This year, the Society of St Vincent de Paul is celebrating its 175th anniversary after its foundation in Paris by Blessed Frederick Ozanam in 1833. The Society is flourishing throughout our Diocese with 46 of our parishes having active conferences (parish groups). It would be so good to have more.

Much of our local work consists of making visits to and organising events for the elderly, giving material help to some families and visiting local hospitals and residential homes. We are also hoping to open an SVP shop in our Diocese in the near future. Most of our conferences are twinned with groups in India and we give them regular financial help, as well as contributing as much as we can to an international disaster fund and to causes such as Darfur. We also try to contribute towards the spiritual development of our members by having short readings and prayers at meetings and also days of recollection and festival Masses during the year. The movement is very strong nationally and internationally. The theme of our ‘Awareness Month’ in September is ‘Who is my neighbour?’ and four different posters will be posted in our churches, one for each week of the month, showing different aspects of our work, so do look out for them. Enquiries about the SVP can be made to Mike Walmsley on (01904) 791289 or Mike Donoghue on (01904) 658055.

Mike Walmsley

Diocesan President