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.
Fatima is going into her first year in college and is from Macon, Georgia. She began volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul when she was a freshman in high school. Fatima attends meetings at her Adult Conference and is in charge of making Hope Cards for our Friends in Need. She handwrites and designs all of the cards, estimating about 200 given to our Friends in Need. For her St. Vincent de Paul was “like my interpersonal gateway into highschool as to finding myself and everything because at first I was not even sure what I wanted to do, but I knew there were a lot of homeless and so I knew I wanted to do something about that and so when I was introduced into them, I loved St. Vincent de Paul.”
Aside from her role in creating Hope Cards, Fatima has taken the initiative to expand the Society’s reach. She actively promotes SVdP by delivering pulpit talks at her Church and collaborating with her high school founder of extracurriculars to ensure more students will continue to have Youth involvement, service hours, and an impact on their community by staying connected to the Adult Conference Fatima is a member of, even though Fatima will be in college.
When asked about the needs she sees in her community, among other things, Fatima recognized the need for more young people within the Society and mentioned how she has encouraged others to join her. She also sees the significance of preserving our Friends in Need’s dignity as she wants to “help them in a way that is love. We do not want to force them to say yes because they are in poverty, but help them in a way that they know they are family and are respected.”
Fatima also greatly appreciated the Conference meetings; she said they felt “like a second Sunday after Sunday because our meetings are typically on Mondays.” She understands the significance of the essential element of spirituality and finds joy and regard for integrating spirituality and the Vincentian charism in her daily life. Fatima cherished her time with her Adult Conference, and their help in her spiritual growth: “St. Vincent de Paul…has enriched my faith so much, and it was kind of like a God-send; it was the little nudge, like this was my place.”
As she transitions to university life at Georgia Tech, where she plans to study Business Administration, Fatima’s commitment to SVdP remains unwavering. She wants to stay connected with the Society and is considering starting a University Conference. With art and writing being her passions, she aims to contribute by creating websites and social media content to promote St. Vincent de Paul and the impact of our mission. Her dedication and continuity in service are truly admirable.
Rooted in spirituality, Fatima has gone above and beyond to serve those in need, embodying the Vincentian charism and the values of Christ-centered living. Her joy, enthusiasm, and selflessness are clear and will help her achieve her goals, not only in her future endeavors but also at St. Vincent de Paul.
Lily Sumner is from West Point, Kentucky, and partners with St. Vincent de Paul while running her own non-profit, Wrapped in God’s Warmth. Lily started her non-profit in sixth grade; she wanted to better serve her community by providing seasonal kits to those on the street with various essentials for said season. Lily is a friend of the Society as she brings those kits to SVdP to distribute, and she appreciates the Catholic values and how St. Vincent de Paul “makes such a big impact in such a formal and God-driven way.”
Lily wants to help others grow and recognizes her community’s many needs. She understands and values the importance of partnerships and supporting one another while helping our Friends in Need, “It really takes a whole community to even help one person get back on their feet. I really want people to find that drive, that hope to continue and grow.”
Lily has experience in communications, promoting social media content, and coordinating various talk shows and newsletters. As a Future Business Leader of America (FBLA), she values effective communication and has wonderful skills in speaking and leadership. Her experience with FBLA and being the National Southern Region’s Media Director demonstrates her creativity, determination, and resourcefulness, qualities that will undoubtedly help her pursue her aspirations.
She plans to stay connected with the Society as she attends Louisville University, a few blocks from an SVdP Special Works campus, including a food pantry and housing. She also is in contact with an Adult Conference close to her university campus to further her friendship and Vincentian formation.
Staying in Louisville, she wants to continue impacting and giving back to the community that raised her. Lily expressed her desire to better communicate with those in her community who speak Spanish and genuinely be a helping hand. By minoring in Spanish, she recognizes the profound importance of language in bridging cultures, “Spanish is really big here, and to have people at St. Vincent de Paul who can help people who are struggling and who speak another language is so beautiful to see the cultures merge.” Lily embodies the spirit of compassion and resilience, dedicating herself to inspiring others and creating a lasting impact on those around her.
