Tag: SVDP

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Vincent de Paul Youth Service Council raising funds for new scholarship

MADISON — Last year, the Madison St. Vincent de Paul Youth Service Council (SVdP YSC), comprised of Dane County high school students from numerous parishes, designed, funded, and awarded its very own scholarship.

This year, the group is looking to repeat its efforts.

Understanding that not every family has the resources to support post-secondary education, the $1,000 scholarship is intended to assist a student who receives free/reduced lunch and desires to continue their education following graduation.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Ralph Middlecamp installed as president of U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

ralph middlecamp
Ralph Middlecamp joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vicentian Family” for a recent gathering in Rome. He is the new national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — This story has a dateline of Madison, but Ralph Middlecamp will be traveling throughout the United States and the world in his new position as national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP).

Middlecamp has worked with the local SVdP for almost 30 years and will remain based in Madison during his six-year term as the society’s national president.

Gathering in Rome

In October, he joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vincentian family” for a gathering in Rome to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the men’s Congregation of the Mission.

The gathering included an audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis venerated a reliquary containing the heart of St. Vincent de Paul.

Middlecamp said the incorrupt heart is usually kept in Paris in a reliquary at the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity.

He noted that over 200 Vincentian organizations were present in Rome. There are SVdP societies in 150 countries.

The worldwide Church

“My new position allows me to see the worldwide Church at work,” he said.

Besides Rome, he has also visited Paris and will be going soon to Quito, Ecuador, for a meeting of SVdP leaders from the Western Hemisphere.

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Chris Lee

Middlecamp elected national SVDP president

MADISON — Ralph Middlecamp, CEO and executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) council in Dane County, has been elected to a six-year term as the society’s national president.

The result of the national election was announced by the SVDP National Council of the United States. Middlecamp’s six-year term as national president, an unpaid volunteer position, is slated to begin October 1.

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Kevin Wondrash

Youth Service Council raises money for the poor in Lebanon

MADISON — The Madison Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Youth Service Council (YSC) recently sent more than $1,000 to St. Vincent de Paul-Lebanon to assist the poor, unemployed, and refugees there.

While attending a national St. Vincent de Paul meeting in Providence, R.I., last fall, YSC members Claire Finucane and DC Morris heard Julien Spiewak, the society’s international secretary general, outline the struggles the country of Lebanon currently faces and how the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is trying to help.

Challenges in Lebanon

The SVdP has been active in Lebanon since 1860 but has recently faced greater challenges than usual.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Teens join together to serve others

MADISON — “This is a place where you’ll make a difference.”

Those are bold words coming from Edgewood High School junior DC Morris, but they are true.

Morris, along with 21 other teens, makes up the St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Youth Service Council.

Nearly two years ago, the society’s District Council of Madison formed the council consisting of high school students who serve as representatives for their home parishes or schools.

 

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Kevin Wondrash

Society of St. Vincent de Paul urges ‘Recycle the Warmth’ for people in need

MADISON — On a cold night, not much beats a warm blanket.

Each year, thousands of generous donors search their linen closets, wallets, and hearts to supply the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with new and gently used blankets for Dane County people facing hard times.

The society’s “Recycle the Warmth” Blanket Drive, held on the last full weekend in January, will offer the community its 23rd annual opportunity to offer such comfort for local households in need.

The society’s blanket drive annually collects donations of several thousand new and gently used blankets, as well as other bedding, that St. Vincent de Paul then gives away all year long to low-income households lacking these items.

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