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News from the Council General International

The President General, brother Renato Lima, urges you to read the following published articles containing recent and important news about the Council General and the SSVP in general.1. 2020 CGI Activity Report2. Prospects for 20213. Meet the new Headquarters of CGI4. New International StructureThank you for your support....

The SSVP and the World Day of the Poor

This year, the Council General requests Conferences to give greater visibility to Vincentian Charity. The WORLD DAY OF THE POOR will be held on 15 November 2020 on the theme “Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sir 7, 32), drawn from the message written by his Holiness Pope Francis (link to the message is provided below). The World Day of the Poor, established by the Vatican in 2016, is celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. Pope Francis published his message a...

100th Anniversary

The proceedings which dispelled any controversy on this matter took place in Corrientes (Argentina), in 1920.The SSVP Marks the 100th Anniversary of Being Officially Recognised as an Autonomous Body of the Church The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) was founded in 1833, but its first Rule was developed in 1835, a document embodying the practices of the young organisation, independent in its administration and organisation. The Society began to grow, and by 1845 it was already present thro...

Important news from the Council General and SSVP

The President General, brother Renato Lima, urges you to read the following published articles containing very recent and important news about the Council General and the SSVP in general. 1. Documentation of a Second Alleged Miracle of Bl. Ozanam Delivered to the Vatican 2. First Annual Meeting Held by Council General International 3. Q&A Session with the PGI: Transparency and Dialogue Thank you for your support....

Vincentians recognised as community heroes

Two Vincentians are among those recognised for outstanding community service in the 2020 New Plymouth District Council’s Citizens Awards.Mavis Bridgeman is a member of the St Joseph’s Conference in New Plymouth and Kaddy Smale is a long-time supporter of the Society’s weekly community meals.  Mavis has been one of the most active members of the St Vincent de Paul Society.  “She is a regular visitor of those suffering from poverty,” says Gabrielle Carman, President of the St J...

Caring in action - the furniture moving army of SVDP New Plymouth

It’s a cold, grey damp day in New Plymouth and members of 'Dad’s Army' (that’s what they call themselves) are huddled over a 'battle plan' on top of a tea trolley in the shed down at St Joseph’s School. The paper maps out a route for the pickup and delivery of furniture for those in need. One of their division has just returned a lovely old chair he’s had for repairing. The chair now has a new lease of life in the service of  a person in need.  Repairs and maintenance, van dr...

Caring in action - a community meal

Every Tuesday evening in the hall under St Joseph’s church in New Plymouth, the St Vincent de Paul Society in New Plymouth serves a delicious three-course meal to anyone in need of a nutritious meal and some good company. The meals are free and numbers of diners vary from 25 to 50. Usually there is a pianist playing, helping to set a great atmosphere. The community meal, which is now in its sixth year, is a triumph of caring in action. There is a team of 47 volunteer cooks, with nine peop...

The Council General Celebrates 4 years in Office

Council General InternationalOn 9 September, fellow member Renato Lima de Oliveira and his team will be celebrating four years in office leading the Council General International. During this period, the International Board, with God’s grace and the Superior Councils’ support, has made significant progress for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as a whole. “These have been moments of great joy and learning. Everything that we have achieved is the result of the joint efforts of all Board me...

Coronavirus, in between Lockdown and Service

My dear brothers and sisters,I would like to share two thoughts with you. Firstly, much of humanity still suffers from the coronavirus pandemic. We must work to ensure that this pandemic does not become endemic, like HIV. But as we fight it, other evils are emerging. I am referring to acts of racism that we have seen flourish in parts of the United States, but that we know exist in many other places on the planet. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has made a profession of opposing all form...

The Virtual 2020 General Assembly to be Held in Two Sessions: October and December

Council General International For the first time in the history of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Annual Assembly will be virtually held (originally scheduled to be held in Nairobi last June) by the General Council International, due to the pandemic which still prevents travels and large meetings. In addition, due to the huge number of topics and the different time zones, the Assembly will be held in two sessions: October 4th (1st part) and December 13...

Christchurch SVDP Stories

Young Vinnies in Christchurch have kept our presence strong over the past few months. During the Covid-19 lockdown we released several well-being worksheets for our students and continued an active presence online. Before lockdown we were part-way through our Lenten appeal, ‘40 bags for 40 days’ which asks students to donate items to St Vincent de Paul that they no longer need. Several of our schools are continuing the appeal with a focus on warm items for use in the winter months. We have c...

On August 14, we celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Amélie Soulacroix Ozanam

Article by Council General InternationalOn August 14th, we mark the bicentenary of the birth of Amélie Soulacroix Ozanam, beloved wife of Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam and a  central person for getting to know both the details of the life of the main founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the first steps of our Society.The 16th General President, member Renato Lima de Oliveira, takes the opportunity to declare August 14th as the INTERNATIONAL SSVP WOMEN’S DAY. ...

