Brian is a soon-to-be junior from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has played a role in the Society since 2022. He was the Vice President in 2022 and is now President of the Youth Conference. He has organized and led a Children’s Coat Drive that brought in nearly 200 coats and has organized multiple drives for school-related needs. If it is not SVdP-related, Brian also works to assist in various other projects and events for his church and community. He is a voice for the voiceless; when he sees a problem, he wants to do his best to fix it. For him, “It is truly putting faith into action. We’re called to help the poor and so this is a great way to do it.”
To help coordinate and plan these drives and events, he meets with Adult and Young Vincentians alike to discuss details and develop well-rounded plans to best serve our Friends in Need and determine the actual needs in his community. He mentioned, “There are a lot of people that need food, clothing, and rent, and our immediate community is definitely in need.” Because of this, Brian works diligently with his fellow Young Vincentians at his Youth Conference to host drives and events to support the community. With each initiative he leads, he is not just creating change but building community and fostering hope.
He also finds it invaluable to continually grow in his faith life and help others grow theirs. As Vincentians, we are called to journey together towards holiness, and Brian does just that: “A huge part of [SVdP] is that it incorporates the Catholic faith, too, and that is probably the biggest part for me.” His desire to encourage those around him to grow in their prayer life is powerful.
He is an outstanding leader with many skills to coordinate and balance the timing of life events, but still impact those around him in a friendly and respectful way. He enjoys interacting with our Friends in Need. He explained, “It’s given me a lot of perspective on the struggles that people have and a greater appreciation for what other people have to go through, especially like some of the parents that are struggling to make ends meet, for, like their children, and just to see like how hard it is for them and how emotional some of these people get. I mean, it’s truly moving.” For him, it is not only faith in action, but also witnessing those he serves faces’ light up with joy that inspires him to continue serving.
When faith meets compassion, lives are transformed. Brian has faithfully served others, not for recognition, but out of deep love for Christ and His people. It is clear that Brian has a bright future ahead, and it will be amazing to see all the lives he will continue to impact along the way.