Vincentians befriending neighbors in need for 10 years

At 10 years old, the Diocese of Rapid City Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is flourishing.

In June 2015 two representatives of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul came to the Diocese of Rapid City at the invitation of then-Bishop Robert Gruss. Jeanne Harper, Marinette, Wisc., and Jay Schmallen, Fargo, N.D., wanted to see at least three conferences started in the Rapid City area. A conference is a group of 6-8 people in a parish who pray to discern an unmet need in the community. Harper said, “We treat the poor with the utmost respect, so their dignity remains intact.” By April 2016 three conferences were established under the umbrella of the Diocese Rapid City Council.

Harper explained the organization does not proselytize, but if asked, members will share their faith and the gospel message. Volunteers undergo Ozanam Training before ministering in pairs (see history below). Also, they take diocesan Safe Environment training, have background checks and sign confidentiality agreements. No money changes hands, goods or services that need to be purchased are handled through vouchers or checks written directly to landlords or utilities.

The five diocesan conferences in the local council include: 1) the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Conference — Cathedral; St. Joseph, New Underwood; Blessed Sacrament, St. Isaac Jogues, and St. Therese all of Rapid City; 2) Piedmont; 3) St. Francis, Sturgis — St. Mary, Newell; 4) St. Joseph, Spearfish — St. Paul, Belle Fourche; 5) St. Patrick, Lead — St. Ambrose, Deadwood. In Spearfish, the conference presidents operate a thrift store to help raise funds for all five conferences.

Rita Dupres, a Rapid City member, said the Rapid City OLPH Conference serves most of western South Dakota. The society helps with food, clothing, prescriptions, furniture, gasoline, bus transportation, rent, and utilities. According to Dupres, 90% of the people are helped in and around Rapid City because that is where the population is highest. Rapid City’s finance report shows in 2025, 5,794 people were helped utilizing $211,768.75 in donations. The bulk of the money goes toward preventing evictions. To make the most of Rapid City resources society representatives meet monthly with local charities and agencies to stay current on referral opportunities.

“Our friends are always grateful,” she said, recalling one of her favorite visits to a tiny trailer where inhabitants had asked for food help. “A little boy about 3-years old lit up when he saw a box of Fruit Loops and said, ‘these are for me?’ A little tear ran down his cheek. It touched me like you cannot believe. I thought ‘today I say the face of God.’”

Over the last two years, the OLPH Conference volunteers have been facilitating a systemic change workshop called, “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World.” The workshop graduates met with the City of Rapid City Water department in an attempt to clarify the water bill, reduce the late fees and fees to turn water back on. Also, they streamlined the process for when SVDP assists with the water bill. The investigation found that those in poverty paid $732,000 in fees over a one year period. The City of Rapid City employees even hosted a fundraiser to help the society raise money.

Conferences meet twice a month for prayer, discussion and business. The Rapid City Council is open to starting conferences in other diocesan towns. To learn more or ask for help in Rapid City call the helpline at 605-718-5896.

International History
St. Vincent de Paul of France was ordained a priest in 1600. He devoted his ministry to diminishing the suffering of the poor. He founded the Congregation of the Mission. With Louise de Marillac he co-founded the Daughters of Charity. Blessed Rosalie Rendu entered the Daughters of Charity in 1802. She mentored Blessed Frederic Ozanam on how to visit the poor. He and six college companions founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1833. They had been challenged by a Protestant to do more than discuss their faith. After two years of working to live their faith they wrote the “Rule of the Society of St. Vincent” which has been updated and is still used today. By 1845 the society had spread across Europe and half of the United States.