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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...

Let's have faith: God will protect and strengthen everyone during this battle.

Article written by the 16th President General, Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira --- In our spiritual journey as Christians, baptized and Vincentians, we have already experienced innumerable tribulations and challenges, in all areas of our lives: in the family, in the professional field, in studies, in the search for work, in the area of health, and among many other dimensions as human beings. Also in the Church and in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, we sometimes experience disappointments a...

Pope Francis' Coronavirus Prayer

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will&nbs...

Council General International’s Statement with regard to Coronavirus

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul worldwide is joining the efforts of national and international health authorities to fight and minimise the effects of this pandemic sparked by the new Coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19). The National Councils are responsible for guiding local Vincentian grassroots on this issue, and many Councils are actively involved in each country. However, given the international scope of the Council General, some recommendations and guidelines for Conferences, Councils and...

Circular Letter 2020

Paris, 31st January 2020.  A letter from the 16th President General - Member Renata Lima de Oliveria. Please click the button below to download the letter in PDF format....

Vinnies Bushfire Appeal 2020

Devastating bush fires are currently burning throughout Australia, you can help today by donating to Vinnies Australia to help families rebuild their lives after this terrible disaster. Please visit this website to donate: Vinnies Bushfire Appeal...

National Appeal - Christchurch Muslim Community

The Society of St Vincent de Paul in New Zealand is initiating an appeal to assist those suffering violence against Muslims at Christchurch Mosques Friday 15 March 2019. The funds raised will be administered through the Society’s Christchurch Area Council and distributed to conferences enabling Vincentians to undertake long-term/ongoing support to families and children. New Zealand’s six Catholic bishops have issued a statement expressing their solidarity with New Zealand’s Muslim communit...