New COVID-19 Alert Level Status

All regions in New Zealand, except for the Auckland region, will move to Alert Level 2 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12th August 2020. Auckland region will move to Alert Level 3. Effective midday today the following applies to all shops EXCLUDING AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND SHOPS ARE TO CLOSE UNDER THEIR ALERT LEVEL 3 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE What you need to know Alert Level 2 is not life as normal. You can still go to work and school, but you should: keep your distance from other people in publicwash your handss...

Collaboration the key to supporting people

Covid-19 has shown how a targeted, collaborative approach can inspire members and clients alike.  With the onset of Level 4 lockdown in March, our Conference used existing client lists, parish office referrals of elderly and isolated parishioners, the Vinnies social worker referrals and Conference member knowledge to identify 180 clients to check-in on under lockdown conditions.  We then used 14 members to make phone calls and find out whether there were any specific lockdown need...

The SSVP Celebrates the CGI’s 181st Anniversary

Originally published 10/07/2020 by Council General International...

‘Thankyou St Vincent de Paul. Really appreciated the awhi and the aroha.’

On the frontline of need and deprivation, support from St Vincent de Paul can make a huge difference to a family and community.  Here is some feedback from families desperately struggling through the Covid-19 crisis....

The President General takes up suggestions regarding the 2021 Circular Letter

Originally published 09/07/2020 by Council General International ...

Huge appreciation for food parcels

Food parcels from St Vincent de Paul have been enthusiastically welcomed by schools and communities in Kaikohe, Northland.Thank you so much for your ongoing support for our vulnerable whanau, says Rene Hapeta, Nga puhi Iwi social worker in schools.   “As a school we try to support our families as best we can. The food St Vincent de Paul has provided has made a huge difference to our tamariki and their ability to learn.” The St Vincent de Paul food parcels have been distributed to many n...

Volunteer Profile - Jade

St Vincent de Paul’s Op Shop in Kilbirnie has another revealing dimension called Re Sew which happens to be the base for a labyrinth of brilliantly coloured unwanted, discarded fabric and textiles that a community of volunteers is committed to reviving and upcycling.  One of these volunteers is Jade, a sole parent and mother of three, and she’s not just repurposing scraps, she’s repurposing her life. Jade was referred to Volunteer Wellington’s Work and Income programme by her case m...

Volunteer Profile - Philippa Kenealy

Philippa Kenealy had become unemployed and ‘needed to get out of her head’. It’s too easy, she said, to think the worst of yourself when the employment odds are against you.  A Work and Income client, Philippa had a helpful case manager who introduced her to the idea of volunteering through Volunteer Wellington’s Engagement in the Community programme. She also realized she wanted to meet new people, develop different skills – and offer something back to her local community.  ...

SVDP launches National Recovery Appeal

The St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Society has launched a National Recovery Appeal to help the increasing numbers of individuals and families struggling from the impact of Covid-19. The Appeal is being launched this week and will run until December. The goal is to raise $4 million to provide people with economic, social and emotional support during these times of severe hardship, says SVDP National President Marlena Hoeft-Marwick. “Many of our services have been funded through our Op Shops which ha...

Covid-19 Level 2 Update

Do everything you can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work — we all have a part to play in keeping each other safe. COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe.All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible.Talk with your workers to identify risks and ways to manage them.Ask everyone, workers, contractors and customers, with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.Keep groups of c...

Council General’s Actions against Covid-19 in the Last 60 Days

Two months ago, the world was forced to slow down. Due to the new Coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19), mankind has reduced its activities, closed down its trade, and suspended its travels to mitigate this terrible pandemic, which is taking thousands of lives. A Covid-19 vaccine has not been developed yet. Amongst Covid-19 deaths are some Vincentians, relatives of Vincentians and our friends in need. Our members, in their Conferences and parishes, have suffered a lot since the traditional charit...

Covid-19 Essential Business April 1st Update

Society of St Vincent de Paul New Zealand filed an application to become a recognised as a Essential Service Provider, we’ve been advised applications take some time to process but in the meantime we have been given verbal agreement by the Ministry to provide food Parcels and/or goods deemed essential (no home cooked meals/baking) and to follow these guidelines: Assistance requests via phone or email onlyDelivery to doorstep or letterbox, no person to person contactMembers to wear ma...

Obituary - David Williams RIP

Ssvp-Conseil Général International OBITUARY DAVID WILLIAMS RIP 31 March 2020 We have been informed that David Williams, a great servant of the Society, has died earlier this afternoon, following admission to hospital a few days ago suffering from complications after contracting Corona Virus. The President General, Renato Lima de Oliveira, declares 3 days of mourning for the death of our fellow member David Williams, who served tirelessly to the English and the International SSVP for many years...