Founded in 1974, St. Damien Council 6575 is a group of over 150 Catholic men serving the Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Stirling, NJ.
From its founding in 1882, The Knights of Columbus has become an international society of more than 1.5 MILLION Catholic men in some 10,000 councils who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of Columbianism:
Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism.
St. Damien Council Fundraiser complemented by Knights of Columbus RSVP Program
Two young men from our parish, Ryan McCabe and John Conant, have answered the call to vocation and missionary service. As they embark on their journey in Mexico and Ireland, they need our support. Through the Knights of Columbus’ RSVP (Refund Support Vocations Program), we aim to provide them with both financial aid and spiritual encouragement.
These young men have asked for financial support through various means including an appeal in the St. Vincents Parish bulletin. Some brothers have already contributed directly. We would like to complement these efforts through our Council and the KofC Supreme Program.
Our goal is to raise $4,000 for both men. KofC Supreme will refund $100 for each $500 raised. Our net gift is $3200, a manageable amount for our St Damien Council. Although $2000 is only a portion of what each has requested, this financial support will help cover their educational expenses while also demonstrating our Council’s commitment to their vocation.
With our membership of over 120 brothers, even small contributions can help reach the goal before these young men leave for their studies shortly.
Please see links below for details of their religious pursuits.
Thank you and God bless.
Hello,
My name is John Conant. I am a lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. I was baptized, received my First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation here at St. Vincent’s. I am currently an altar server and have been for the past 11 years since I was in 4th grade. This past May I received my Associate Degree from the County College of Morris. As I was thinking and praying about what to do after Community College, I felt a profound calling to engage in mission work. I have accepted an opportunity to serve in Belfast, Northern Ireland through Kairos for a full year beginning this August. Kairos is an international outreach to youth, ages 13-25 for students of all Christian backgrounds. I will be working with University Christian Outreach (UCO) at Queen’s University. Some of my duties will include running prayer events, meeting with students for encouragement and formation leading Bible studies and much more. As a mission year candidate, I hope to grow in faith, my relationship with God and to help bring students and others to Jesus through my witness.
The total cost of my mission year is approximately $12,000. This amount covers my living costs, such as food and rent, transportation within Belfast, work-related expenses for our local program, social activities connected with the mission, and three annual weekend retreats. I am reaching out to ask for your support to make this mission possible. Every financial contribution, no matter the size, brings me a step closer to my goals.
If you feel called to make a monthly donation, please contact me directly by [email protected] or by phone at 908-992-5797. With your help and the grace of God, I hope my mission work will make a lasting impact on the lives of others. I am deeply grateful for any support you can provide and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
John Conant
My name is Ryan McCabe, and I am 26 years old. My family has belonged to St. Vincent de Paul parish for nearly 20 years. I went through religious education for First Communion and Confirmation and have participated and served in youth group events in the parish over the years. My faith has grown and flourished at this parish thanks to the support of our priests and the strong witness of its members. In my college years, I experienced a missionary zeal to serve the Lord among the poor in a way that would get me out of my comfort zone. Through prayer and encourage I decided to work as a full-time missionary after I graduated from NJIT. I spent two challenging and exciting years in Honduras as a full-time missionary with the Missioners of Christ. During that time, I felt the Lord’s call to the priesthood and in 2023 I decided to pursue a religious vocation. From January to July of this year I lived in Mexico City completing a postulancy program with the Brothers of St. John. The Brothers of St. John is a religious congregation founded in 1975 and based out of France. They have over 400 religious brothers in 21 countries worldwide. They run parishes, retreat centers, college campus ministries and outdoor excursion trips among other works. In September I will enter their novitiate house in Monterrey, Mexico where I will receive formation on how to be a brother. God-willing, I will take vows within two years and be ordained to the priesthood farther down the line.
In religious life I do not have a means of income. The community I am joining lives completely off donations. While this is exciting to me, I still have outstanding debt from my 4 years in college and am looking for donations to help relieve that burden. I also will need funds for my flight to Monterrey and other costs associated with moving to Mexico.
The total cost I am looking to fundraise is $4,000. If you can please donate to my Venmo @ryanmccabe3 or write me a check. You can contact me through my email [email protected] or my cell phone 908-578-5875. Any donation will be much appreciated but above all else I ask that your prayers accompany me on my journey.
God bless!
Ryan McCabe