Our Vincentian Family
Our family’s involvement with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul started about 12 years ago, when my husband, John, answered a call for Spanish-speaking volunteers for Holy Spirit’s SVdP conference. A few years later, Gloria Boyd, the conference president, reached out to me, and asked whether I would be interested in joining since she always saw my husband and me together at church functions. My husband and I did lots of things together, including teaching at the same schools, so helping those in need seemed to be a good mission to share.
After a year, I was asked by the new conference president to be vice president, and after another year, the president suddenly resigned, and I was now the conference president. I was a bit overwhelmed, but with the help of Terri, Paula, Gloria, and the other conference members, I agreed to accept the presidency. I believed that the Holy Spirit had a reason for putting me in this position. Four months later, I lost my husband after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. The prayers and friendships of the conference members helped me through this difficult time. My work as president and my new friendships have helped to fill the big void in my life. I joined to do service, but I developed spirituality and friendship at a critical time in my life.
When my husband was in the hospital, he asked that family and friends donate to the Society. So, every year around the anniversary of his death, I donate to the Society in his memory.
After John died, I was surprised to learn that our son, Stephen, wanted to become a Vincentian. I was unaware of the conversation which they had shared:
“When my dad was in the hospital, he asked that I find ways to help those in need however possible, whether by providing legal assistance, financial aid, or general support. I chose SVdP Holy Spirit because I cherished my years as a student at Holy Spirit elementary school (class of 1997) and felt a connection to the community, but most importantly to continue to assist neighbors as he and my mom did for many years. Given their commitment to the organization and parish, it was important to carry on their mission, vision, and values in the Holy Spirit conference.”
It is nice to have my son at my side at meetings and the Friends of the Poor Walk. I imagine my husband is smiling down on the two of us as we continue his mission to help those in need.
