Saint Vincent de Paul Feast Day

In April 1833 in Paris, Frederic Ozanam and his flat mate took the remainder of their own Winter firewood supply and gave it to a poor widow. This was the first recorded act of the St Vincent de Paul Society. But why wood and not food or money? Fuel for a fire was the difference between life and death and very difficult to obtain. The fire cooked your food, warmed and lit your humble dwelling, boiled water and kept out the brutal Parisian damp.

The first Queensland Conference was established in Brisbane in 1894 at St Brigid’s at Red Hill. This was in response to the massive Brisbane floods and the economic downturn at that time.

Today there are 193 conferences throughout the State with over 2500 members. These members answered 238,555 requests for assistance last year alone.

We are blessed in the wider Caloundra Parish to have five St Vincent de Paul Conferences. Last financial year the total value of assistance provided was $277,000. But instead of providing “firewood” we meet the needs of those doing it tough in ways more suited to our times. Fuel, food, phone credits, clothes, emergency accommodation, assistance with the ever-rising cost living expenses that are beyond so many of our local community members.

And how do we fund our efforts? Mainly from generous donations from you. The annual Winter, Christmas and CEO Sleepout Appeals are always well supported. Plus, there is an array of various fundraisers such as Bunnings Sausage Sizzles, plant and book stalls and even the local schools run free dress days or “pyjama” days to help us. But many parishioners quietly donated to Vinnies on a regular basis, thus enabling us to continue our “good works”.

The local Vinnies Shops are also a source of income. Your donations give second hand objects a new life, so it is not only good for the environment but also those needing a winter coat or to set up their kitchen after being homeless on the street.

Children and their educational needs are also a priority for all five conferences. The cost of providing an education, even in state schools, is overwhelming for many families. Having the correct uniform, an up-to-date computer and being able to attend school camps and excursions ensures every child is included and treated with dignity and respect.

We value education so highly, each year in September we conduct a special Children’s Education Fund program. This program helps families start the new school year with confidence, the fruits of which we many not witness until years down the track.

Being a member of Vinnies is a calling and as our International Rule states “The vocation of the Society’s members, who are called Vincentians, is to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment through person-to-person contact. Vincentians serve in hope”

Perhaps you feel a calling to become a Vincentian? If so the contact details of the five local conferences are included below.

Our Lady of Good Counsel – Our Conference meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of the Month in the Egan Room at 9.40am. Our Office for the Family Support Centre, where we assist people in need, is at the back of the Vinnies Store at 16 Mayes Ave Caloundra. For more information call Margaret on 0428850305.

Sacred Heart Maleny – Our conference meets in the Pat Daly Function Centre under the Sacred Heart church. We conduct our interviews in the flat / office attached to the church. At present our conference has a membership of three people and we would like to have two or three more. Due to reduced demand we respond to calls on Monday only but with more members we could operate on more days. Please consider joining our conference and contact Mark Downey for more information via the call centre number 0754 595 290.

Good Shepherd Kawana Waters – Our conference meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 9-30 to 11-00am at the Good Shepherd Centre, opposite the Kawana Library on Nanyima St. We are a visitation team, meeting in the home of the companion to establish the reality of their situation and how best to help. For information contact the call centre on 0754 595 290.

Our Lady of the Rosary – Our conference meets weekly on Tuesday from 3-00pm to 4-30pm in the Dobson Room. We are a visitation conference which means our team goes out to assist those in need, wherever they may be. For more information call Bruce on 0487 361 200.

Our Lady of the Way – Landsborough meets every second Tuesday from 9-10am at The Ron Hickey Centre. We are a visitation conference which means we visit people in need where they are at. We welcome new members who wish to serve in the spirit of Christ to those in need of a hand up in our community. To make contact with our conference please contact Justin on 0438 185 177.

Yours in service, Bruce Franklin, President of OLR SVDP