‘Awareness Month’ is our annual opportunity to highlight the SVP’s presence in our local parishes and communities and promote a deeper appreciation and understanding of our work. This in turn can help people who are in need of support to know how to contact us, and those who may be thinking about joining the Society to take their interest further.

Founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam with a group of companions, and taking St Vincent de Paul as its patron, the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is a Christ-centred organisation made up of almost 10,000 volunteers across England and Wales. While every local group or ‘Conference’ is unique, our mission is the same; to seek and find those in need, to help them in the spirit of justice and to tackle the causes of poverty where we can.

With Christian values at our core, members of the St Vincent de Paul Society work in a variety of different ways including visiting and befriending the lonely and housebound, supporting locally (and in strict confidence) individuals and families in financial need, as well as supporting SVP Conferences in developing countries with disaster relief efforts and the education of their young people. Our Annual Appeal to parishioners’ for their financial support will be made at Masses in the parish on 21st & 22nd September; SVP ‘Gift Aid’ envelopes are available at the back of the Church if you are able to increase the value of your donation in this way. Should you would like to know more about the work that takes place in your local Conference please contact: Francis O’Brien Tel. 01702-552373.