From the Executive Director

During Lent, many of us begin by asking, “What should I give up?” But this season is about more than what we sacrifice—it’s about what we gain.

Through fasting and prayer, we gain clarity. By reflecting on our habits, we gain perspective. As we journey together in faith, we gain friendship and community. Most importantly, we gain a deeper relationship with God and a renewed appreciation for the power of sacrifice.

These same gifts are at the heart of St. Vincent de Paul. Every day in our community, we see clarity when volunteers help neighbors find hope, perspective when families receive support, and friendship formed through service. Our mission calls us to grow spiritually by serving others with compassion and dignity—and Lent reminds us why that mission matters.

Thank you for the many ways you give: through donations, volunteer hours, prayers, and kindness. Because of you, our neighbors experience more than assistance—they experience love.

May this Lenten season bring you peace, purpose, and joy in serving others.

Ash Campbell – Executive Director

Conference Spotlight: Oconto’s Clothing & Bedding Sale

The Holy Trinity Oconto Conference has a long history of serving neighbors in need. Years ago, the Conference hosted a large rummage and bake sale that brought the parish together and raised significant support for local families. When leadership changes, building renovations, and eventually COVID put that tradition on hold, parishioners began asking when it would return.

Rather than simply restart the old event, Vincentian members took time to reflect on a simple question: Why do we hold a sale?

The answer was clear—it wasn’t about raising money. It was about helping people.

From that discussion, a new and simpler plan was created. Members identified that the greatest need in the community was for clothing and bedding, and the annual Clothing & Bedding Sale was born. With strong support from Holy Trinity Parish, the focus became meeting local needs while keeping the event easy to run with limited volunteers.

To keep things simple, donations are generally accepted one day only and reviewed on-site so only appropriate items are collected. Instead of pricing individual pieces, the sale is held as an affordable “bag sale,” making it easier for volunteers and a true blessing for shoppers.

Over the past three years, this effort has:

• Raised nearly $4,000 to help local neighbors
• Brought together nearly 80 volunteers
• Contributed over 850 volunteer hours of service

Most importantly, the sale reaches exactly who it is meant to serve—single parents, seniors, large families, and individuals on limited incomes who can fill a bag with essentials at a price they can afford.

This event is a beautiful example of Vincentians living out their mission: serving with compassion, dignity, and simplicity.

If you live in the Oconto area, we invite you to support this important work—by donating, volunteering, shopping the sale, or even considering becoming a member of the Holy Trinity Oconto Conference.

Together, we can continue to meet needs and share Christ’s love in our community.

There are many ways to support the mission of St. Vincent de Paul—by giving time, sharing talents, offering monetary gifts, or donating in-kind items that help our neighbors in need.

In doing so, we live out Christ’s words, serving Him through one another.

“for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”

Matthew 25:35-36