On November 20^th, the Santa Fe Thrift Store Committee honored its most senior member, Lourdez Gonzales.   At the conclusion of their scheduled business meeting, Eva Pereira, SVdP of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Council President,  presented Lourdez with a St. Vincent de Paul certificate of appreciation for her many years of caring service. 

As part of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference of Santa Fe, Lourdez presently helps people in need at the Thrift Store Pantry on 1088 Early Street.  However, her selfless service to both her parish Community and the Santa Fe area has spanned decades.

Lourdez has served the needy since she was a young woman, and recently celebrated her 89^th birthday. During this remarkable tenure, she has contributed through many different roles, beginning with her efforts at the “Tendita”, as the Santa Fe Thrift Store was known in its early days.  

Lourdez credits her mother for inspiring her service ethic, and later, her experiences working at the New Mexico Land Office bolstered her commitment to help others. As she approaches her 90^th year, Lourdez says she now sees people’s needs with greater clarity than when she was younger, and this informs her service on their behalf.

St. Vincent de Paul tells us in his writings that when we are “seniors” we see things more clearly.

 It certainly was true for St. Vincent de Paul, because it was in his later years that he accomplished his most amazing works. 

St. John Chrysostom said “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find him in the Chalice.”

Through her countless charitable efforts, Lourdez has long placed herself as a Vincentian at Chrysostom’s metaphoric “church door”, and so has indeed found Christ by serving those in need.   Her Vincentian works have also been supported by husband, Cliff Russell, a Vincentian leader himself.  We thank both Lourdez and Cliff for their service to the Santa Fe community.

Lourdez and Cliff can be found at the Santa Fe Thrift Store Pantry Wednesdays from 10:30 to 12:30, where they organize and disburse groceries for the needy.

The Santa Fe Thrift Store Pantry serves over thirty families every week with food generously provided by Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Cristo Rey Parish, and the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral parishes.