The Pope Francis Charitable Trust Fund is changing lives in East Tennessee
By The St. John Neumann Parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference
In a world where many people face sudden hardship and quiet despair, in addition to the generous support from our parishioners, the support of the Pope Francis Charitable Trust Fund has been a lifeline for the St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) ministry at St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut.
These funds—rooted in Pope Francis’ call to “go to the peripheries” and serve with mercy—have allowed volunteers to respond swiftly and compassionately to some of the community’s most urgent needs.
Each week, the St. John Neumann St. Vincent de Paul team answers the phone, not knowing who will be on the other end. What is known is that because of this fund, the team can show up with presence, with prayer, and when needed, with tangible help.
Over the past several months, that help has taken many forms.
The ministry has kept the lights on for seniors living on fixed incomes, provided motel stays for neighbors recovering from hospitalization or fleeing violence, and assisted working parents struggling to bridge the gap between paychecks. In one case, a retired postal worker injured on the job faced utility disconnection during her recovery.
A small but timely contribution brought peace and preserved her housing. In another case, a young family sleeping in their car received food, supplies, and a follow-up plan thanks to the ministry’s outreach.
The St. John Neumann St. Vincent de Paul ministry has helped single mothers, such as a woman who was on bed rest awaiting the birth of her child, to regain stability by paying off overdue bills.
The ministry has supported men in recovery homes trying to stay on track, elderly women confronting overwhelming water bills, and care-givers trying to stay employed despite worn tires or health setbacks.
But sometimes the greatest impact isn’t financial.
One woman called not for money but for someone to listen and pray with her. Another man, newly housed after 20 years of homelessness, asked ministry volunteers to pause and pray with him in gratitude before unpacking donated household goods.
That moment moved everyone to tears, a testament to the power of presence and compassion.
What these stories share in common is not just need but resilience. Each person served is trying—and fighting—to stay housed, to recover, to feed their children, to believe that someone cares.
And because of the Pope Francis Charitable Trust Fund, the ministry is able to say: We do care. You are not alone.
This ministry thrives on collabo ration. From All Saints Parish to Compassion Coalition and beyond, the network of care grows stronger with every act of kindness. And yet, it is your support—through prayer, through giving, through simply caring—that sustains this work.
Every call, every visit, every act of mercy reflects the Gospel in action.
The Pope Francis Charitable Trust Fund has allowed the St. John Neumann St. Vincent de Paul ministry to be the hands and feet of Christ in the Knoxville community, not just speaking words of hope—but living them.
From everyone at SVDP St. John Neumann, thank you. Together, we are answering the call to serve—one person, one family, and one act of love at a time.