SVP St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales)

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Kimberly Benson
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1 SVP St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales)

2 Vincent de Paul (V dep), ( ), feast 27 th Sep.- French peasant -shaped and moulded by God -ordained a priest in 1600 at the age of 19. V dep and Louise de Marillac, ( ), feast 15 th Mar. Daughters of Charity Literacy for poor children Homes for destitute children Care for -the sick in hospital prisoners galley slaves elderly -poor Famine relief 04/12/2014 2

3 Blessed Frédéric Ozanam ( ) feast 9 th Sep. Rich law student at Sorbourne University in Paris Challenged that church was irrelevant to the poor and suffering people of France Started Conference of Charity - go out and become servants of the poor like Christ and V dep Ozanam qualified to be a Lawyer and Professor passionate about social justice and restoration of French Catholicism Recognised that poverty might be material and emotional Need to change laws and structures of society that created poverty and disadvantage. 04/12/2014 3

4 Blessed Rosalie Rendu ( ), feast 9 th Nov. At 17 Jeanne (former name) felt called by God to become Daughter of Charity Vowed to serve God and the poor Opened free clinic, pharmacy, school, orphanage, childcare centre, home for elderly, youth club. SVP started from Ozanam and Rendu Spead from France throughout World Today SVP in 145 countries, 46,000conferences and 0.75 million members 04/12/2014 4

5 Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural, it is man made Nelson Mandela Justice is relief from poverty and social exclusion It is a Fundamental human right It is the right to dignity and a decent life While poverty exists there is no freedom If young adults understand poverty and suffering they will grow to become compassionate and giving they will know God s blessings in their lives. 04/12/2014 5

6 Personal Development Spiritual Growth Increasing Social Awareness and Skills 04/12/2014 6

7 SVP 1833 is a branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society, for members in the age-group. Groups, known as Conferences, may be based in university chaplaincies where Catholic / Christian students meet or in city centres. Putting faith into action. Volunteers who support people in their communities. Meeting people person to person. Trying to help people in any way they can. 04/12/2014 7

8 You will: Make a real difference to people who need help. Learn about the problems around you. Learn how you can make a difference. Gain experience which employers and universities value. Meet nice people and have fun. Volunteering to help people gives you more confidence, helps you to feel good about yourself and most importantly makes a real difference to the lives of others. As young adults we have so much to give to those who have less than ourselves and SVP 1833 gives us a chance to put Christianity into action. 04/12/2014 8

9 Visits to residential homes (concerts / craft days Visits to housebound in own home Homeless shelter / day centre to prepare, serve food, befriend Faith & Light share in prayer, songs, activities Soup-run / early morning food and drinks run for rough sleepers Food and friendship for Big Issue sellers Centre for people with disability 04/12/2014 9

10 Visits to hospitals and hospices, sometimes as Eucharistic ministers Help for children with special needs Home tuition for children Buddying scheme for students Befriending refugees and asylum-seekers Befriending users at centres for people with addictions 04/12/

11 Special activities at Christmas and Easter, -parties for older people Helping immigrants with English adults and/or children in schools Attending weekly Mass at local prison Overseas aid SVP Twinned projects 04/12/

Human Dignity as children of God we are all excellent but different. Community and participation we are not alone, we seek the common good for all.

12 Human Dignity as children of God we are all excellent but different. Community and participation we are not alone, we seek the common good for all. Life and work justice in the workplace. Care for creation we are all on Earth together, human and non-human. Peace forgiveness and non-violence. Solidarity we can do it together. 04/12/

13 Icebreaker ideas Rainbow wristbands Ignatian Daily Examen Prayer Stations 04/12/

14 Vincentian spirituality is about fellowship with other members. We form a community and support each other socially and through our work. This is particularly important for university students who may be away from home for the first time. Jess - SVP is a way for us to practise our Christian faith, doing what Jesus commanded in a practical, loving way.and the prayer and reflection when we meet makes SVP stand out from the crowd Catherine - SVP allows people to get involved and live out their faith. It also helps people to talk about their faith with others and do a lot more than simply come and leave immediately after Mass. Dermot 04/12/

15 SVP (SVP at Manchester Universities) SVP Catholic Social Teaching Plater Trust a. Leadership development for the laity, particularly in the area of justice and social action, to equip individual Catholics to apply Catholic social teaching and play an active part in the Church s mission. b. Imaginative projects providing education for people from the most marginalised sectors of society. c. The intellectual endeavour of refreshing Catholic social thought within our own British context, for example through scholarship and writing or policy formation. 04/12/

Vincentian Spirituality

Vincentian Spirituality Encountering Christ in the Poor Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor St. Vincent teaches us to see Christ in the poor and suffering, so much so that the poor become our Lords and