Lily is an eager Young Adult with many aspirations and ideas on how to better serve our Friends in Need. She also has a business to help people better understand morals and ethics, the value of Catholic teachings, and how they can find employment that fits their skill set. Her dedication, innovation, and zeal are key aspects of her character, making her a standout Nominee and a promising leader within St. Vincent de Paul.
Recap Video of NCR! Thank you, Tyler for putting this together!
YYAEL Committee and Emerging Leaders Team members, Andre, Tyler, and I, as well as our leader, Linda, attended and presented at the North Central Region Meeting 2025. We are all so grateful to Susan Wiland, North Central Region RVP, for her kindness and willingness to involve us as presenters and attendees in the meeting. Thank you to all those for welcoming and including us at your North Central Regional Meeting, especially Wayne, Ed, Sue, and Mary! Your efforts and dedication made for a wonderful meeting.
We had the honor of taking photos for the Meeting and the QR code to view the photos is in the recap video!
Wednesday, June 11
Andre and Tyler arrived early Wednesday morning, so we were able to prepare for our Immersion Fest, which was planned for June 25-28. Susan kindly invited us to have dinner (lunch) with her, so we enjoyed a nice meal and conversation. Thank you, Susan, for taking the time to chat with us!
After some more planning and discussion for the Immersion Fest, shipping some YYAEL merch and supplies for the Southeast Regional meeting, and exploring the Nature Reserve by our hotel, we boarded a bus to watch the Minnesota Twins versus the Texas Rangers. Andre brought baseball gloves for him and Tyler, in hopes of catching a baseball, but that did not happen–maybe a different time! Although we were afraid of it raining, it held off and it made for a very comfortable temperature and enjoyable time. Afterwards, we stopped and picked up a few snacks for the entire weekend and then headed for bed.
Dinner with SusanShipping YYAEL SuppliesGrowing in Friendship!
Thursday, June 12
Beginning with the Rosary, it set a powerful and uplifting tone for the day. We set-up our table and had some wonderful conversations with Vincentians. The socks, sunglasses, and stickers were a success–we did not bring any back with us!
At 10:30, Michael Acaldo started his keynote: How We are Called to Be a Beacon of Light. He talked about an amazing and incredible Vincentian named Rosie, who truly embodied Vincentian virtues and being a beacon of light to those he served and encountered.
After lunch, we heard from Connor Flanagan and his inspiring encounters that made him the person he is today. His main message was impactful: the joy of the Lord is our strength, we find this joy in the gifts and talents God gives us, and we must tap into them.
Andre said this about his favorite workshop, “My favorite workshop from the weekend was either Just Ask 2.0 or the Spiritual Retreat led by Connor Flanagan. I liked both of them because they included humor and stories, and they related to me in some way. I have played both football and basketball and with Connor’s stories, I was able to relate to these experiences and realize it is more than a sport; God can work in many ways.”
Tim Williams, Reverend Larry Syner, and Mary Beth Fuller all discussed the dignity of the human person along with how our Catholic Social Teachings go hand and hand with St. Vincent de Paul. Mary Beth Fuller emphasized the significance of mental health ministry and how we, as Vincentians, can be more aware of this.
Once these amazing and informative workshops concluded, we attended the Host City Event at the Mall of America. We were able to explore and visit some exciting stores. We captured many great bingo memories and enjoyed wonderful stories from fellow Vincentians. After a short recap video and hunt for a stapler, we slept awaiting Friday, our presenting day.
Table PrepConnor Flanagan
Friday, June 13
Once again starting our day off with Rosary, we centered ourselves before our presentation: Perspectives on Youth and Young Adults in SVdP. Thank you to all who attended our workshop and your interest in promoting Youth and Young Adults in the Society! For YYA to flourish at its fullest, committed Conference Coaches are needed; your support and flexibility are essential.
YYAEL Polos with Tim!
The rest of Friday was filled with descriptive and impactful workshops; we attended the other two Youth and Young Adult focused workshops where we heard some impressive dedication and zeal.
It was then time for Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary. We all rode on buses to the stunning place of worship. It was so great to talk with fellow Vincentians on the bus ride–it is special to hear about everyone’s unique and moving stories and how they became a Vincentian and why. Tyler, Andre and I had the honor of being gift bearers and when we walked around the Basilica, we saw a sign indicating SVdP Ministries had been there since 1988.
