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Invitation to Serve

Beginning in September our council will undertake the Invitation to Serve Drive. The objective will be to assist and encourage interested people in our parishes to join in our ministry of service to the poor. In turn our conferences will be strengthened with new members dedicated to the mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The programs format has been used successfully by other councils for recruiting new Vincentians. The drive will involve all three parishes in the Rogue Valley simultaneously. The cooperation and encouragement of the pastors will be enlisted. Also, the aide of all conference Presidents and members is essential to our success.

Awareness of the drive will be accomplished through a series of parish bulletin announcements. This will be followed be a pulpit presentation after each Sunday Mass.

Sign up after each Mass will be followed within a few days by an orientation meeting of all interested parties at which the works of the society here in the Rogue Valley will be explained. New members will then be encouraged to select the area or areas of service to which they feel attracted.

“The programs format has been used successfully by other councils for recruiting new Vincentians.”

The drive will end with an Ozanam School for all Vincentians conducted by Father Pedro on November 8.

Please note: Help from currant active Vincentians will be needed the weekend of October 11-12 after all the Masses to assist with sign-ups

Don Lamb

School Supplies Give-Away

Western Regional Held in Boise, Idaho

St. Vincent de Paul Society loses one of its leaders...

Don Lamb, our Oregon Archdiocesan Chair and Voice of the Poor Advocate passed away on May 16 in his sleep, he was 71 years old. Don was a volunteer with the Society for over 20 years, and held virtually every position in the Society in Oregon. Don, a trained lawyer, was instrumental in helping those in need, from handing out food boxes on home visits to dealing with the State of Oregon legislature on predatory lending.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, two grown children and two grandchildren. With profound sadness and gratitude we, the Rogue Valley District Council, remember Don and his dedication to the poor and needy that was the best.

Those of you who attended the dedication ceremony last year celebrating the completion of our Capital Improvement Project might remember his attendance at the event. This quiet, humble and dedicated Vincentian tirelessly helped our Society in many ways. We will all miss him. Please remember Don and his surviving family in your prayers.

August 11-15 from 9 am to 2 pm are the dates for the School Supplies giveaway. This year there will be additional evening hours on August 12 and 14 only, from 5 pm to 8 pm. We need volunteers for screening and/or bagging during these hours.

Can you help out? There is a sign up sheet in the office. Thanks! 

“Where your treasure lies there too lies your heart.”

The Gem State was host to this year's St. Vincent de Paul Western Regional meeting. Our Medford SVDP representative was Kathy Morgan and here’s her report: “The theme of the event was Where your treasure lies there too lies your heart.

More than 200 Vincentians from the Western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, joined in prayer and fellowship in Boise, Idaho, June 24-28.

This year marked the 175th Anniversary of the Society's mission in the United States. Father Pedro, spiritual advisor for the Western Region, was on hand to provide uplifting and constructive words about living the Vincentian life. His main message being that God will provide.

Terry Wilson, Vice President of National St. Vincent de Paul, gave a keynote address. The best news out of the conference is that Joe Flanagan, President of National St. Vincent de Paul, is now cancer free.

The conferences give Vincentians a chance to relax, pray together and return to the focus of our mission: Seeing the face of Christ in those we serve. It is always time well spent."