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Women’s Guild Continues Serving Faithfully During Pandemic
Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Vincent de Paul faith community was busy — of course, we gathered for Mass, as well as for many ministry meetings and fundraising events. In March 2020, all of this came to an abrupt halt. If we’ve learned anything over this past year, it’s just how important our family and friends are to us. We’ve also come to have an even fuller appreciation for our brothers and sisters in Christ. The members of the Women’s Guild at St. Vincent de Paul can’t wait to get back to the face-to-face fellowship very soon. Although they’ve continued with virtual meetings, via the Zoom video conferencing platform, it can never fully replace being in the same room together.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to start meeting again in person at some capacity this fall, if not the first part of 2022,” says Janice Carter, current Women’s Guild President. “ In the meantime, we still are doing good work for our parish and our community as best we can.”
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The members of the Women’s Guild at St. Vincent de Paul focus on service and fellowship. Any woman, 18 or older, is welcome in the Women’s Guild. There are currently 120 members. Before the pandemic, members met at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the Johnson Activity Center for a meal followed by a program or activity. During some months, they have prepared for upcoming events — in September, members have worked on the baskets they sell at the Parish Picnic, and in March, they have stuffed Easter eggs for the annual egg hunt. Before Lent, they have also held a special Reconciliation event. During May, they place special flowers on the altar to honor Mary.
Members gather for a 2019 Women’s Guild meeting.
“In May, we also honor a mother or grandmother with a new baby in the family with a ceramic cross given out at a meeting,” Janice says.
The Women’s Guild exists to serve the community and parish financially, as well as through prayer. It also provides important social opportunities, as members are there for one another in times of sadness, joy, and everything in between.
“We seek to serve our members and their families, so that they may come together to learn about, to grow in love and respect for, and to care for each other and our Savior,” says Janice, who got involved when she moved here from the Houston area. “We seek to offer a family environment by extending our hearts, hands, and prayers to others in times of need, sickness, grief, joy, and happiness so that the love of Jesus may take on a real and physical nature.”
The Women’s Guild also assists with altar flowers, and the group pays for liturgical and baptismal garments. Their annual tea fundraiser benefits the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They also support, through funds and work, Catholic Charities, Arlington Pregnancy Center, Open Arms Health Clinic, Beautiful Feet Ministry, Meals on Wheels, and the Sisters of St. Mary Namur, to name a few.
