St. Vincent de Paul Honors Champion Supporters at Annual Brennan Award Dinner

St. Mary’s Cathedral decked itself in Parisian finery on September 18, as the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco hosted its thirty-second annual Brennan Award Dinner, honoring Sheila Doyle Kiernan and The Alice Phelan Sullivan Corporation. Over 300 guests joined MC Liam Mayclem for an evening that celebrated the organization’s French roots through a “Night in Paris” theme, while Society of St. Vincent de Paul National President John Berry and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone provided inspiring remarks.

Sage Catering created an elegant French-inspired menu featuring herb-crusted beef fillet atop roasted fingerling potatoes with candy-striped beets and béarnaise sauce, alongside grilled king salmon with sweet corn, arugula and charred padrón peppers. The University of San Francisco Jazz Band entertained the crowd with authentic French jazz during the reception, while a video screening showcasing the Society’s shelters and programs demonstrated the direct impact of the evening’s fundraising. National Society Vice President Judy Dietlein and San Francisco Interfaith Council Executive Director Michael Pappas joined supporters celebrating an organization that has spent over three decades honoring individuals whose actions create extraordinary impact for the city’s most vulnerable residents, through person-to-person services that break cycles of homelessness and domestic violence.