At St. Mary’s Basilica Gift Bearers
Once Mass concluded, we rode the bus on a mini tour of Minneapolis and where their SVdP thrift stores are located. Arriving back at the hotel, we had a nice meal and even better conversation. Thank you to all who made this memorable night happen!
Saturday, June 14
After Rosary, we attended a general session titled The Offering of Letters: Advocating for an End to Hunger. Tyler, Andre, and I helped hand out the letters, specific to each state for Vincentians to write on and sign. After all the letters were collected, Deacon Don blessed the letters so that they could be sent in the mail afterwards.
Next, was Just Ask 2.0, a wonderful session done by Chris McCarthy. We all found this talk inspiring; Tyler captured our feelings well when he remarked, “Out of all the wonderful talks we listened to this weekend, the one that spoke to me most was Just Ask 2.0 by Christine McCarthy. This talk was really inspiring because it showed that just simply asking or making a request can have a huge impact. We often say that The Society is “the best kept secret of the church” but if we can get out there and be bold, incredible things can and will happen.”
The third speakers were Reverend Greg and Ed Koerner. They spoke about the amazing Success Through Twinning between SVdP in Minneapolis and Venezuela; their stories were heartfelt and truly embodied the significance of friendship and service to those in need.
After lunch and the raffle, where Tyler won a signed image of Brett Favre, we heard from Ralph Middlecamp and Letters from a Young Frédéric Ozanam. We were pleasantly surprised when Tim Williams appeared as Frédéric Ozanam to help read “his” letters to various friends and family.
Susan Wiland then ended the meeting with an eloquent send off with reminders and well-wishes.
We cannot wait to see you all next year, and we thank you again for your kindness and welcome!
Raffle Winner with Only Entering One Ticket!
Blessing of Letters“Frédéric Ozanam”Just Ask 2.0
Some final remarks on this meeting:
Andre reflected, “We are the beacon of hope, and we should always act out of love. There are a lot of ministries that can be brought back home to California. I really appreciated one of the vendors who collected religious artifacts and gave them out for free, and I would like to potentially bring that mission into my life at home. I selected a cross with the St. Benedict Medallion and a Jesus icon. As the Spiritual Advisor of ELT and my Youth Conference in California, this vendor motivated me to find new ways to engage and stay rooted in our essential element, spirituality.”
Tyler’s highlight from the meeting was this, “My biggest takeaway from this regional meeting was to see the person first. This message was covered very well by many of our keynote speakers. It urges us to see our neighbors as children of God, instead of seeing them as the affliction they’re going through whether it be poverty, mental illnesses, or anything else. It really goes back to our calling to see the Face of Christ in those we serve, and as Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25:40).”
Zoie noted, “Having presented at two other regional meetings before NCR, it was wonderful to be at my “home” region for our final regional presentation. I greatly enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces, and I could just feel the Vincentian friendship alive. The theme for this year’s meeting was motivating and one I will cherish. All the general sessions were moving and opened my eyes to novel concepts; I am looking forward to next year!”
Some of our favorite photos!
Letters from Frédéric Ozanam
We asked Vincentians at NCR to write a kind and positive message to all Youth and Young Adults. Here’s some of our favorites. 🤍
Put it on your calendars! Two dates for Zoom gatherings have been selected.
First, a few members from YYAEL will be hosting a Conference Coaches’ Call via Zoom for all adults who help or want to help with Youth and Young Adults on Thursday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. CDT. (Recording available using the QR code above!) We will have time for discussion and questions. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Conference Caches and have some of your questions answered. We hope to see all of our Conference Coaches there and those interested in starting a Youth, Youth University or Young Adults Conference!
Second, a Youth and Young Adult Hangout will be on July 13 @ 7 pm CDT! All Youth and Young Adults are invited to join us in spirituality and friendship! Adults are welcome to join but this is a time for the Youth and Young Adults so please save your questions for Conference Coaches’ Calls. We are so excited to host the third YYA Hangout of 2025, so put it on your calendars and join us!
