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Society Pays Tribute to Joe Hubbard Who Marks 50 Years as a Vincentian

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

More than 700 people joined Joe Hubbard for dinner Oct. 30 at Fischer’s Restaurant in Belleville to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Hubbard has combined his love for the poor and his work at Catholic Urban Programs (CUP) and his membership as a Vincentian to bring the Corporal Works of Mercy to life.

Growing up in East St. Louis and a member of Holy Angels Parish, Hubbard and his family needed help when his father became ill. They turned to the Society for St. Vincent de Paul conference in their parish.

Help was freely given, and Hubbard decided early in his life that he wanted to give back to the Society, not only because its members helped him but also because he discovered he had a great love for the poor and meeting their needs.

Hubbard became a St. Vincent de Paul volunteer, but he also needed gainful employment.
With suggestions to then Bishop Albert Zuroweste from his friends, CUP was inaugurated with Hubbard as its director.

In a letter to the people attending the dinner, Hubbard gave thanks for the many people who pray, donate and volunteer to take care of the needy in the diocese.

He also thanked them for honoring him. Many people know that they might receive a telephone call from Hubbard in the evening when a need arises.

“It’s always about someone else,” Congressman Jerry Costello said after giving Hubbard a copy of the “Congressional Record” with some of Hubbard’s accomplishments.

Costello said Hubbard never asked for a favor for himself, even when he was encouraged to do so.
In the early years, Gerry Hasenstab became acquainted with the Society when he drove Hubbard to meetings because at that time, Hubbard did not drive. Later, he joined the Vincentians.

Finally, Hasenstab joined Hubbard at CUP where Hasenstab also meets the needs of the poor in the diocese.
While the Society and the diocese operate as separate entities, CUP and the Vincentians have much in common, and the organizations often help each other, assisting people wherever and whenever the need arises.

Hubbard said he has been blessed over the years, especially when he needed assistance from a group of people who became the “volunteer pall bearers.” Hubbard calls them when someone dies with no family or friends to go that last mile with them.

“There were a lot of elderly poor who had no one,’ Hubbard said.
Talking about the dinner the following week, Hubbard said: “It was just awesome. I’m still in a state of shock; I’ve never seen that many people.”

Saying he was “totally embarrassed” by all the fuss, he said he was so grateful to all of the people that have stood by him over the years to “help the hurting and broken people of our world.”

However, as a true Vincentian, Hubbard said: “It was God who was and is working through me.”