The Vincentian Voice
March 29, 2025
 

Thank You!

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The cold winter months present real challenges for our neighbors in need.  Many area rental homes and apartment buildings are older and poorly insulated.  Gas or electric bills take a large leap up due to increased heating of residences.  Below-freezing temperatures cause water pipes to freeze and result in increased water bills.  We receive many calls from neighbors with limited or fixed incomes who are unable to keep up with their utility bills.
 
Here are two cases we were able to assist with your help.  A grandmother who is on a fixed income has custody of her grandson. She was in need of help with her past due power bill.  It had taken a jump from the typical bill of around $200 to $500 for one month.  She was facing a disconnection if her two month past-due bill was not paid.  The woman owned her own home, so she was also responsible for repairing a water pipe leak that had occurred on her property; this ballooned her water bill to over $1,000.  The water company told her they could only adjust her bill once she had had someone out to repair the pipe.  This desperate woman had no discretionary income to pay a plumber to come out, even to estimate the repair cost.

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Another woman had been a homeowner who lost her Bessemer home in a house fire.  She was forced to move away from family and friends to the Center Point area where she could find an affordable, relatively safe rental.  She is working a part-time job while looking for better-paying full-time work.  Her income just barely covers her rent, and this left her unable to pay the steep rise in her power bill.  She was also facing a disconnection of her power.

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Thank you for helping us bless these two ladies and other neighbors facing the cold this winter.  We appreciate the prayers and contributions of our Holy Infant of Prague family.  You are truly the hands and feet of Christ! 

For the first quarter of this calendar year, a total of $9,492 was received from parishioner donations.  That along with a generous balance carried over from the Advent/Christmas season enabled assistance to 78 households.  Expenditures of $29,197 provided payment for utilities, rent, and for food and other essentials.   We assisted 23% of the 370 calls we received that were eligible for help from our conference. Members made 45 home visits, and conducted 23 phone interviews.  An average of $375 was spent per household.
 
 

Want to Join Us?

 

New members are always welcome to join in the ministry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Our meetings are held twice a month: on the second Tuesday at 6:45 PM in the library; and on the fourth Sunday of the month between the masses in the parish hall.  You are more than welcome to visit.

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The personal ministry of each Vincentian is to grow in holiness by putting their faith into action.  Time is dedicated at each of our meetings to examining and discussing our faith as it relates to our personal service.

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“We should assist the poor in every way and do it both by ourselves and by enlisting the help of others…. To do this is to preach the gospel by words and work.”

 St. Vincent de Paul

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