it is not the only one. During the year, the group raises money to give to the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society and volunteers for a Mother's Day activity with an area day care.

Almost half of all of the school's fifth- through eighth-graders belong to the group, Klaus said.

And it requires commitment from young people who are busy with many other activities.

It isn't that difficult, Jacob said because the monthly meetings are held before school starts and the activities take place after school.
"You still have time to go home, do your homework and get back for sports practice in the evening," he said.
Klaus said being the moderator of this group isn't difficult, especially for a "type A personality."

She plans and sets up meetings and activities for the entire year, sometimes during the week when students are busy taking standardized tests, she said.

It's a way to be re-energized, Klaus said of the activities. "I may be tired getting there, but it makes you feel happy afterwards."   

 

 

If you are interesting in starting a Mini Vinnies Group in your school or parish, contact Sr. Christian Price at the National Office of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 314-415-1453 or visit the Youth Website at www.svdpusa.com/youth
 

 


WYD Participants

My name is Jerrod MacFarlane. I was born in Mount Sinai Hospital, in Baltimore, MD. After 4 years, my family moved to Landenberg, PA, just across the Delaware-Pennsylvania border. Shortly after this move, my family and I became members of St. Joseph's Church, a place I continue to call home to this day. It is at St. Joseph's that I first became involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and, more generally, began to develop my identity as a Catholic. Then, suddenly, my family was provided a new and intriguing opportunity. My dad had been offered a new position in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

 I am currently enrolled at Georgetown University, in pursuit of an education that understands the importance of translating learning into action outside the boundaries of a classroom. I have never been more aware of the role that my education and faith have played in shaping my actions and hope to continue this tradition at Georgetown and abroad.

 

 

 

My name is Katherine Alexander. I live in Granger, Indiana and currently attend St. Mary's College. During my seventh and eighth grade year, I was a member of Young Vincentians. I was President of the group during my eighth grade year. During these years as a Young Vincentian, I grew in the understanding of my faith. The last two years of high school, I became a member of the Vincentians in my parish, St. Anthony. I attended meetings and began to deliver food to those in need.

I was asked to be the Mideast Youth and Young Adult Representative of the Society in 2012.  I hosted the first "Friends of the Poor Walk" in St. Joseph County on St. Mary's campus.  It was a rewarding event. I look forward to participating in the International Vincentian Youth Gathering and WYD. I appreciate the generosity of the Mideast Region.



My name is Mary Kate Truss and I am one of six children. I am from Jacksonville, Florida and attend Bishop Kenny High School. Last year, in my junior year of high school, I was the President-elect of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the chapter at Bishop Kenny. Currently in my senior year, I serve as the President of the club. A love for service has been instilled in my family by my parents. This was first shown through my older brother Tom, who actively participated in the club. Now my brother Tim and I follow in his footsteps serving as officers of St. Vincent de Paul. Our club has over 150 members, and as a group, we participate in numerous service projects and events such as a pilgrimage to the 2013 March for Life in Washington D.C. Next fall, I plan to pursue a degree in nursing, following my passion of helping others.

I am so very grateful for this opportunity to travel to the International Vincentian Youth Gathering and World Youth Day. This once in a lifetime trip is an incredible blessing and I cannot thank enough everyone involved in making this pilgrimage possible! God Bless.