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Mission

Ladies of Charity, Diocese of Buffalo, is an organization of women volunteers embracing the ideals of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. The volunteers inspire and encourage each other while working with the disadvantaged and marginalized to break the cycle of poverty in the community and the world, and by advocating for social change.

Purpose

​The Ladies of Charity, Diocese of Buffalo, is a program of Catholic Charities of Western New York. Its purpose is to encourage the spiritual growth of its members and to provide volunteers and fund ministries created by Ladies of Charity to assist Catholic Charities in its mission. The ministries and funds raised by the Ladies of Charity, Diocese of Buffalo (LOC) are governed by these by-laws. LOC is a non-profit, unincorporated association affiliated with the Ladies of Charity of the United States of America (LCUSA) and the International Association of Charities (AIC). As such, LOC is a member of the Vincentian Family of groups founded by or following the ideals of St. Vincent de Paul and is open to cooperation and collaboration with other Vincentian groups. A separate corporation, Ladies of Charity of Buffalo, N.Y., Inc., owns the building at 1122 Broadway, Buffalo, which currently houses the LOC headquarters.

Diocese of Buffalo Association of the Ladies of Charity was founded on September 1, 1941.

History of the Ladies of Charity

1617
Ladies of Charity founded in France by St. Vincent de Paul
1629
St. Louise de Marillac appointed to work with the Ladies
1634
Movement begins spreading to other countries in Europe
1857
First Ladies of Charity in the United States founded in St. Louis, MO
1909
Junior Ladies of Charity organized in France and Italy
1941
Ladies of Charity founded in the Diocese of Buffalo
1960
National organization formed: Association of Ladies of Charity United States (ALCUS); later changed to Ladies of Charity USA (LCUSA)
1971
AIC, International Association of Charities, organized and located in Brussels, Belgium
2016
AIC-LCUSA is an important part of 150,000 volunteers in 53 countries across five continents

Advisory Board 2025-2026

Julie Lulek Director, Ladies of Charity
Kathleen Roseti Co-President/Store Rep
Kathleen Sieracki Co-President/Spiritual Moderator/Spirituality/1st Communion
Mary Ellen Carver Co-Vice President, Programs/Publicity
Sharon Darisse Co-Vice President, Programs/Publicity
Peggy Kolber Secretary
Betty Wasielewski Treasurer
Holly Walter VP Membership/Vincentian Spiritual Moderator/Advocacy
Judy Burd Member at Large
Mary Carroll Member at Large
Mary Ann Dulski Member at Large/Theme Basket Chair
Janice Ferguson Holiday Hope Bags
Ann Marie George Member at Large/Newsletter Editor
Denise Golpl Scholarships
Barbara Ivancic Member at Large/Mail Committee/Back-up Treasurer
Charlene Lajewski Corresponding Secretary/Holiday Hope Bags
Nancy Ortolano Baby Bags/Style Show Co-Chair
Leona Prinzbach Fresh Start
Beverly Sikora Member at Large/Spirituality
Diane Sippel Member at Large/Jewelry
Marian Snyder Junior Ladies of Charity
Susan Ward Member at Large/Style Show Chair
Committee Members
Mary Ernest School Supplies/Hats & Gloves
Marilyn Leslie Historian