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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...

The President General takes up suggestions regarding the 2021 Circular Letter

Originally published 09/07/2020 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....

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...

Bishop Owen Dolan celebrates his 90th birthday

Bishop Owen Dolan recently celebrated his 90th birthday at a gathering in Palmerston North with fellow Bishops, priests, diocesan staff, parishioners and friends. Bishop Peter Cullinane paid tribute to this ‘great and lovable man’. ‘Those of us gathered here are representing many hundreds, indeed thousands, of other people who have known, loved and respected Owen as we all do. ‘Having served in many parishes of the former Archdiocese of Wellington, including parishes in this diocese, the...

Aquinas College Juniors give back to the SPCA volunteers

The junior young vinnies meet every Tuesday lunchtime at Aquinas College ages range from 12-14 yrs.New faces are joining every week and group has swelled to 18 members. The First project this group got involved in was to give back to SPCA volunteers who help care, clean and feed for the animals. Initially they spent several sessions learning about the SPCA and animal welfare.The core of the project was to raise funds to buy gifts and organise a school collection scheme for donations of cat and d...

St Josephs Waihi entertaining Hetherington House

St Josephs in Waihi is a small primary school and the young vinnies is held as part of their class time with 26 students eagerly taking part. The group decided that they wanted to put on an afternoon of entertainment for the elderly that live at Hetherington House. The term was spent learning about the challenges we face as our bodies get older alongside practice sessions to perfect their performances. Performances included a dance to Boom Boom from the girls, acoustic guitar and solo perfo...

Young Vinnies Western Bay of Plenty Newsletter

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St Josephs Matamata - Labelling tins for the food bank

St Josephs is our smallest primary school where the youth coordinator has the privilege to work with 8 young vinnies in Matamata on Wednesday afternoon during class time.This group wanted to give back to the St Vincent De Paul Society who supports the Young Vinnies. The first task that was completed within three weeks was to help the Cameron Rd Op Shop in Tauranga sort through, clean and test 15 boxes full of donated toys before they went out for sale.The second task involved labelling blan...

Nelson - St. Joseph Vinnies

One thing that the young people who belong to Vinnies are great at showing is compassion. Sometimes this is borne out of their own personal struggles which develop within them empathy for others. Over the years the St. Joseph Vinnies have had as active participants within our group a student with Downs Syndrome, a student with autism and another with epilepsy that has affected their learning. Therefore our topic of finding out about famous people with specific learning disabilities who found sch...