Gabriel Seril is from San Ramon, California and is the Secretary for Vincentians of the Arc Youth Conference. Though he has a soft-spoken countenance, he finds it especially important to seek out the lonely, the isolated, the new-comers, and make them feel welcomed and appreciated. He has been a Vincentian since 2024 and has an inspiring outlook, “I love helping others, serving others, but I like doing it through St. Vincent de Paul because it was doing that through Christ.”
Being the Secretary of his Youth Conference, Gabriel considers himself a scribe of sorts and uses that knowledge to help plan, coordinate, and remind his fellow Vincentians of ideas for various service projects. His experiences with planning and organizing service projects to better serve those in his community is a significant and beneficial skill. One of the most recent service projects he helped his Youth Conference plan was a book drive for his local community. His leadership skills shine as he prefers to manage, delegate, and ensure people are working towards a similar goal most efficiently. His skills as Secretary, organizing and planning, and interest in website design and development of creative ideas have made him a stellar Nominee, one who drives collaboration and fosters a culture of innovation.
With a thoughtful observation, Gabriel recognizes the struggles of keeping Youth and Young Adults after they have been Confirmed and feels that St. Vincent de Paul can help provide those Youth and Young Adults with a purpose and community to interact with. He wants to “help people find time in their own time to serve others because people say they are busy, but I think there still can be time to serve, and I would want to help other people find that time.”
Gabriel’s dedication to the Vincentian community is steady and consistent. He plans to be a lifelong Vincentian, already making arrangements to attend Adult Conference meetings and learn more about visiting our Friends in Need. His experiences with St. Vincent de Paul, he said, “has opened my eyes to those struggling. It has given me that constant reminder to always be looking out for these people in need.” He cherishes his time spent engaging with our Friends in Need and has the beautiful desire to keep coming back and serving, hoping to make an impact in their lives, even if it is as simple as a kind word or action.
He applies the Vincentian charism to his daily life, finding a balance in spirituality, friendship, and service, just as he believes everyone should. His commitment to the Vincentian community is a testament to his belief in its mission and values, “I love that SVdP has spirituality, friendship, and service as their pillars. I think it is just a balance that you should have in your life as well.”
In a world that often celebrates noise, Gabriel stands out for his quiet faithfulness. His servant leadership and persistent commitment to living out the Gospel through action has made him a superb Nominee.