Society of St. Vincent de Paul members provide support to neighbors in need
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues its outreach to people facing eviction or utility shutoffs, with volunteers making home visits across the Diocese of Wichita, according to an April 29 report.
The work is part of ongoing charitable efforts within the diocese, which seeks to address urgent needs among community members. The organization emphasizes person-to-person contact and relationship-building as key aspects of its mission.
Joyce Lies, secretary for the St. Patrick Catholic Church conference in Kingman, said, “As the door opens, we step aside and let Jesus enter first.” She added that this approach helps volunteers truly listen and respond to those seeking help: “That’s what it is all about. We do what Jesus would have us do.”
Conferences have been established in several parishes since autumn 2022 following encouragement from local pastors. Laypeople carry out visits regardless of faith background. Christine Schmidt, president of the Garden City conference—the only one in the Diocese of Dodge City—said, “It’s more than just handing out a check and helping them to pay their rent. It’s developing a relationship and letting them know that somebody cares about them.” Schmidt explained that those receiving assistance are called “neighbors” rather than clients.
Audree Gottlob, president of the Winfield conference, reported that no one has been turned away due to lack of funds. Needs range from rent and utilities to food and transportation. Conferences set guidelines for assistance amounts but often collaborate when larger needs arise.
According to Jim Ernstmann, council president for the Wichita district, there were about 17 active conferences in 2025 carrying out 1,471 home visits and providing $740,748 in rent and utility assistance—a decrease in visits but an increase in financial aid compared with 2024.
The Diocese of Wichita engages in charitable efforts through Catholic Charities according to its official website. The diocese operates 90 parishes and missions along with 37 schools according to its official website. Its ministries focus on marriage and family life programs as well as social justice initiatives according to its official website. The diocese covers 25 counties across south-central and southeast Kansas according to its official website.
Schmidt said charity work comes with challenges but emphasized careful growth: “Charity work doesn’t come without a challenge,” she said while describing ongoing collaboration between conferences.
As each visit concludes Lies noted members always ask if they may pray together: “No one has ever said no,” she said.
