Vincentians reminded they are evangelists, not social workers

Priests reminded members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that their primary role is to serve as missionaries and evangelists rather than social workers during an annual retreat on September 19 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita.

Fr. Grant Huslig told participants that because many people calling for financial assistance to avoid eviction or restore utilities are not Catholic, the laypersons responding to these calls act as the face of the Church to those outside the faith. Fr. Will Stuever encouraged volunteers to build confidence in those they serve, noting that people often call repeatedly as new needs arise.

Approximately 60 people from about a dozen parishes attended the retreat, according to Wichita District Council President Jim Ernstmann. The Wichita district includes 20 active parish-based conferences spanning from Hutchinson to Arkansas City and from Kingman to Andover.