Sarah Wenzloff is a young adult from West Dundee, Illinois. Her story as a Vincentian began when she was very young, around four or five years old. Now, as a young adult, she works diligently to serve her community and is the District Council Spiritual Advisor. She expressed her deep appreciation for the spiritual aspect of St. Vincent de Paul, “I enjoy being the Spiritual Advisor, and I really feel like there’s a lot you can contribute as a St. Vincent de Paul member (from) a spiritual aspect. There’s a lot of members in St. Vincent de Paul who feel like sometimes we can’t help out the way that we want to, like by helping with funds or living situations or temporary help, but you can always help spiritually by praying for them, guiding them, showing them that there are people who care about them, and so that where I felt my best fit as Spiritual Advisor.”
During her childhood, both of her parents were Vincentians, so while the adults had their meetings, Sarah and the other youth gathered for their own meetings. Although there was never an official youth conference, Sarah had the idea that the youth should gather as well and help with fundraisers and other events. They also assisted the adult conference in brainstorming additional ways to raise money and promote St. Vincent de Paul within their church community.
After changing parishes and moving, Sarah also wanted to teach in the Religious Education classes but remained involved with St. Vincent de Paul. Now, at her current parish, St. Catherine of Siena in West Dundee, she actively participates in the parish’s adult conference and served as its Spiritual Advisor since 2022. Now, with her father being the District Council President, by rules she can only be the District Council Spiritual Advisor, but Sarah truly enjoys being the Spiritual Advisor and helping others, both her fellow Vincentians and Friends in Need, grow in holiness. She organizes breakfasts and plans times for conference members to go to Mass together to grow in friendship and spirituality. She also ensures that her conference members understand the significance of praying before, during, and after a personal encounter, and she tries to help them recognize and meaningfully incorporate prayer into their interactions with our Friends in Need. Lastly, Sarah also organizes fundraisers for her adult conference and teaches other Vincentians the “how-to” when asking for money or donations.
Sarah’s life of serving others is not just through St. Vincent de Paul; she also works in healthcare, and she encounters many patients who do not understand the ins and outs of medical insurance or medical jargon, so she sees a great need there as well. In that, she expressed, “Being in healthcare, it allows me to first give my love, dedication, and compassion to a lot of our patients who don’t experience that…Being the face of the office, you get to be the face of Christ (to) a lot of the people you meet on a day-to-day basis.”
Lastly, Sarah shared that, growing up, although she did not immediately realize it, her family was often in need and relied on the help and guidance from St. Vincent de Paul members. Because of those experiences, her heart is always ready to serve, be the Face of Christ to others, and relate to those in need when she is serving. “When I was a kid, being around St. Vincent de Paul members who were always the Face of Christ and showing guidance and love through what they did, it made me want to be the same way now as an adult. I think just understanding what they (the Friends in Need) are going through and dealing with, I can be that light.”
Sarah’s unwavering dedication to service and spiritual growth continues to inspire everyone around her. Her example encourages us all to look for ways to serve others with the same compassion, humility, and zeal she demonstrates every day.