HOMEPAGE for this issue: September 12, 2012 // Download PDF Version // Click to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

Vincentians to host annual walk, conference on Sept. 22

By Julie Filby

All are invited to the 2012 Vincentian Walk for the Poor and Just Charity Conference on Sept. 22 at Queen of Peace Church in Aurora. The events will be hosted by the five groups that make up the Vincentian family in the Denver area.

Vincentians, or members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. In the Denver Archdiocese, the Vincentian family is comprised of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Center for Spirituality at Work, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Vincentian (Congregation of the Mission) brothers and priests, and Colorado Vincentian Volunteers.

“What makes us unique is that we make home visits to those in poverty,” said Chris Strassburger, executive director of the Denver Metro Council that includes 33 parish-based conferences and 550 members.

Funds raised at the Walk for the Poor—to be held from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m.—will be used to assist the needy with utilities, rent, food, transportation, clothing and shelter. Walkers are asked to collect pledges and turn them in the day of the walk.

The Just Charity Conference will kick off at 10:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Caroljean Willie.
Sister Willie serves as the NGO (nongovernmental organization) representative at the United Nations for the Sisters of Charity Federation. She has extensive experience working cross-culturally in the United States and abroad as a teacher, teacher trainer and retreat director; and has been involved with education at all levels from kindergarten through adults.

Sister Willie has worked in education, health care and faith-based communities as a cultural diversity consultant, and is currently working with micro-financing projects in Africa. She is the author of “Praying All Ways: A Multiple Intelligences Approach to Prayer.”

At the conference, she will speak on systemic change. Systemic change aims to go beyond providing food, clothing and shelter to alleviate the immediate needs of those living in poverty. It enables people to identify the root causes of their poverty, as well as create strategies to change those structures.

To sign up for the walk or conference, or make a donation, visit  www.svdden.org (click “Events”), or connect by mail at: St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2250 S. Harrison St., Denver, CO 80210. The walk will include three course options: .4 mile, 1.1 mile and 5k.

Registration for the conference is $15 before Sept. 17 and $20 at the door. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Queen of Peace Church is located at 13120 E. Kentucky Ave. in Aurora. Call 303-960-9163 or email svdpden@aol.com  with questions.