November 2015 Our Lady of Charity Lancaster/Quartz Hill Conference THE VINCENTIAN TRUMPET

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1 November 2015 Our Lady of Charity Lancaster/Quartz Hill Conference THE VINCENTIAN TRUMPET Trevor Site 1, Suite B Trevor Site Trevor Site 3

2 WHO WE ARE For those of you who do not know us, we are Vincentians. Our founder pictured here, is Blessed Frederic Ozanam. In the spring of 1833, Frederic found himself challenged by fellow students to show us your good works today. Frederic was deeply troubled by this challenge because he realized that it was true, people always talk about doing good for others but rarely do anything about it. Frederic promptly set out with some friends to change the way things were. They located a simple charity run by Sister Rosalie and began their new mission by taking bread tickets to the poor. A local baker would redeem them for a loaf of bread. Later that same year, they started their own charity, naming it after St. Vincent de Paul. Who are we? We are your neighbors, your friends, your fellow workers, your priests. We are Christians who love to aid the poor in many different ways. And, yes, we still do things the old-fashioned way, just as Frederic and his friends did it over 180 years ago. We still take food to the poor families in need. We also comfort and care for the poor homeless who gather at our door, serving them a hot meal and giving them clean underwear, coffee, and a shoulder to cry on. Before they eat, we start our day with a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. If you d like to help us in some way, come and join in. If you can t, you can still be a Vincentian at heart just by sending us a check so that we can continue to do our Lord s work. A few people have even given us their cars. Not one of us receives even a penny. Officers President Don Willey Chairman of the Board Joyce Willey Vice President Kathy Clark Recording Secretary Teresa Matay Spiritual Advisor Teresa Matay Treasurer Cathy Cristos Corresponding Secretary and Thank You Susan Ortega Chairpersons Quarterly Mass Rep Dan Rejniak Garage Sales Tish Fox (Morris) Food Pantry Johnny Marchany Boutique Kathy Clark Newsletter Editor Michelle George Fr. Serra Rep. Susan Ortega Detention Ministry Don Willey Charley Shea Haircuts Diane Jones Greeter Alice Rodemeyer 2

3 November 2015 Calendar and other St. Vincent de Paul Events SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Soo Faculty/ Women of Grace Miriam Sisters Don M OPEN Sue/Mac Janet Jose/ Yard Sale OPEN Kathy C. 19 Fr. Serra Latinos/ Thanksgiving Giveaway Site K of C 3 rd Degree Johnny THANKS- GIVING Holy Cross K of C 3 rd Degree If you pray, you will have faith. And if you have faith, you will love. And if you love, you will serve. And if you serve, you will have peace. St. Mother Teresa NOTE: If you have any questions or would like to prepare a meal for the homeless, please check the calendar for open days and call the Center at (661) on M-W-Th-Sat from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Our mailing address is PO BOX 412, Lancaster

4 From Our Pastor On the 2 nd weekend of October I watched the Ironman World Championship, live stream on my computer. It caused me to remember fondly my experience at that event in 2012 (3 years ago). Speaking recently with our Pastoral Intern, I mentioned that I learned many faith lessons from the Ironman and the lessons learned are because I chose to do those events. Ironman distance is challenging, and it stretches anyone who has ever tried it. I, like most people, don t really like to be stretched, but often times life events force us to stretch whether we choose to or not. I chose the Ironman because it taught me how to cope when stretched to the limit, and more importantly, where to place my trust. In every Ironman event I was in I would experience a breaking point, the wall, where the body and mind say no more. Still, I participated in 14 Ironman races (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) and completed every one of them. While I met pain and suffering in those races, I never gave up, but rather gave in to the power of God that would sustain me (Philippians 4:13 states: I can do all things in Him who gives me strength ). I am thankful for those years doing the Ironman races. I learned a lot and developed strength of mind and body which assist me when the currents of life are turbulent. I am thankful to everyone who supported my Ironman journey, especially the event in Hawaii in May we all continue to walk faithfully with God, learning by life s events how to make it through the rough waters. God s blessing and peace be with you all. Fr. Tom 4

5 A Message from Joyce We are all getting in fast forward mode. We have the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to prepare for. Herbert, one of the scout leaders, has already come forward with about a dozen scouts to help pack and prepare the baskets. We will be passing out the bags for our food drive on October 31 and November 1. Be sure to take a bag home from Church and bring it back the next week filled with food, keeping in mind that we are the only charity that prepares all three holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, so keep up the prayers and come join us. Important dates: October 31 and November 1: pass bags at Sacred Heart and Fr. Serra parishes November 7 and 8: pick up food from Fr. Serra and Sacred Heart Churches after all the Masses. November 8: sort food at Site 1 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. November 21: prepare and distribute Thanksgiving baskets. December 5: Christmas trees go up. December 13: Christmas trees come down. December 19: Christmas basket giveaway at Site 1. December 24 through January 9: SVDP CLOSED and BACK January 4. To all of our members and friends: Happy 2016 and God bless our St. Vincent de Paul Conference here in Lancaster. 5 God bless, Joyce

6 Vincentians, A Letter from Your President It is you, the Lord s people, that we here at St Vincent de Paul gather our harvest for the poor. This is the time of the year that is really beautiful: the weather, the harmony that we enjoy as a family preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving, and all people united together to enjoy the harvest that the Lord has given us. However, here at St Vincent s, the hard core homeless street people are saddened because for whatever reason they have no relationship with friends or family. That is why they seek out places like ours because we enjoy and accept them as they are. It is a place of hope, and that is God-pleasing. I saw this prayer and I thought it was appropriate. I hope you enjoy it too. HARVEST PRAYER The harvest season s over, the yield is gathered in; God in His tender mercy Has blessed us once again. Vegetables and fruit and grain Are heaped high everywhere, Enough to see the winter through And still enough to share. As God has blessed our harvest, It s only right that we should give To those who are less fortunate, Wherever they may live. As we give thanks at table grace, O may we humbly pray That none would have an empty plate On this or any day. Kay Hoffman Yours in Christ, 6 Don

7 Prayer Corner Anyone who wishes to add names can contact SVDP at We would love to hear from you and hope that all our fellow Vincentians will lift these people in prayer: Tom Russell for severe back problems, Wayne Squire for special intentions, Jean Dexheimer for special intentions, Sister Ana Priester For medical problems, Ingrid Hargrave and family for special intentions, Roberta and Walt Schmitt, and Victor Schrauth, RIP. May he be one with the Lord, and his wife Ann, give her strength during this difficult time, and for all our clients, that God in his infinite mercy, will comfort them and send his angels to minister to them. Please pray for the soul of Mary Squire, the wife of one of our members from a long time ago. Praise God for all our success and ask him for healing for our people still in need of our prayers as well as all of our Vincentians who so generously give of their time and talents. YARD SALE NEWS We will be having a yard sale Saturday, November 14, so let's meet Friday, November 13, at site 2 at 3:30 and then Saturday at Kirkland at 7:30 a.m. The more volunteers we have the quicker we can unload and set up. We will start packing up at 12:30 and as always, we need volunteers to help unload, and to load the truck up in the afternoon. If you know of anyone who would be able to help Friday or Saturday, please forward this information to them. I look forward to seeing all of you. Thank you. 7 Tish

8 NOVEMBER 11 Ryan Escarlan REMINDER: Keep the 2 & 4 oz. medicine bottles coming. We give away about 50 bottles a day filled with shampoo, conditioner or lotion that the homeless need. Don't forget to mark out your name and empty the bottles of medicine. We thank you for helping us help the poor. 8