By Paula Day

President Clinton and those planning programs to assist the poor would be able to learn something about dedication, compassion and the frugal use of resources from members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Yet, unlike doctors and firemen whose heroic efforts sometimes make front page news, these volunteers work quietly in the background helping those in need.

Recently two Vincentians were recognized for their years of service. Ann Parker of St. Patrick’s parish in Norcross and Ray Gansereit of Our Lady of the Assumption, Atlanta, received the 1993 Top Hat Award given to acknowledge their length of service and range of activities in the society. Between them they have more than 35 years’ service as Vincentians. Mrs. Parker is currently president of the Particular Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society; Gansereit is vice president. Both have been active in their parish conferences.

When Ann Parker first came to the Atlanta area 15 years ago, Father Ken Bayer, MSFS, invited her to join SVDP. Then the parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s, he recognized a woman who “really wanted to grow spiritually.” He felt answering Jesus’ admonition to Peter, “If you love me, feed my lambs,” would give her the opportunity to do so.

“Ann took the challenge,” the priest recalled. “What I admire in her now is she wants to help so badly, she hurts. I’ve seen her cry about her concern for the needy. She’s learned there’s more than we can do, that we’re not God. That’s what I see as (spiritual) growth in Ann.”

By her own admission, Mrs. Parker has “always been a volunteer.” Inspired by the example of her mother, who “gave away anything that wasn’t nailed down,” volunteerism is in her blood. But she has found St. Vincent de Paul ministry to be “more of a vocation” than just another volunteer job. The Vincentian charism has met “many of my spiritual needs,” she said.

Over the past 15 years she has seen the ministry grow. “Only men used to be involved, and assistance entailed handing the client some cash and a bag of groceries.” There has been an increase in financial aid and in the numbers needing help, she said. Now, in addition to giving vouchers for food, the volunteers may arrange to pay rent and doctors’ bills and put their clients in touch with other social service agencies.

Mrs. Parker pointed to the “tremendous development of connectedness” between the particular council, which is downtown in Atlanta, and parish conferences.

“Before I came downtown there seemed to be no connection. Downtown was one thing, the parish another. I’ve seen a growth in cooperation…We were always so busy, day to day, helping people at the conference level.”

One of her duties as particular council president has been to organize the annual training day for new members of the society. At one time 12 to 15 people took part in the training. Last year 150 participated, this year 125. Out of the 43 parish SVDP conferences in the archdiocese, 32 were represented at the training session. She has visited 37 of the 43 parish conferences and found the camaraderie among Vincentians “really wonderful.”

“They are very dedicated people,” she commented. “They really inspire me. They do so much. They are willing to do as much as it takes for the society to run smoothly here in the archdiocese.”

The other honoree, Ray Gansereit, has been a Vincentian for more than 20 years.

“The St. Vincent de Paul Society is the best thing that ever happened to me,” he has often said. “I would say I get more out of it than the recipient.”

“I think the society is at peak performance. There’s no red tape (in getting help to people). We respond, jump on it right away. We’re able to respond immediately.”

“Every case is different,” Gansereit added. “You get someone a room, keep another from being evicted, look someone in the eye who hasn’t eaten and you’ve given him some food, those are the rewards.”

Of the Top Hat Award Gansereit remarked, “There are 100 people who should be recognized. I think those people at the central office should get the honor. They’re the unsung heroes. They’re conscientious, very responsive, sincere.”

Longtime friend and fellow Vincentian Gene Lorenz says Gansereit goes beyond what is asked for, never refusing a call even at a personally inconvenient time and meeting needs with a good degree of sensitivity.

“He is kindly in his judgment, yet he recognizes that we are the stewards of what we give.” A less compassionate person would have said “enough is enough” regarding long-term clients, Lorenz believes.

The Top Hat Award traces its name to Paris of 1830s when middle class young men, members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, passed their hats and took up secret collections for the poor. Each particular council of the society gives the award annually.