The Society of Saint Vincent DePaul is an international lay organization supported by the parish offering prayers, resources, and assistance with housing rent or mortgage payments to those who have fallen upon hard times.

We are a Catholic lay organization and supported solely through donations. We meet twice a month usually in the Cathedral Bell Tower and are always looking to expand and diversify our membership to better reach those in need

Please consider joining us and experience the joy of being the hands and feet of Christ! For more information contact us at 815-773-4167 or email us at SVDP@straymond.net and one of our members will contact you.

Interested in becoming a part of SVDP contact Mary Spesia at SVDP@straymond.net.

SVDP Thrift Stores-

Volunteer Today!

Living out the gospel message and serving Jesus by serving the poor doesn’t stop at the end of a workday. Make living out the gospel message not just a job, but a lifestyle. 

Better the community, better the environment, and better yourself by volunteering for St. Vincent de Paul Society TODAY! 

 Signing up is EASY: 

1. Create an account at svdpjolietstoresorg.galaxydigital.com 
2. Look for the volunteer opportunity that best suits you 
3. Sign up! 

Questions? Concerns? Email volunteer@svdpjolietstores.org 

If you are in need of assistance or know someone who is, please call the
SVDP hotline @ 815-773-4167 or email SVDP@straymond.net
A St. Vincent DePaul volunteer will return your call within 24 hours.
For security purposes, return calls are made from a "private/blocked" line not recognized by caller ID's.

Our Story...

October 2004 the then Pastor of the Cathedral, and a group of parishioners started a Conference at St. Raymond’s. Some of these parishioners recorded sermons and offered the money that was given by parishioners purchasing CD’s of his sermons to begin the work of the new Conference. Deacon Nick Bonnaci mentored the group and in his life made his own generous contributions. At the time of his passing his wife, Betty, in the same spirit listed the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul as a beneficiary.

The desire was that the Society would assist those in need in the community. The new community was eager and set out to follow the rule of St. Vincent. They did as the rule directed and visited and granted assistance spiritually and financially in any way that they could.

In those early days the Society struggled. Their resources were limited. Requests came in for assistance with housing, utilities, food, gas cards, and other kinds of bills. The membership grew and dwindled. Decisions were made with whoever was present at the meeting. Sadly, the Society learned that there were those who took advantage of charitable organizations. There was a need for focus and leadership.

Kevin Rutkowski was the first President and he proceeded to create a board with leaders who had much needed expertise. The membership stabilized and even grew. With prayer and discernment the board and the membership defined the focus for the St. Raymond Conference: they could and would assist those who came to them, primarily with needs for housing. There were agencies and resources that could help with the many other needs, They would give priority to the needs of the members of the parish. They would also give priority to families with children. Finally, as the Cathedral of the diocese, if they were able and within the guidelines of the rule, they would not refuse any member of the Joliet community.

Today...

There are approximately  32 active members of the St. Raymond Conference with nine Board members who continue to offer their service in their areas of expertise. New members who have joined the Society offer new talents and services. There is a corps of persons on phone ministry and another corps of case visitors. Keeping the confidentially of the friends who have applied for assistance, the “stories” of all cases are shared with all members. Those we serve become the heart of the prayers of the Conference.

The Conference is strong; it is a community of persons dedicated to serving the needy. There are new demands and challenges. Some who seek assistance are not willing to help themselves; some who seek assistance have lacked truthfulness; some have taken advantage of the Society seeking assistance from several Conferences for the same request and sometimes over and over again. And even though we are blessed with the generosity of the parishioners, sometimes there is little or no money.

The Conference has kept careful records of all visits since their beginning and of all calls in the last years. These records are the evidence for demonstrating careful stewardship of the finances entrusted to them.

The challenges have been identified. The Conference faces new demands. It needs to continue to refresh itself with new members. It needs to refresh the mission in the minds of all members. And it needs to look once more at the needs and the needy who come to the Society.

New members are always welcome!