Good News and Top Hats from St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

Vincentians from St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County gathered this summer to celebrate the work done to help those in need. The Top Hat Award is the highest recognition in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, presented to those who exemplify what it means to live the mission of helping those in need.

Rick Richardson, president of the Hope Conference; Gwen Watson of Christ the King Conference; Larry and Patty Lynch of the St. David of Wales Conference; and Doris Snyder, St. John Vianney Conference, are honored by St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County.

Rick Richardson: Rick has been an active Vincentian for more than 35 years. He was inspired to start a conference in his home parish of St. Album in St. Louis after "accidentally" visiting the St. Vincent de Paul Chapel in Paris, where the remains of St. Vincent de Paul are venerated. During his tenure at St. Albans, including serving as council president, they built a homeless shelter and served the needs of the poor. After moving to California, Rick joined the conference at St. Joan of Arc in San Ramon, where he continues his Vincentian ministry. Additionally, he served at the District Council level, including two terms as president during a tumultuous time in our history. Rick is the president of the Hope Conference, which he, along with a few others, helped establish in 1998. Rick served the community as executive director of Loaves and Fishes from 2000-2010. His vocation as a Vincentian is an inspiration.

Gwen Watson, Christ the King Conference: Gwen has been instrumental in ensuring families do not end up on the street. Working at the Hope Conference alongside Rick Richardson is just one more good work in Gwen's belt. Gwen was quintessential in setting up the Winter Nights homeless program and the Winter Nights Daytime Homeless Shelter at the St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County Family Resource Center.

Larry & Patty Lynch, St. David of Wales Conference: Larry and Patty Lynch are Vincentians. They are the perfect examples of what it means to be a Vincentian. They have always felt, taught, and modeled the Home Visit with our neighbors in need is the core of our St. Vincent de Paul Society. At times, Larry and Patty do multiple Home Visits in a day. Each home visit might take an hour or two at the neighbor's home, but that is just the start of the hours of ongoing support, including completing the paperwork needed for an application for assistance. They always bring food and hygiene kits to give the families a list of SVdP places where they can get free food and other help. Larry and Patty are true blessings to West County. Their compassion and dedication to helping those in need inspires us, reminding us what it truly means to be a Vincentian.

Doris Snyder, St. John Vianney Conference. In her nearly 20 years as a Vincentian, Doris has not only proved to be an invaluable member as treasurer for many years but is one of her conference's most prolific home visitors, partly due to her being bilingual and her willingness to go on home visits where a Spanish-speaking Vincentian is needed. In addition, she manages our conference's Christmas Angel Tree program, coordinating neighbor in need interviews, parishioner involvement, and distribution of gifts and food to needy families every year. She also coordinates the Back-to-School program and is instrumental in keeping the database updated. Doris has deep Vincentian ties and influences as two of her aunts were nuns in the order of the Daughters of Charity, part of the Vincentian family. She walks the path with many families who came to St. Vincent de Paul for help, sharing their pain and being a tremendous comfort to them all.

Emmanuel Bailly President's Award Recipients:
Ed McMillan, St. Joan of Arc Conference
Bl. Rosalie Rendu Zeal for the Poor Awardees:
Denise Dal Colletto, St. Agnes
Mark MacMahon, St. John Vianney
Ed O’Toole, St. Catherine of Siena
Annie San Nicholas, Immaculate Heart of Mary
Larry Sanchez, St. Mary

St. Louise de Marillac Spiritual Advisor Award Recipient:
Audry Gonsalvez, Immaculate Heart of Mary