SVdP Diocesan Council

The Diocesan Council is the St. Vincent de Paul organization supporting and coordinating the work of all the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul in the Columbus, Ohio Diocese. Conferences are the local unit of our organization, most often organized at the parish level. Council membership comes from members of the conferences. The fifty-three currently active conferences are organized into four District Councils.

We is located at 5969 E. Main St. Columbus, Ohio, 43213. Contact us:
By phone:    614-376-3604

By email:  Administrative Assistant: Gerard Dolci [email protected]

   Council President: Deb Zabloudil [email protected]

Council Projects

The Diocesan Council helps Conferences address the needs of the poor. The Council provides:

• Gatherings for spiritual growth and friendship
  • Top Hat Award Mass and Dinner 
    
  • Sunday of Recollection (watch for further information due to coronavirus restrictions)
  • September: Friends of the Poor Walk/Run  
  • December: the Bishop’s Appreciation Mass.

• Training for members,
  • Bridges out of Poverty Construct Training 
  • Ozanam Training for new members of our Conferences
  • Presidents’ Training
  • Home Visit Training

• Support and counsel for conferences, which includes:
  • Voice of the Poor the legislative advocacy activity focused on issues impacting our neighbors who are living in poverty
    
  • Diocesan Council Web Site

• Special Works of the Council
  • Funeral Fund, offering a supportive donation for those who die with no means for burial.
  • Bishop Griffin Resource Center is a food pantry and social service center serving our neighbors living in poverty on Columbus' far East side.
  • Housing Facilities in Newark OH include a men’s shelter with a food pantry and thrift store.
  • Transitional Housing for Men in Delaware County will house men being released from prison, jail or drug treatment. The house will be staffed to help men transition to life after incarceration.

The Diocesan Council differs from the Conferences because we have no Fifth Sunday collections. We rely on the conferences, and occasional grants for funding. Volunteers from the conferences provide staffing for our ministries. 

Diocesan Vincentians serve on the Council Board. Current board membership is:

Diocesan Council Officers:

• President: Deb Zabloudil
• 1st Vice-President: Jerry Nieman
• 2nd Vice-President: Nancy Thatcher
• Recording Secretary: vacant
• Treasurer: Janet Jobko
• Finance Committee: Erin Morris
• Formation Committee: Warren Wright
• At Large - Young Adult: Open
• Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Charles Klinger

Directors - District Council Presidents:

• Central: Frank Fullin 
• Franklin East: Jim Emley
• Franklin West: vacant
• North: Danita Podach

Committee Chairs:

• Ozanam Orientation: Warren Wright
• Voice for the Poor: Alejandra Leon
  
• Youth: Open
• Friends of the Poor Walk: Jim Williams 
• Publicity: 

Administrative Staff:

• Administrative Assistant: Gerard Dolci
• Thrift Store Coordinator: Bob Zabloudil
• Bishop Griffin Resource Center: Nancy DeRoberts-Moore