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Spiritual Reflection - August 2022

While all the people were listening he said to the disciples, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes and love to be greeted in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets, who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive. ...

Spiritual Reflection - July 2022

Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, You did it also to me. (Matt 25:45) Whether it is true or not I leave you to judge, but I think that in days gone by, we all thought that people in monasteries had a greater chance of communing with God than the average person. I suspect the reason for this was the lack of emphasis on the truth that God is in all things.  This was the emphasis of St Ignatius of Loyola and it is found in Māori spirituality in...

Terror in Ukraine: 100 days of a senseless war

Today, the Russian military operation that culminated with the invasion of Ukraine reaches its 100th day. Regrettably, international diplomacy has failed to find a quick solution to this occupation.The conflict has already resulted in thousands of dead and wounded military and civilian casualties, and millions of displaced people, mainly women and children, and those unable to move who include the poorest of the poor, the sick and disabled. The war has also heightened tensions between count...

Spiritual Reflection - June 2022

Widen the space of your tent,Stretch out your hangings freely,Lengthen your ropes, make your pegs firm:For you will burst out to right and to left. (Is 54:2)In a podcast I made for the St Vincent de Paul Society a couple of years ago, I stated: “If there’s one organisation I would hate to be without in parish life, it would be that of the Society of St Vincent de Paul”. I would still stay that with every fibre of my being. For a parish priest, the Society relieves him of a tremendous burde...

Spiritual Reflection - May 2022

HOW AM I DEVELOPING MY SPIRITUALITY? His state was divine,But Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God. (Philippians 2:6) For too long in the Church the understanding that priests and religious were expected to have a deeper spiritual life than our laity was the norm. This was possibly due to the perception that one’s relationship with God was all about saying prayers. Perhaps what was missing was the emphasis that God is in all things and all things belong to God.  This e...

Spiritual Reflection - April 2022

Welcome to the second of our monthly spiritual reflections from our Spiritual Advisor Father Alan Roberts. The intention is for you to share this spiritual reflection with your Conference members, Associate and Prayer members and volunteers. Share as widely as possible. Each Reflection will include a prayer intention that we ask you to pray for daily during the month. Prayer is the lubricant of our work and is the major difference between us being a spiritually led society or just another welfar...

Circular Letter to SVDP members - January 2022

Please find a link below to read the January 2022 Circular Letter by the 16th President General - Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira. ...

Spiritual Reflection - February 2022

Welcome to the first of our monthly spiritual reflections from our Spiritual Advisor Father Alan Roberts.Father Alan will be sending these out at the beginning of each month for you to share with your Conference members, Associate and Prayer members and volunteers. Please ensure you share these as widely as possible. Each Reflection will include a prayer intention that we ask you to pray for daily during the month. Prayer is the lubricant of our work and is the major difference between us being ...

Season's Greetings!

We invite you to read our December 2021 Christmas letter below or download the PDF....

Latest Issue of ‘Ozanam Network’ Digital Magazine

The Issue #03/2021 of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine, translated and edited by Council General International’s Communications Department, is now available. One of the highlighted news is the CGI’s Historic Board Meeting in Lyon. This issue is also packed with other news and relevant information, including:Christmas message 2021Results of the International Contest for Jules Devaux YearCouncil General International’s Annual meeting – Madrid 2021Cape Verde: The 153rd T...

World Day of the Poor - November 14

Around the globe, the Catholic Church will celebrate the World Day of the Poor on 14 November. Father Motto has prepared an excellent reflection which will be very useful for all members ofour Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and for all the other branches of the Vincentian Family. It isnot lengthy, but is a very profound and knowledgeable piece. Going from the Introduction tothe Conclusion, it is divided into three, very well-written parts: Jesus and the poor; Vincent andthe poor; Ozanam and t...

COVID-19 Update

Those dates are to be reviewed by the Government on Monday 13th September 2021. You will also be aware that Alert level 2 rules have been strengthened. In keeping with the New Zealand Government guidelines all Vinnies shops and staff must follow public health rules. Details for Alert Levels can be found at:ALERT LEVEL 4 GUIDELINES: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-...ALERT LEVEL 2 GUIDELINES: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-......

News from the Council General International

At the request of our brother Renato Lima, we are happy to inform you that there are several new features on the website of the Council General, among them: New edition of the newsletter OZANAM NETWORK: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/latest-issue-of-ozanam-network-digital-magazine-3/ The international contest for the choice of words for the song THE SEVEN FOUNDERS: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/cultural-competition-for-the-7-founders-song/ International Day of SSVP Women members: https:/...

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. ...