The Vincentian family is marking the 350th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac with a Mass and day of service and a special collection for Zafen (Creole for “It’s Our Business”), a microfinance project in Haiti. The project allows individuals to invest online to support projects that are administered by Haitians. Visit www.zafen.org for more information.
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The day of service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21, at more than a dozen sites across the St. Louis area and East St. Louis, Ill., including St. Vincent Children’s Home, Cosgrove Soup Kitchen, Our Lady’s Inn, Our Little Haven, St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist Parish in North St. Louis, St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores, St. Patrick Center and Holy Angels Shelter, among other locations.
For more information on individual locations or to register to volunteer, visit www.famvinSTL.org.
On Sunday, Aug. 22, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will celebrate Mass at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue in the Central West End. Concelebrants include Vincentian Father Gregory Gay, superior general of the Congregation of the Mission; Auxiliary Bishop Robert Hermann; Vincentian Father Perry Henry, provincial of the Vincentians’ Western Province; and others. The Archdiocesan Choir will provide music.
A special collection will be taken up for Zafen (Creole for “It’s Our Business”), a microfinance project in Haiti. The project allows individuals to invest online to support projects that are administered by Haitians. Visit www.zafen.org for more information.
Tags: 350th Anniversary, St. Louis, Zafen
A summary of the events…
350th Anniversary Celebration of the Vincentian Family of the regions of St. Louis, MO and Belleville, IL
Six hundred members of thirteen branches of the Vincentian Family in the regions of St. Louis, MO and Belleville, IL celebrated the 350th Anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac on August 21-22, 2010.
On August 21, over 150 people volunteered in service projects at 16 sites in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois. The groups concluded their service with apostolic reflection.
On August 22, Archbishop Robert Carlson presided at the 2:00 PM liturgy at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, and Rev. G. Gregory Gay, CM, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, delivered the homily.
Fr. Gregory emphasized that the mission of charity calls all members of the Vincentian Family to practice charity that is personal, practical and political.
The Archdiocesan Choir, composed of representatives from 40 parishes, led the music under the direction of John Romeri.
The Offertory collection will benefit a Haiti Reforestation Project of ZAFEN, a joint micro-finance project of the worldwide Vincentian Family, Fonkoze, DePaul University and the Haitian Hometown Association Resource Group. http://www.zafen.org
The reception was catered by Sister Marge Clifford, DC, of Peace Meals in East St. Louis and members of Vincentian Marian Youth from SE Missouri.
Participating branches of the Vincentian Family included the following groups:
Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Council of St. Louis and Council of Belleville, Ladies of Charity, Miraculous Medal Association, Affiliates of the Daughters of Charity, Affiliates of the Congregation of the Mission, Vincentian Service Corps, Former Daughters, Gateway Vincentian Volunteers, Vincentian Marian Youth. Ascension Health also participated.