Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama will give the keynote address at the annual membership meeting, Spring to Life, of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta on Saturday, March 24, at St. Pius X High School.

Each year the volunteers for SVdP, called Vincentians, gather for education, inspiration and fellowship. All are invited and encouraged to attend. This year SVdP is delighted to have Bishop Zarama presenting the keynote address. He is a strong supporter of SVdP and a gifted speaker.

Attendees will come from many of the 68 parishes where SVdP serves. They will have the opportunity to participate in workshops presented by partners such as CredAbility, Wells Fargo, the Social Justice Ministry of the Atlanta Archdiocese, fellow Vincentians, and SVdP staff. Additionally, the Ozanam orientation will be offered for all, especially new members.

Along with the learning opportunities, the Top Hat award will be presented to a Vincentian who provides an outstanding example of the core Vincentian values of friendship, spirituality and service. The “Top Hat” title is used to emphasize that the Society’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, did not allow his social class, in which men wore top hats, to blind him to the needs of the poor in early nineteenth century France. Vincentians still respond in that same spirit to the needs they see in their local communities. Also, Vincentian members will be honored for their years of service.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta empowers people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or faith, to achieve self-sufficiency by offering financial, material, educational, and spiritual support and by collaborating with others to develop and deliver programs and services that help those in need.