August 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Gathers for National Assembly in St. Louis

The National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, will host its annual National Assembly, September 6 – 9, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch in St. Louis, MO. More than 800 Vincentian volunteers and leaders from across the country are expected to gather together to celebrate their common values of spirituality, friendship, and service.

The agenda is filled with opportunities to learn from Vincentians across the country about their work serving neighbors in need in their local communities, as well as unite in friendship and their Catholic faith.

“The theme of this year’s National Assembly is Where It All Began,” says National CEO Dave Barringer. “It reflects the fact that the Society’s roots in the United States are grounded here in St. Louis, where the first Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States met at the city’s Old Cathedral in 1845. We’re excited to show the Society’s servant leaders the rich religious history that ties our organization to St. Louis.”

The event is a chance to reflect on the Society’s history of more than 175 years of serving those in need across the United States, but also, it’s an opportunity to look forward. Outgoing National President Ralph Middlecamp of Madison, WI will preside over the week’s events before concluding his 6-year term of office at the end of September. Meanwhile, President-Elect John Berry of Atlanta, GA will be installed as the organization’s next president during a Mass and Vincentian Recommitment Ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis, led by the Society’s Spiritual Advisor, Bishop Donald J. Hying.

Tours of religious sites, including St. Mary of Victories, St. Francis de Sales, St. Joseph’s Shrine, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the original home of the Vincentian Family in the United States, are also available for attendees.

With nearly 90,000 members serving in more than 4,400 parishes across the country, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the world’s largest lay Catholic organization. The National Council of the United States is headquartered in Maryland Heights, MO.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Jill Pioter
National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
66 Progress Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63043
phone (314) 576-3993, ext. 204
jpioter@svdpusa.org