Southern Nebraska Register
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul celebrated its 35th year serving those in need in the Lincoln Diocese.
Mass was celebrated in North American Martyrs Church in Lincoln Feb. 18, followed by a dinner, annual report of activities, and awards ceremony.
Guest speaker Father Asitha Hettiarachchi spoke about his native Sri Lanka and the efforts to serve the poor there. Father Hettiarachchi was ordained a deacon in the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln in 2014. He and several other “Sri-Lincolns,” as they were affectionately called, studied in the U.S. because of the friendship between Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of the Columbo Diocese in Sri Lanka and Emeritus Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln.
Father Hettiarachchi is now serving as assistant pastor at North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln.
After his talk, Bryan Dahlberg, president of the Lincoln Council of St. Vincent de Paul, presented the annual report and gave out several awards.
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The Top Hat Award for leadership and service went to Steve and Carolyn May. Carolyn also received the Robert Haller Social Justice Award, which is awarded to individuals who work toward social justice and equity in the community.
Tom Safranek received the “Jim” James Conroy Vincentian Spirit Award. This is awarded to individuals who most exemplify the spirit of generosity and long-term commitment to individuals in need, as epitomized by Jim Conroy, the Lincoln Council's founding member.
Awards were also given to several individuals from different Lincoln conferences, for outstanding service to the Society: Sandy Tondreau of the North American Martyrs Conference (not present); Mary Harper and Audrey Bakula of St. Joseph, Mike Romberg of St. Patrick, and Joe and Linda Conroy of Sacred Heart.
Those in attendance offered prayer for memorial honorees George Reida, Lincoln Council founding member; Father Ramón Decaen, Lincoln Council spiritual director; and Gary Johnson, Vincentian at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ Conference.
A Memorial Award in honor of Father Ramón Decaen as the Council’s spiritual director was inaugurated in his honor, to recognize those who exemplify the Lord Jesus Christ in their service to the poor. Father Decaen died in August 2021 after a brief battle with COVID-19. He was 48.
Manuel and Karen Lima shared stories of the beloved pastor’s service to the people of Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln. They described several examples of how well Father Decaen knew his people and saw Christ in each of them.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederick Ozanam, in imitation of St. Vincent de Paul. The international organization is comprised of lay persons – known as “Vincentians” – whose objectives involve them in social and charitable work through service to the poor. Membership is open to anyone wishing to live the faith by loving and serving their neighbor. The group exists to serve those in need with compassion, dignity, and generosity, while improving the spirituality of its members and developing friendships among them and those they serve.
The Society’s charitable services are administered through a network of parish volunteer groups called “conferences.” Their ministry, through person-to-person contact, encompasses every form of aid that alleviates suffering and promotes the dignity and integrity of mankind. It serves everyone regardless of creed, opinion, color or origin. In the city of Lincoln, Vincentian volunteers answer calls for aid that come in through the Society’s Help Line at 402-435-7968.
Needs Vincentians often help address include emergency food or shelter, household items, utility assistance, medical or prescription needs.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was started in the Diocese of Lincoln in June 6, 1988, where the first conference was instituted at St. Mary Parish in Lincoln.
