February 2022
update:
Join the SVP: “Spread the love of God in the world through the good contagion
of charity.” See leaflet in church or contact Francis McWilliams via the
parish office.
The SVP is a Society of practical Christianity
whose aim is to obey Our Lord's command to love God and our
neighbour by helping those in need. This commitment of charity is
the heart of the Gospel, as Pope John Paul II said to the Society
recently. It is as relevant today as it was in 1833 when the
Society was founded in Paris by the Blessed Frederick Ozanam, who
was beatified by the Holy Father in Paris in August 1997. It now
exists in over 125 countries world wide and is closely connected
with other caring agencies, such as Cafod and Let Live, the De Paul
and Advent Trusts to support young homeless and unemployed people
in British cities, and with the Vincentian Fathers and the
Daughters of Charity who do so much for the poor in the Third
World.
Every Christian has an obligation to serve his or
her neighbour, and has to face the challenge "to practise what you
preach'. If you have ever thought 'I wish I could help', why not
contact the SVP and find our how. Any practising Christian can
join, male or female, young or old. It requires about 1 hour of
your time each week and a desire to help those less fortunate than
yourself.
"Extend your mercy towards others,
so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping.
For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His Mercy from
us?" ~ Saint Vincent de Paul
Links
St Vincent
de Paul Society (England & Wales) ~ the work of the society
with the poor and needy.
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