SVDP celebrates annual Mass

A jubilant atmosphere filled St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on Oct. 2, with the glow of a sunny day lighting up the stained glass windows as the choir performed inspirational music at the St. Vincent de Paul Society annual Mass. 

Vincentians greeted each other with smiles, hugs and handshakes as they gathered together for the first SVDP Mass since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Mass, themed “Growing in Holiness by Serving our Neighbors in Need,” honored the work of the SVDP ministry in Baton Rouge. Father Cyril Delacroix founded the SVDP council in 1865 when he became pastor of St. Joseph.

In his homily Bishop Michael G. Duca talked about the gift of the Holy Spirit, most particularly seen in the prayer of imposition of hands when a bishop ordains a priest or confirms youth. The bishop said hopefully with the imposition of hands, people feel God stirring up the Holy Spirit within them.

“It’s not a spirit of cowardice but rather a power of love and self-control. God has given us that power, that inspiration to go out and proclaim the good news, not using the instruments of the world but the power he gives us, power that is manifested in love and self-control,” Bishop Duca said. “Often today, we have discord in the world. People are ‘rising up to protect the church,’ to ‘protect the dogma,’ to ‘protect this’ and to ‘protect that’ and they end up using the same instruments of the world.

“They end up not protecting the Gospel but themselves, their own point of view.”

He noted when God’s Spirit is truly within people that is the mark of a Christian. People see they love each other.

The bishop alluded to the Sunday Gospel of St. Luke 17:5-10, in which Jesus asked the disciples who would say to a servant who had been working in the fields, “Take your place at table.” Rather, he would say “put on your apron and serve me, you can eat and drink afterwards.”

When we do what we are called to do we should say we are “unprofitable servants” and have only done what we were obliged to do, according to the bishop.

He emphasized the readings called people to be instruments of God’s love in the world. This does not mean people are meant to be passive and that we should stand up for our faith.  

“The best apologetic and best convincing attributes have often been the ministries of charity and love in the world,” said Bishop Duca. “Often times we are challenged, ‘What have you done for the poor? You have big churches, you Catholics have this and that, you have all these funds. But what have you done for the poor?’ 

“That might become the ultimate litmus test you might say, for whether you are a disciple of Christ, whether that is really something to believe in.”

He cautioned attendees when they give financially, serve others, or “do good” not to think they have made a claim on God and will be repaid later. “That should be normal to us because we are Christians, because we are Catholics, because we are disciples who hear the cry of the poor,” said the bishop.

SVDP responds during challenging circumstances, noted the bishop. During the past five years, SVDP served in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

“But what is beautiful about this particular organization is that they have a spiritual component as well where they continue to grow as disciples and meditate on the word of God and what it means to be ministers of the poor, but also what it means for them to be able to minister to the poor and what they receive from that action,” said Bishop Duca. 

Bishop Duca and SVDP CEO Michael Acaldo said the parish SVDP conferences made 6,271 home visits in 2021. They assisted 10,311 people and provided $652,006 in assistance. This year they are projected to serve more than 250,000 meals, provide more than 20,000 guest nights of shelter, help more than 10,000 people with clothing, fill prescriptions worth $1 million and other ways. Approximately 1,500 people give their time and talent to SVDP monthly.

Acaldo reflected on SVDPs accomplishments in his annual report during the commitment and award presentation following Mass.

Since its opening 40 years ago, the SVDP dining rooms has served more than seven million meals. A second meal site has also been opened at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge.

“While we should celebrate our work and what we will accomplish this year, we shouldn’t focus on these incredible numbers,” said Acaldo. “Jesus told us how to look at our work in (St.) Matthew chapter 25: ‘For I was hungry, and you gave me food.’ ”

Putting “the face of Christ” behind those numbers, Acaldo said, “Many low-income families are fighting a losing battle in their efforts to keep up with the rising cost of basic necessities. Can you imagine the terror in a young mother’s heart when she receives an eviction notice? This economy is taking a heavy toll on the poor, and children that have no place to call home are innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. But we are here to serve them.”

Two individuals were recognized for their distinguished support of SVDP through the Top Hat Hall of Fame Award.

Recipient Sue Chenevert, founder of the SVDP conference at St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge, served SVDP in leadership positions as well as well through Habitat for Humanity.

Phil Bruder was also recognized as an active conference member at St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge since 1987. He has spent many hours volunteering at shelters and stores. 

Bruder was involved in the early days of the SVDP community pharmacy and attended pharmacy tech school so he could dispense medicine under the supervision of the SVDP pharmacist.

Giving an update on developments at SVDP, Acaldo noted the new homeless day center and emergency night shelter is progressing as planned. It is tentatively scheduled to open before the end of January. The facility will add another 36 beds. The total emergency bed capacity will grow to 206 for homeless men, women, children and families.

Through the pandemic, SVDP has also kept alive its vision for the St. Louise de Marillac chapel on campus. The diocesan liturgical art and music board and Bishop Duca have approved this project to move forward. The architect is working on this project so construction can begin.  

“So much has been accomplished over the last several years, and we thank every member of our Vincentian family for making those achievements possible. Thank you all for growing in holiness by serving our neighbors in need,” Acaldo said.