When Joann Zadrozny retired after 31 years in the classroom — teaching in both public and parochial schools throughout Saginaw and Bay counties — she found herself at a crossroads. Her days of shaping young minds were behind her, but her heart still yearned for purpose, for connection and, most of all, for service.
“I didn’t want retirement to be passive,” Joann shares. “I wanted it to be meaningful. I prayed that God would lead me to where I was needed most.”
In 2021, Joann began spending more time at her Houghton Lake cottage, eager to build a retirement life rooted in her Catholic faith. She quickly became active in Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Prudenville and joined the Council of Catholic Women (CCW). It wasn’t long before she heard about the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and something within her stirred.
“I felt an immediate pull,” she recalls. “It was as if God had been preparing my heart all along for this kind of ministry.”
Joann began volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul, and from the very first day, she knew she had found more than just an outlet for her time — she had found a mission.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a community of hearts bound together by the light of the Gospel and the fire of divine compassion. It is a spiritual journey, walked by friends who have been inspired to
grow in holiness and walk alongside the poor, the forgotten and the broken-hearted.
The community has over 800,000 members serving the poor in 155 countries worldwide. But almost all of the work of the society happens in parish-based chapters, called conferences.
At the heart of this society are its members — called Vincentians — who respond to God's invitation to love their neighbor through humble, person-to-person service. They offer not only food to the hungry and shelter to the homeless, but also companionship, dignity and hope to those in despair.
Each week, Joann meets with individuals and families who come seeking assistance — some with urgent needs like food, rent or utility support; others simply looking for someone to listen, someone who will treat them with dignity. To each person, Joann brings not just resources but compassion, patience and genuine care.
“We don’t just hand out help — we sit with people, we listen to their stories, we pray with them. We walk with them through their struggles,” she says. “Each person is a child of God, and when they come to us, we see Christ in them.”
Joann’s dedication quickly grew beyond ordinary volunteer work. She now volunteers in the parish’s Client Department one day each week and has helped build partnerships with other local agencies to expand support for those in need. Her leadership has made a tangible impact, but even more powerful is the light she brings into every interaction.
Her passion is contagious. She speaks about the work of St. Vincent de Paul with such joy and conviction that others are naturally drawn in. Many of the volunteers now active in the parish’s ministry were introduced to the organization through Joann’s enthusiasm and personal invitation.
“What drives me is knowing that we are not just meeting physical needs — we’re restoring hope,” Joann reflects. “So many people come to us feeling forgotten, ashamed or overwhelmed. When we greet them with love, when we offer them a moment of peace and kindness, we’re reminding them that they matter — that they are not alone.”
She continues, “I encourage individuals to volunteer, even if it’s only a few hours a week. Volunteering can make a huge difference in your life and the lives of others.”
Her story is a powerful testament to the truth that God can use each of us—our gifts, our time, our compassion—to touch the lives of others in profound ways.
If you feel a stirring in your heart to grow in holiness, to live your faith more fully, and to walk alongside those in need — not as a duty, but as a joy — then perhaps this calling is meant for you.
Come and discover the blessing of being part of something eternal. Come and find Christ where he has always been: among the poor, the lonely and the least of these.
Learn More
For more information, or to explore how you can help your neighbors in need and answer this sacred invitation, contact one of the current leaders listed on the Diocese of Gaylord webpage: www.dioceseofgaylord.org/StVincentdePaul
