Saint Vincent de Paul
The Saint Vince de Paul (SVP) is an international lay society whose role is to put into practice Catholic Social Teaching by seeking and finding those in need, providing practical support and fellowship whilst tackling the causes of poverty.
The parish has a thriving SVP conference who are active both locally and Internationally.
Locally
Visits are carried out to the needy, sick and elderly in the parish and the local community. Help is given with shopping, transport for doctor or hospital appointments or to Mass. Practical support is offered and financial support and advice is given or sourced when needed.
There are currently sixteen active Full Members who visit and support those in need as well as fifteen Auxiliary Members who help in many ways, but do not visit or attend meetings.
The Society is Catholic in character but is open to all. Meetings are held twice a month in the Parish Centre, in the evening. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
Within the Parish the SVP also:
- Runs the Tuesday Coffee & Company morning.
- Organises a Christmas Lunch.
- Organises a Summer Outing for the Coffee and Company group.
- Holds a Mass for the sick in, September each year, followed by High Tea.
- Holds word and communion services in local residential care homes.
- Holds Singalongs in a local care home.
Surrounding Areas
We have recently started an initiative, to offer support to disadvantaged pupils at St Michael’s School in High Wycombe. Second hand sports equipment, musical instruments and items of school uniform have been donated by members of the parish and delivered to the school by the SVP.
In addition, financial help in the form of vouchers for school meals, vouchers to purchase school uniforms, and support for disadvantaged pupils to participate in school trips has also been given.
Internationally
In common with all SVP conferences our conference is twinned with a number of overseas conferences; in our case in India and Grenada.
They are supported financially and the conference has also sponsored school and college students in India, especially for courses in Nursing and Engineering.
New Members
We are always seeking new members who can bring skills and experience to our conference. We are particularly keen to widen our skills in management and finance.
Contacts
To seek our help or to find out how you can join us in our work please contact;
- John Guilfoyle on 01494 672094
- Maria Cox on 01494 670461
or contact the parish office on +44 1494 673 018 or email the parish office on parish.stteresabeaconsfield@northamptondiocese.org .
You can also visit the Saint Vincent de Paul UK Website for general information.