Society of St. Vincent de Paul
San Bernardino-Riverside, CA
Council Help Line
1-888-681-2282
 

     VOICE OF THE POOR    
    MISSION STATEMENT    

In the spirit of
Christian love and justice,
the Voice of the Poor Committee
upholds
Catholic values
by researching,
validating,
documenting,
advocating,
and promulgating
issues
related to the condition
of the poor and disenfranchised
for the purpose
of helping Vincentians
to live their faith
by acting knowledgeably
and credibly
as a unified body
speaking with one voice
for the purpose
of building up
the Kingdom of God.

   CAPWIZ  
Capwiz is an online advocacy tool that allows you to easily communicate your concerns directly and instantly to elected officials in Washington.


THREE EASY STEPS
  1. Go to the SVdP National website at
     http://www.svdpusa.org
  2. Along the top bar click on "Voice of the Poor"
  3. Click on the big red "Capwiz"

When we pray...
"Thy Kingdom come, 

Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven,"
We are called to action to bring God's Kingdom to earth.
Action on behalf of justice,
and participation in the transformation of the world,
are integral elements in living the gospel message
because the Good News proclaimed by Jesus
is only effective

if the works of
justice, love and peace

are included.

VOICE OF THE POOR
"I was hungry, and you formed a discussion group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned, and you quietly crept off to your chapel to pray for my release.
I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless, and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely, and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
But I am still very hungry -- very lonely ---very cold."

(Written by a homeless woman who turned to a Church for help and received none) ---Ladies of Charity 1996

FIVE LITTLE WORDS COMPEL US TO DO WHAT WE DO....

"You Did It For ME"

Matthew 25:40

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Council of San Bernardino-Riverside helps people.
Our goal is to help people help themselves.
We help them through researching and identifying the systemic issues
that provide barriers to their recovery and ability to be self sufficient.
We help them through educating them on how to empower and advocate
for themselves, their families and their communities.

"Never give in charity what is owed in justice" 
-Pope John XXIII

If we love Christ, we must love and serve His poor.
Jesus asks that our love for Him
extend beyond merely being affected by
seeing people in wretched conditions.
We are asked to act
by taking steps to create positive and effective change.
St. Vincent emphasized this when he said that
love for the poor must be both affective and effective.

As Vincentians we must speak for those
who cannot do so themselves,
shaping public policy so the very weakest in our society
may be protected. 
May the words of the poor and underprivileged
find voice on your lips.

Blessed Frederic says
The whole order of society is based on justice and charity.
The Society is concerned not only with the alleviation of poverty
but with the eradication of its causes.

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