Sometimes, one person or a small group of people have an idea to help others and it mushrooms into something much bigger than they could have ever imagined. St. Raphael Catholic Church was the second Catholic church founded in Naperville.
Early on, in 1984, through a cooperative of other Naperville churches, St. Raphael opened a Loaves & Fishes pantry to assist families in need of food. About 100 families were helped each month in 1984. Now Loaves & Fishes helps over 10,000 people a month.
Additionally, the first pastor felt it was important to take a percentage or tithe of the weekly collection to provide assistance to local neighbors in need. Thus, a local chapter/conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) was formed at St. Raphael. St. Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization that aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ and our neighbors in need with love, respect, hope and joy; and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society.
The members of the Society of SVDP (or “Vincentians”) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering a person-to-person service to individuals in need. They feel that their blessings (time, talent, or treasures) are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need. The Society of SVDP offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. It is this personalized involvement that makes the work of the Society unique. The aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct dollar or in-kind service. If the local team of SVDP cannot directly help a particular need, they can at least direct people to other local county or city services.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or emergency and is in need of temporary assistance, you may call the local SVDP chapter. You do not need to be Catholic to request or receive help from SVDP. If you are not sure which church’s boundaries you live within, please call SVDP at (630) 355-4545 and they can help you determine the correct chapter. Your information always will be kept strictly confidential.
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
One more thing… If anyone is interested in reading short vignettes about the experiences of one store clerk in a St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, the book is called Thrift Store Saints: Meeting Jesus 25 Cents at a Time by Jane Knuth. Each chapter is only three minutes long so even the busiest person has time for a chapter a day. I guarantee your life will be charged by the stories!
PHONE CONTACT: St. Raphael, (630) 355-4545; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, (630) 416-3325; St. Margaret Mary, (630) 369-0777; Ss. Peter & Paul, (630) 355-1081; and St. Thomas the Apostle, (630) 355-8980 ext. 250.
