St. Vincent de Paul Santa Clara County

Once a year, Vincentians (as volunteers belonging to the Society of St Vincent de Paul are called) gather to celebrate their past year of service to those in need throughout the county. The evening of reflection, celebration, and fellowship is started with Mass. Then comes dinner followed by awards to individuals who have served those in their community in a remarkable fashion,

For the second year in a row, St. Mary's hosted the event which started at 6 pm with Mass in the church celebrated by Bishop McGrath along with concelebrants Monsignor Cilia, and Fathers Justin Zawadski, Richard Hilliard, and Robert Moran. Deacon Don Sifferman, a Vincentian, also participate in the Mass.

After Mass, the Vincentians gathered in Hawley Hall where they were provided with a wonderful buffet comprised of many exotic dishes that were donated by several restaurants in Sunnyvale. Vincentian John Emmitt of St. Cyprian's pooled his resources and was able to provide food from a variety of restaurants, definitely adding an exotic flavor to the evening.

After dinner, the accomplishments of the past fiscal year were discussed by Mindy Harada as well as items to look forward to in the coming fiscal year. Mindy then surprised outgoing Board President John Baker with an award commemorating his two and a half years of service on the Board and to the Council.

Baker had the joy of providing awards to the following Vincentians:

Art Gonsalves, St John Vianney, Years of Service
Michael Brockman, Resurrection, Junior Vincentian
Fran Whitney, St. Francis Cabrini, Top Hat Award
Laura Kinney, St Joseph's Mountain View, Top Hat Award
Stan Fitzgerald, St Francis Assissi, Top Hat Award
Fr. Dan Germann, SJ, Posthumous Ozanam Award and Medallion
Dianne Stocking, St. Clare's, Ozanam Award and Medallion

To conclude the evening, incoming President Tammy Pottorff was welcomed during the Commissioning Ceremony as she assumed office. She has a tough act to follow in John Baker but Tammy is up to the challenge!