News from the Society

Thanks so much to everyone who attended the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul Walk at Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church! 

We had a beautiful day and were truly blessed for nearly 170 walkers, volunteers, parishioners, donors and sponsors who participated in the walk. 

Our SVPD event was a success and raised over $45,000 to support our mission so we can serve our neighbor and friends in need.

As mentioned in the Richmond Biz Sense article, the grand opening of the SVDP Thrift store in the Westland Shopping Center on Parham Road is planned for October 4, 2025.

In addition to the Bon Air SVDP Thrift Store, this will be a great location for West Enders to bring future donated items  in support of the SVDP mission.

Please share this exciting grand opening day with your friends, parishioners and neighbors! 

ST MICHAEL DAY CHAPEL - 6:30 PM

Presented by: Deacon Andy Cirmo Spiritual Advisor & Formator for SVDP St Michael Conference and SVDP Richmond Council.

You’re invited for an evening of spiritual reflection inspired by Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII’s landmark letter on Catholic social justice—revisited through the voice of Pope Leo XIV in preparation for the World Day of the Poor.

SVDP is hosting a Complimentary “Thank You” Breakfast for the St. Michaels Community in appreciation for the generous support of SVDP’s mission after all the morning masses. 

Thanks for walking with us in faith and service.

Many thanks to Kelly Harris  for her dedicated service as Vice President of SVDP!  As a volunteer, Kelly has given her time, energy, and compassion to uplift those in need, making a lasting impact on our community. During our recent SVDP group meeting, Thresa Felix, President of SVDP St. Michael’s Conference, presented Kelly with a special gift of appreciation for her efforts. Though her role as VP may be concluding, she and husband, Drew, will remain active in the SVDP focusing on Case Visits. 

This past weekend, Vincentians from across the Mid-Atlantic Region of SVDP gathered at Bon Secour Retreat Center in Marriottsville, MD, for a weekend of learning, fellowship, and Vincentian spirituality. Among the attendees from the Richmond Diocese were Thresa Felix, President of SVDP St. Michael’s Conference; Dan Kearns, Executive Director of the Richmond Council and dedicated Vincentians from the Saint Michael, Saint Teresa, and Sacred Heart Conferences.

In celebration of St. Joseph's Day, the Filitalia and IACA groups gathered for this special Italian American tradition at St. Michael's Lake House. During this event, they co-hosted a food drive to benefit the SVDP Pantry.

Special Guests included His Excellency Bishop Barry Knestout, Filitalia President Joe Elia, Jr., SVDP St. Michael Conference President Thresa Felix and Deacon Andy Cirmo alon IACA members. Thanks everyone for their generosity and the successful food drive  to stock our pantry.

 Members from the Richmond Council of Saint Vincent de Paul,  the St. Teresa and St. Michael Conferences, attended the "Shine Conference - Accompaniment and Advocacy:  Walking with the People of God", a diocesan wide gathering held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, on March 1, 2025 on social justice and advocacy matters of the poor and marginalized. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Diocese of Richmond Fuel and Hunger Fund for their generous $10,000 grant, which will greatly support our mission at the St. Vincent de Paul Richmond Conference.  This wonderful contribution, made possible through the Bishop's Annual Appeal and the support of the diocese community, will have a meaningful impact.

With these funds, we will be able to stock our food pantry and assist friends and neighbors with food and utility bills.

Vincent's Pantry is now open and serving our friends in need with groceries. The pantry is not an open / walk in pantry. 

You have to register and will receive an appointed time to arrive. For more information, you can contact  

804-997-4489

St. Michael’s St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) conference was one of the charities that Markel selected to receive donations from their 2024 Dominion Energy Classic Pro-Am Charity event. 

The donation amount was based on the Markel team’s score at the end of the round.  Congratulations to Don Bahr, Retief Goosen, and the team for winning the event. Their performance resulted in a $8,000 donation for our work.

Some of our Young Vincentians gathered this month to help distribute Thanksgiving baskets to those in need. We are thankful for our teens and for supporters who provided the food for the baskets 

Thanks to your help, our 2024 Richmond Friends of the Poor Walk was a big success! We had 192 walkers and brought in $38,000, which will be shared among the Richmond conferences based on their participation. https://events.idonate.com/fopwalk-council-richmond

Members and friends of the society gathered at St. Michael Day Chapel, where our spiritual advisor,  Andy Cirmo, did a presentation on Vincentian saints. Among them were St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, who devoted their lives to the poor.  

Vincentians gathered at 9:15 a.m. Mass at St. Michael for our annual renewal of Vincentian promises - among them, to spread God's love through works of mercy and to listen with respect to people in need and respond to their needs. 

Our Richmond Council  presented a deep-dive class on the society called Ozanam Orientation, named after our founder, Frederic Ozanam , from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 10, in room 205 at St. Michael Church. To register, contact Dan Kearns at at dkearns@svdp-rvacouncil.org 

Meetings at 6:30 PM in St Michael's Lake House Social Hall (check the monitor in the main building to confirm meeting room). In working with the Diocese, all meetings are now being held via video conference call. For more info, please email info@svdp-rva.org

 Vincentians gathered at Mass for a blessing from Fr. Dan on April 28th for "Ozanam Sunday," named after society founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam.  https://svdp-rva.org/who-we-are