Our Programs

Holy Cross Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul 

Report to Holy Cross Parish, FY 2023

The Holy Cross St. Vincent de Paul Conference (SVdP) is an all-volunteer Catholic lay charity that helps poor and homeless persons in Las Cruces.  

How We Help:  The Holy Cross SVdP Conference has a Financial Assistance Program, a Homeless Assistance Program,and Thrift Store.  The Financial Assistance Program is funded through Sunday collections at Holy Cross, and from sales at the Thrift Store. In 2023, Holy Cross Parishioners contributed $22,552 to St. Vincent de Paul, and 100% of these funds were used for Financial Assistance.

Our Thrift Store enables us to provide clothing, furniture, and household items to the poor and needy in our community, using a voucher system.  Merchandise is also sold at modest prices and the income is used to support Financial Assistance to the poor and material assistance to the homeless. To learn more, pick up one of our brochures in the Church foyer.  To request assistance call 575-649-0406 or inquire at the Holy Cross office. We also have a website where you can learn more about us and request assistance, at www.stvincentdepaullascruces.com.

Assistance Provided to the Poor and Homeless in 2023:

·  We provided $67,246 in financial assistance for 298 families in Las Cruces (an average of $226 per family).

·  Holy Cross SVdP gave out vouchers that can be redeemed at the Thrift Store, which helped 650 people (including 270 children) receive clothing, furniture, or household items.  

·  St. Genevieve’s SVdP gave out vouchers to the Thrift Store that helped 212 people (including 106 children).

·  The Thrift Store is located near the Community of Hope, and we helped 425 homeless persons with items such as clothing, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, backpacks, and hygiene products.

·  The used value of merchandise given out through our voucher program was $30,093. 

·  In the past year a total of 1,290 people were helped with direct financial aid or in-kind services by the Holy Cross St. Vincent de Paul ministry.

All-Volunteer Ministry Collaboration:  A total of 30 Parishioners from Holy Cross, Our Lady of Health, Our Lady of Purification, Santa Rosa de Lima, St. Albino, St. Genevieve, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Albert the Great and several members of the Faith Baptist Church contributed 9,602 hours of volunteer work in the past year to provide Holy Cross SVdP services.  

How You Can Help:  We have a tremendous need for Volunteers. Also, we need donations of your unneeded furniture and household items at the Thrift Store. To schedule a pickup of your furniture donation, contact the Thrift Store at 575-527-4041. The Thrift Store is located at 125 E. Idaho Avenue and is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, and also in the morning on the first Saturday of each month.  

Grateful For YOU !  We are able to help our neighbors in Las Cruces because of the generous financial and material support of parishioners at Holy Cross. As always, we are especially grateful to Father Richard Catanach, who is our Spiritual Advisor and a Friend to the Poor. 

On that day, O Lord, when I finally stand before You to give an account of my life, I pray I will hear You say, “Come, O good and faithful servant to share your Father’s joy, for when I was hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, ill and imprisoned, you offered your gifts in charity, and you lovingly did it for Me.” Amen.