Father Hehir, Diana Hayes Highlight SVdP Meeting

Published: August 21, 2003

ATLANTA—The Council and 66 Conferences of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are gearing up for the last major event of their 100th anniversary year-the hosting of the 89th Annual Meeting of the Society in the United States Sept. 3-6.

"May the Church, and society, continue to benefit from this holy action," Archbishop John F. Donoghue said of the Society's commitment to charity, in his letter welcoming the meeting participants, "until the day our Lord comes back to judge us, and may the Holy Spirit never fail to inspire and strengthen you to carry on your work."

It will be held at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel north of Atlanta. More than 1,000 members from across the United States and around the world are expected to attend. The archbishop will celebrate the closing Mass on Saturday evening and there will be a Carter Center reception on Thursday.

Keynote speakers will include Diana Hayes, Ph.D., the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate in sacred theology and an associate theology professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Father Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities USA, and Father Richard Lopez, priest of the archdiocese and teacher at St. Pius X High School in Atlanta. Atlanta actor and director Tom Key is also on the program.

Presenters who will give a retreat on Sept. 3 include Father Thomas McKenna, CM, provincial superior for the Eastern Province of the Vincentians, Father James Kiernan, CM, director of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, and Sister Joan Keating, D.C.

Workshops will cover topics including spirituality, Vincentian unity, solidarity with people in need, collaborating with others, enhancing the Society's image and fund raising. Perpetual adoration will be offered in a hotel chapel from Thursday at 10 a.m. through Saturday at 5 p.m.

Founded by Frederic Ozanam in Paris in 1833, the Society numbers 650,000 internationally, with 53,000 members in the United States. Most conferences are parish-based in the United States.

Here in North Georgia, service often involves participating in the Society's traditional home visits, which emphasize compassionate listening and may include distributing necessities such as food, clothing or financial aid for housing and utilities.

Additional volunteer work performed by members often involves working on food and clothing drives, volunteering in thrift stores and food pantries or teaching in education programs offering everything from English and GED classes to computer training. Members may assist with mailings, office and warehouse work.

The Society's mission of "changing lives one at a time" also includes nine thrift stores, a donation and outreach center and five temporary housing facilities.

Other events celebrating the century of Vincentian service in North Georgia have included an April anniversary Mass and reception at All Saints Church, Dunwoody, as well as summer service days at St. Francis Table soup kitchen.

Cost for full registration is $190 or $150 for youth, which includes workshops, presentations, two breakfasts, Carter Center reception and closing banquet. The cost for workshops and presentations only is $20. Parking is available at no charge at the hotel.

Local Vincentians are welcome to stay at the hotel, where the group rate is $109 per night; reservations should be made directly with the hotel. For information or to make arrangements to attend some or all of the convention, call (770) 576-4078. To volunteer, call (770) 986-9812. For information about the Society in North Georgia ,visit the Web site www.svdpatl.org.