March 2016 Our Lady of Charity Lancaster/Quartz Hill Conference THE VINCENTIAN TRUMPET

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1 March 2016 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 Treasurers Cathy Cristos & Margarita Hoffman 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 March 2016 Calendar and other St. Vincent de Paul Events SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT st Grade SHS/ Women of Grace 8 9 Miriam Sisters 10 Don M./ Pass out bags for food drive Pass out bags for food drive Soo Janet Kathy C. K of C 4th Degree Sorting for food drive OPEN 1st Grade SHS/ Johnny OPEN Latinos K of C 3 rd Degree 28 Janet Fr. Serra 31 Holy Cross/Easter Food Giveaway EASTER SUNDAY K of C 3 rd Degree Nancy-salad/ OPEN Fr. Serra Dear Lord, increase my strength and faith, my hope and charity, a thousandfold! Be thou forever praised, dearest Jesus, my Lord and my God! Behold, my life, my strength, my whole being, all that I have, all that I am, I devote to thy greater glory. St. John Neumann 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 A Message from Your Chairman I can t believe it s almost Easter! However, there s never a dull moment here at St Vincent de Paul. We are all busy preparing for our Easter program. Below are the important dates for you to put on your calendars. There is going to be one change in regard to the volunteers. We would like you to call the office and be assigned a day and time so that we don t have everyone coming in on the same day and no one showing up on other days on which we need help. We have several events coming up that require volunteers: Saturday & Sunday, March 5 and 6 passing out bags after all Masses for the food drive. Please take a bag home and bring back your donations the following weekend. We hope to give a ham or turkey to each family on our list. We have only two food drives a year to fill our pantry, so please be generous. Sunday, March 13 we will sort the food from the food drive 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Trevor Ave. Saturday, March 26 is the Easter food baskets give away Trevor Ave 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2 Yard Sale 7a.m.-12:30 p.m., Kirkland Ave If you need confirmation hours please sign up for one of the days above by calling the office at We sincerely thank everyone for helping in any way with our projects. Please keep these dates and phone number available. Remember, many hands make light work. Joyce 4

5 Vincentians, A Letter from Your President Our Lady of Charity is not only about morning meals; we also counsel the clients and provide many other services. If you were to come to our meetings twice a month you would be surprised to find out that we have three main programs: morning meals, the Family Program and Desk Counselors where homeless can get referrals and vouchers for clothing, a nourishing lunch bag, and toiletries as well as other necessities, not to mention the haircuts on Monday morning. There are many different ways to do the will of God. Whether spending your precious time talking to the clients or helping in the pantry or sorting clothes, we are truly blessed by God for volunteers coming in to help in any way. The following poem reminds me of all the volunteers who freely donate their precious time to spend with the less fortunate. REVERIE So often in a quiet prayer I see God s children everywhere, So many lonely souls there be Who long for cheerful company So many elderly confused who often are downright abused, So many little children who are in the same position, too. But thank our God there are enough good Christians made of sterner stuff Who will take time to right the wrong And leave a ray of hope and song. They do not need the world acclaim, They do it in God s Holy Name. God bless those who compassion thrives Where there are hurts and lonely lives. By Viney Endicott Yours in Christ, Don 5

6 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 all our clients, that God in His infinite mercy, will comfort them and send His angels to minister to them. Let us pray especially for Joyce and Don Willey, mainstays of SVDP for almost 30 years. 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. All, GARAGE SALE NEWS The next garage sale will be Saturday April 2, at Kirkland Lancaster, CA, corner of Kirkland and East Avenue J. We will meet Friday April 1, at site 2 at 3:30 to load the truck. Saturday, we will start unloading the truck at 7:30, and the sale will end at 12 o clock. Thanks to all of you for your continued help, Tish 6

7 NOTES FROM A DESK COUNSELOR What a privilege it is to sit across the desk from the least of the brethren, who are so grateful to receive a caring hello, a warm, welcoming smile, a listening ear, a sack lunch, toiletries, a clothing voucher and an encouraging God bless you! The big, burly man in the dark sunglasses with the tear sliding down his cheek starts to smile and speak with HOPE. Written with love by Teresa Matay, Desk Counselor Please enjoy the following prayer: God does not command that you must utterly forgo creaturely consolations; indeed, God created all things to serve you. But God did command that you use them with moderation, sobriety, and temperance, that you share them cheerfully with the needy, that your possessions not be your master but you theirs, and that you use them to attain God. St. Robert Bellarmine 7

8 CHRIST IS RISEN ALLELUIA! 8

9 MARCH BIRTHDAYS 05 Pat Cadena 23 Fr. Gerald 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. 9