Photo Caption: Charlie and Sue Laurenti of St. Jude’s Parish in Peoria recommit to the goals of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul during a Sept. 23 Mass celebrated by Bishop Jenky at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul throughout the Diocese of Peoria were acclaimed as “heroes of our faith” on Sunday by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC.

Bishop Jenky led about 80 Vincentians in a commissioning ceremony during the 10:30 a.m. Mass last Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.

Among the promises made by Society members were “to be a witness of Christ’s boundless love for the poor, the lonely, the suffering and deprived, those without faith and those who feel unloved.”

“You do the corporal works of mercy throughout our communities,” noted Bishop Jenky in welcoming remarks. “You inspire the rest of us to be givers and servers.”

The bishop noted he formerly worried that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was “dying out” as committed Vincentians aged. But the Society has enjoyed new growth in recent years, thanks in part to the involvement of new members who had taken part in the 30-week JustFaith immersion into the church’s teaching on social justice.

“I have encouraged every parish in our diocese to have a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, and certainly every region to have one,” said Bishop Jenky. The members present asked for the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the Society’s founder, to fill their hearts “so that we will grow in spirituality, friendship, and service to our suffering brothers and sisters.”