Scroll to the bottom of the page to read Fr. Gay's homily, and see a video and pictures from the Mass.
350th Anniversary celebration of the Vincentian Family of the regions of St. Louis, MO and Belleville, IL
Six hundred members of thirteen branches of the Vincentian Family in the regions of St. Louis, MO and Belleville, IL celebrated the 350th Anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac on August 21-22, 2010.
On August 21, over 150 persons volunteered in service projects at 16 sites in St. Louis, St. Charles and East St. Louis, IL. The groups concluded their service with apostolic reflection.
On August 22, Archbishop Robert Carlson presided at the 2 PM liturgy at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, and Rev. G. Gregory Gay, CM, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, delivered the homily.
Fr. Gregory emphasized that the mission of charity calls all members of the Vincentian Family to practice charity that is personal, practical and political.
The Archdiocesan Choir, composed of representatives from 40 parishes, led the music under the direction of John Romeri.
The Offertory collection will benefit a Haiti Reforestation Project of ZAFEN, a joint micro-finance project of the worldwide Vincentian Family, Fonkoze, DePaul University and the Haitian Hometown Association Resource Group. (www.zafen.org)
The reception was catered by Sister Marge Clifford, DC, of Peace Meals in East St. Louis and members of Vincentian Marian Youth from SE Missouri.
Participating branches of the Vincentian Family included the following groups:
Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Council of St. Louis and Council of Belleville, Ladies of Charity, Miraculous Medal Association, Affiliates of the Daughters, Affiliates of the Congregation of the Mission, Vincentian Service Corps, Former Daughters, Gateway Vincentian Volunteers, Vincentian Marian Youth. Ascension Health also participated.
Click here to download Fr. Gay's homily. Special thanks to Fr. Mark for transcribing Fr. Gay's homily!
Click here to view a video clip of the entrance procession and Fr. Gay's homily. Special thanks to Monica Watson from www.famvin.org for creating this video!