August 25, 2010 // Local
St. Vincent de Paul Society holds regional meeting in Fort Wayne
The Fort Wayne District Council hosted the Mideast Regional Meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Aug. 6-8. Dignitaries in the picture are, front row, from left, Father Thom Lombardi, Pat and Joe Flannigan, and Roger Playwin; top row, Donna Brooke, Jim and Carolyn Dumont, Bishop emeritus John M. D’Arcy and Sister Caroline Clark.
By Donna Brooke
FORT WAYNE — The Fort Wayne District Council hosted the Mideast Regional Meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society on the weekend of Aug. 6-8.
Nearly 150 People from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan gathered for a weekend of business, spirituality and Vincentian family friendship. On Friday night, the spiritual director for the Fort Wayne district, Father Thom Lombardi, greeted everyone as they gathered for an informal evening of entertainment and fellowship.
Saturday morning included a welcome by Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, and business meetings with the National President Joe Flannigan; the National Executive Director Roger Playwin; and the Vice President of the Mideast Region Jim Dumont.
Flannigan announced that the cause for the canonization of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the St. Vincent de Paul founder, was moving forward. The afternoon consisted of three Vincentian- related training and spirituality sessions.
Bishop-emeritus John M. D’Arcy celebrated Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Parish for the Vincentians and parishioners. The day ended with a banquet and entertainment.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is the largest Catholic lay organization in the world with a presence in 145 countries with 700,000 members from all walks of life who help the disadvantaged. The services that are provided by the society range from running homeless shelters, feeding the hungry, visiting the ill and those in prison, helping people with job searches, clothing those in need, helping with living expenses and donating furniture and appliances.
The society’s core values encompass holiness of life, service of the poor, humility, simplicity, and charity and justice.
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