By Angy Hanon:
This summer, we’re proud to spotlight one of our Catholic Community Connection 2025 Fellows who brought his passion for service and skill in marketing to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as their Marketing and Fund Development Intern. Nate Gates-Petykowski is a Marketing major at John Carroll University with a minor in Italian Studies, he is originally from the Chicago suburbs and is set to graduate in May 2026.
He first learned about the fellowship while volunteering at John Carroll’s career fair through the university’s Career Services department. While helping set up, he met Marian Rubin, President of Catholic Community Connection, and was drawn into a conversation that would lead to his summer placement. “We had a great chat about the fellowship,” he said.
As an intern for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, he wore many hats on a small mission-driven team. One of his main projects involved updating a database of over 60 parish conferences to support the organization’s largest annual fundraiser, “Blanket Sunday”. “The fundraiser originally started as a collection of gently used blankets, but over time transitioned to monetary donations that allow us to purchase beds, blankets, and support neighbors in need with rent, utilities, or emergency expenses,” he explained.
One of the most meaningful aspects of his fellowship was participating in home visits. This is a unique part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s outreach. These visits involve meeting people in their homes to better understand their needs and offer support with compassion and dignity. “I’ve done two home visits, and both were eye-opening,” he shared. “In one case, I was able to manage the entire process, from receiving the initial email to helping coordinate rent support with the landlord and following up with the neighbor.”
An important influence on his experience was his supervisor, Jack Bedell, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Jack has been one of the best mentors I’ve ever had,” he said. “He’s always clear, supportive, and helps me see problems from a different angle. Whether it’s helping me take initiative or walking through technical challenges, he’s been a great guide.”
Looking ahead, Nate hopes to volunteer at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference near John Carroll and apply what he’s learned to both his future career and personal life. “I’ve grown professionally and spiritually. I want to carry that forward to help people, collaborate well, and stay focused in service.”
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