Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

November 28, 2004

Paris, France. 1833. Frederic Ozanam, while speaking in defence of the Church is challenged by a fellow student “What are you actually doing for the poor?” A man of action, Ozanam founded a group which came to be known as the Society of Vincent De Paul after the l7th century Saint. The purpose was simple: as a small group of friends, they would become servants of the poor in Paris .

It was to have huge repercussions. Today, the SVP is a charity spread across the world, and is as diverse in its membership as it is in the work that it carries out. Catholic in origin and character, it is dedicated to helping anyone in need. The concept of need is broadly based, so visiting the sick, the lonely, the addicted and those suffering from disabilities form a large portion of the Society's work.

The Society is made up of a network of Conferences, local and regional groups which report to the National Council. Conferences carry out work in their area, visiting the elderly, or sick, working with the homeless and supporting local charitable initiatives. The National Council is responsible for more financially demanding initiatives such as hostels, holiday schemes, summer camps for children, and Drop-In Centres. It also deals with the international side of the charity; groups in the developing world are "twinned" with groups in more affluent countries. Support is provided in the form of correspondence, prayer and regular financial contributions, student sponsorship, specific projects and a "disaster fund" to help the local Society cope with disasters in its own country.

Here in Farm Street we are lucky to have our own Conference. We meet once a fortnight to review our work and to allocate future work, in a spirit of mutual support and/ prayer .This latter is provided by our Chaplain, who will offer some pertinent words of reflection on a spiritual text at the beginning of the meeting. Before closing the meeting a 'secret collection' is taken, the proceeds from which are distributed as we feel best. Our visits range from people suffering from grave illness, deprivation, or infirmity to those who simply feel lonely. Members often also have their own projects helping others, which we discuss and help wherever and however we can. We support local charities, The Passage, Little Sisters of the Poor, the Cardinal Hume Centre, and others. Once a year we also prepare hampers for the homeless of the area and distribute them around Christmas time. Typically they will comprise food and clothing. This is in addition to the financial obligations that we have to the National Council and the good work that it performs in this country and abroad.

This year's appeal has come around again, and next week you will hear a spoken appeal at the end of Mass. Again we are looking for your help on two fronts. Firstly, we are always looking for new members: men and women, young and old, of any denomination. Maybe you know of people to visit, but lack the support. Perhaps you are looking to get involved more in the local community. We ask for a minimum of commitment, but otherwise it is up to you and how much time you can give. We always welcome new people and the ideas that they bring.

Secondly, and in particular next week, we will be asking for your strong financial support. Our financial commitments have been outlined above, and all of these are made possible by your generosity during this annual appeal. We are extremely judicious about how the money is spent and where we donate; we ensure that it is in order to make a real difference. And it does.

Fellow members will be at the exits of the church at the end of Mass next week to answer any questions that you may have on membership and how we spend the money, and of course, gratefully to accept your donations. Alternatively donations can be made out to ‘The Farm Street SVP'' and left in an envelope at the Jesuit Residence Reception, 114 Mount S1reet. . Many thanks for taking the time to read this; we trust that we can rely on your support next week and over the course of the year.

Farm Street SVP