About Us
Who We Are
VIMS is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation governed by a volunteer board of directors that supports the growth and development of provinces, vice-provinces, regions, and missions of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians) especially in countries where resources are few and progress is difficult.
The Superior General, Fr.Tomás Mavric, C.M., the 25th successor of St. Vincent de Paul, established VIMS in 2019 as an expansion of the mission of St. Vincent dePaul begun in 1617 in France. VIMS raises and distributes funds in support of projects approved by the Vincentian Solidarity Office as well as others approved by the Superior General. True to its Vincentian character, VIMS funds projects that serve people living in poverty, advancing their God-given dignity, and fostering full human development.
Who We Are
VIMS is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt volunteer organization. We are an expansion of the mission St. Vincent dePaul founded in 1625 in France. Officially, we are the Congregation of the Mission (that explains the “CM” after my name). In much of the world, we are known as “Vincentians.” In all we seek to build the Church so that all people, especially those on the margins, the forgotten ones, are seen, welcomed, included, and loved as the Children of God they are.
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision: A faith-filled world where basic human needs are met, people are united in generous service, and humanity flourishes.
Our Mission: Vincentian International Mission Services (VIMS) continues the legacy of St. Vincent dePaul by fueling Vincentian missions in countries where needs are great, and resources are few.
Our Values: Simplicity, Generosity, Partnerships, Creativity, and Accountability
Who We Help
Vincentians serve the people who are on the margins—people who live in poverty, whom the world often thinks are unimportant. St. Vincent de Paul taught us to see the face of Christ in these people, to regard them as our lords and masters. Our donor-partners make it possible for Vincentian priests and brothers to shine the light of God’s love on them.
Spiritual & Emotional Renewal
We support those who seek a closer relationship with God and a better life. We help individuals of all ages—young, old, and in-between—who long for something better for themselves, their children, and their neighbors, fostering hope and holistic well-being.
Meeting Basic Human Needs
We provide essential care for those who are struggling with hunger, thirst, poor clothing, and homelessness. Through the generosity of our partners, we ensure that the most marginalized receive the immediate material aid they need to survive and thrive.
Education & Opportunity
We serve those who are insufficiently educated by providing resources and support for learning. Our mission is to open doors to greater opportunities, empowering people on the margins to build a better and more stable future for themselves and their communities.
How We Help
Vincentian priests and brothers around the world staff parishes, seminaries, schools, health clinics, job training centers, and other kinds of service centers so that all God’s children, all our brothers and sisters can live in greater dignity. Like St. Vincent himself, we invite the people we serve to join us in our service so that everyone grows, learns, heals, and rejoices. Our ministry focuses on the presence of God in each person and builds from there.
Our Inspiration
St. Vincent dePaul started a revolution by effectively responding to the needs of people living in poverty while also making selfless service and generosity expressions of holiness. At VIMS we look to St. Vincent in our efforts to do the same. He is our inspiration.
St. Vincent dePaul
St. Vincent founded three organizations that continue today. In fact, they are thriving! In 1617 he formed the first of the Confraternities of Charity, a lay organization known in the USA as the Ladies of Charity. In 1625 he established the Congregation of the Mission, a group of priests and brothers. Then, in 1633, he and St. Louise De Marillac, organized the Daughters of Charity.
Since his death in 1660, more than 150 additional organizations have formed based on his way, his teachings, his insights, his zeal. Vincentian International Mission Services (VIMS) is one of the newest. I like to say we have a 6-year-old record and a 400-year history.
St. Vincent continues to inspire people to reach out in loving service, to live and preach the Gospel, to seek out the lost and to serve Jesus through the service of others. Here at VIMS, we look to St. Vincent for inspiration and guidance. We strive to be faithful to the tradition he established.
We are happy to welcome everyone into our network of friends and generous donors who envision a world in which no one lives in poverty, no one is excluded or forgotten, and everyone lives holy lives fully embracing the life God has given to each one of us. If that isn’t an inspiring vision, I don’t know what is.
St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660)
Our patron saint, whose foundational vision continues to inspire Vincentian International Mission Services to serve those on the margins.
Meet The Team
You can support the mission in a way that best fits you. Give general fuel for our work through one of the options below, or explore our specific causes to target your gift to a particular project.
Fr. Mark Pranaitis, C.M., PhD
Executive Director
Fr. Mark ensures your gifts to VIMS support the projects you care about most.
During his more than 30 years as a Vincentian priest Fr. Mark has worked individually with hundreds of donors who contributed millions of dollars in support of many different projects, from small soup kitchens that provided meals for a few dozen people to the building of houses, churches, schools and more.
Having studied, taught, and preached about the spirituality of stewardship, he is firmly rooted in the belief that everything we have is God’s gift to us and God calls us to share these gifts prudently and generously, putting them at the service of the least among us. Little gives Fr. Mark more joy than helping people discern the call they hear to be generous. He wants everyone to give the right gift, at the right time, to the right ministry.
Fr. Mark has served in parishes, as a leader within his province, a director of stewardship and development for a diocese, and an executive at DePaul University, Catholic Charities USA and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. He has offered consultation services in dozens of organizations helping them align resources to achieve their stated mission. When not at work he enjoys biking, reading, the Jersey shore, and old-fashioned letter-writing.
Bill Ebbesmeyer
Director of Finance
Working closely with Fr. Mark Pranaitis, the Executive Director of VIMS, Bill ensures your gifts to VIMS support the projects you care about most and is responsible for the accounting and administrative functions of the organization.
Prior to joining the work of VIMS, Bill worked for over five years as Finance Coordinator for the Congregation of the Mission Western Province. It was an educational and motivating job. Bill learned about the charism of St. Vincent and when he was offered the opportunity to move into a different role within the Vincentian family, he made the move and began his tenure with VIMS. This work is more exciting and motivating since he can work directly with the appeals and ensure the finances of the organization are strong and stable.
Bill did not start in the finance world. After receiving a degree in Theatre Performance, he worked varying business jobs until starting a 20-year career as a Singer, Actor, Dancer. He moved back to his hometown, St. Louis in 2001 and began a new chapter in his life back in the business world. He continued to play music for Sunday mass during this time and has recorded two CDs of his original spiritual music. Many years prior, during grade school, Bill attended a discernment weekend in Perryville, MO (the home of the Vincentian seminary). It might have taken over 40 years to become part of the Vincentian Family, but it is a mission that Bill embraces now.