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 89th 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 90th 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.
It certainly was true for St. Vincent de Paul, because it was in his later years that he accomplished his most amazing works.
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.
In her acts of charity, Lourdez has indeed found Christ. Her husband Cliff Russell has supported her Vincentian works and is a Vincentian himself. Today we thank Cliff for his support and his service to the community.
At the SVdP Annual Meeting, July 14, at Incarnation Parish, Palmira Perea-Hay was presented with a certificate of appreciation by the St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocesan Council. Palmira is from St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Conference in Albuquerque.
The Council recognized her efforts in promoting Fellowship and Friendship by hosting quarterly fellowship meetings for Deanery A, B, and C in the Albuquerque area. Here members get to pray, get to know each other and exchange best practices. (while enjoying a cup of coffee).
Friendship is one of the essentials elements of Vincentian life and spiritual growth. Palmira a Vincentian at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande who has served as conference president and dedicated member for over ten years.
Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served, because in them Vincentians see the face of Christ.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, New Mexico is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations to the Society are tax-deductible.