St. Vincent de Paul Society

Members meet on the third Monday of every month (except December), from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, in the Life Teen building. Anyone interested in learning more about our ministry is welcome to attend.

If you feel the call to join our parish Conference, or have any questions, please contact the church office at 512-258-1161.

What is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide volunteer Catholic lay organization, which visits the poor and needy in their homes.  The Society provides comfort, financial and spiritual assistance to those they visit.

Volunteers, called Vincentians, serve within parish ministries called Conferences.  They strive toward increased spiritual growth through acts of charity.  Upper Councils are formed by groups of Conferences, which provide for special works.

Our Mission

St.Thomas More Conference

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores

Helping Out

Our Mission

Inspired by Gospel values, the women and men of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offer person-to-person service to the needy and suffering, in the tradition of its founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

As a reflection of the whole family of God, Vincentians are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level.  Their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing unites Vincentians in an international community, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gathering and adherence to a basic Rule.

Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice.  The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing causes, making no distinction in those served, because in them Vincentians see the face of Christ.

St.Thomas More Conference

St. Thomas More parish holds a Black Bag collection at Masses on the third weekend of every month. The proceeds go to the parish Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The major disbursements of the Conference go toward utilities, housing and food. By twinning with other Conferences in the diocese, we also assist those that do not have the resources to help all the needy in their parish.  The great generosity of St. Thomas More parishioners enables us to both serve our parish and extend a helping hand to other Conferences.  98.3% of all the funds go directly to the assistance of the needy.

In addition to the year-round aid, our Conference holds a food drive at Thanksgiving and provides food baskets to 50 to 70 families.  The Conference also assists with the Advent Giving Tree and works to distribute gifts to organizations including other St. Vincent de Paul Conferences.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores

The Society Thrift Stores play an important role in providing assistance to those in need. Through a staff of employees and volunteers, we work to collect, evaluate and merchandise a variety of donated goods. This merchandise provides a low cost shopping alternative of quality goods to low-income individuals and families. Those who cannot afford clothing, furniture and other household items are helped through a Vincentian voucher referral system.

Serving Christ’s needy is the first goal of all St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores. To ensure the long-term continuity of the stores, sound business practices are utilized.

Surplus funds from the Store operation are distributed to the Society and Ladies of Charity to assist in rent, utilities and other expenses of the underprivileged in the Austin area.

The store is managed by Paul Kleypas a member of St. Vincent de Paul parish.

If you have items to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Store please call 512-442-5652.

The Diocesan Council of Austin also has a Vehicle Donation Program. This program supports Special Projects of the Diocesan Council of Austin.  If you have a vehicle to donate, please call 512-912-7575. Ronda Motl manages this program.

Helping Out

If you wish to make a contribution, please use the envelope provided in your regular stewardship envelopes package, or the monthly Black Bag Collection.

If you wish to become a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, you are invited to attend our Conference's meetings which are held on the 3rd Monday of each month - see details under "Meetings". After a training period, you will have the opportunity to make home visits to needy households. The number of home visits varies with the incoming case load and the member's availability - typically 2 to 4 visits per month. Home visits are always done by a pair of Vincentians, working together.

Building a Better Toolbox

We are seeking information on local non-profit organizations that can help with resources in healthcare, education, legal-aid etc. If you know of an organization, or your place of business could help, please fill out the attached SVDP toolbox form.docx and return to our parish's front office. Thank you for the support!

“You are the servant of the poor… They are your masters, and the more difficult they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them.  It is for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you will give them.” - St.Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“Let us see to it that our service is loving.  It falls to us then, as to followers of Jesus, St. Vincent and Frederic Ozanam, to renew our sense of those obligations and to recommit ourselves to discharging them in love. May Christ the Messiah of the poor bless our feeble efforts in His name and make us worthy instruments of His love, beyond imagining.” - Bishop J. Terry Steib, Episcopal Advisor, United States National Council of St. Vincent de Paul (from: Ozanam News, June 1995)