“To serve rather than be served in humility, simplicity and charity.”
Ladies of Charity of Central Alabama (LCCA)
The Ladies of Charity of Central Alabama (LCCA) is a community-based association of women working together against poverty. Its motto is “To serve rather than be served in humility, simplicity and charity.” The Ladies of Charity was the first organization founded by St. Vincent de Paul over 400 years ago in France to serve the poor. The Vincentian model is a model for living one’s life and is the foundation of the Ladies of Charity, locally, nationally, and internationally.
The local LCCA meets the first Wednesday of each month at St. Francis Xavier Church in the Joseph Room from 11:30-1:30. Activities include rosary making, lunches for the homeless, advocates for victims of domestic violence, annual Thanksgiving dinner, provides for a food pantry, spiritual formation at each meeting and offers opportunities for days of recollection.
Affiliation with the Ladies of Charity can last a lifetime.
Meetings
The Ladies of Charity have their monthly meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 11:30am in the Joseph Room.
For more information contact Jan Biasini, jbiasini01@gmail.com.
Contact Information
President: Jan Biasini, jbiasini01@gmail.om
Vice President: Kristy Thorstad, kristythorstad@gmail.com
Past President: Marlys Giles, marlygil@aol.com
Treasurer: Carol Sauer, cssauer@aol.com
Communications Secretary: Dora Brandt, brandtd@bellsouth.net
Recording Secretary: Melanie Monti
History
The seeds of the Ladies of Charity were planted by Saint Vincent de Paul over 400 years ago in 1617 at Chatillon-les-Dombes in the mountainous region of eastern France. With the assistance of Saint Louise de Marillac, the seeds germinated and took root in the French countryside and then throughout the world. In 1857, the first Ladies of Charity association was formed in the United States to continue the work of Vincent and Louise. The number of associations grew, and in 1960 a national organization was formed for consistency and to strengthen the bonds of charity.
Ministries & Activities
Makes rosaries for Ascension Hospital, Birmingham Chapel, Bruno Cancer Center, SFX Church, and by special requests.
- Thousands of rosaries hand-made by the Ladies for Hospital Cancer Centers, NICU, Chapels, Chaplains, Parish Church, OCIA, First Communicants, and teen groups.
- Lunches (70) made by the Ladies monthly for the Friars Poor of Jesus to deliver to street homeless.
- Snack bags for schoolchildren prepared and delivered monthly, and snacks donated to SFX School
- Donations of food to the Food Pantries at St. Barnabas and Holy Rosary parishes, quarterly and holidays.
- Annual Thanksgiving Dinners (120+) prepared for pickup and/or delivered for persons/families who are alone.
- Thanksgiving meals for the homeless (70) and the local Women’s Shelter residents (60).
- Christmas craft and Christmas cookie decorating at Women’s Shelter.
- Baskets of household items for Shelter women transitioning to self-sufficient apartments.
- Vincentian Spiritual Moderators’ 12-hour formation program.
- Annual Day of Recollection.
- Monthly membership meetings provide spiritual formation with speakers occasionally invited to discuss current topics of interest and charity work.
- Financial support to needy in collaboration with St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Spiritual and financial support provided when requested to individuals in crisis. Additionally, donations to the Daughters of Charity Mission Ministry, as well as contributions to disaster relief efforts.
- Collaboration with the National and International Ladies of Charity
Why Join the Ladies of Charity?
- Become a member of the Vincentian Family modeling and following in the footsteps of founders Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac.
- Serve the poor by working with them side by side.
- Develop a closer relationship with Christ through spiritual formation and service.
- Become a member of a worldwide service organization. The Ladies of Charity is active in 51 countries as part of the International Association of Charities (AIC).
- Gain lifelong friends in service with your fellow Ladies of Charity
