The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international voluntary Christian organization working with the poor and disadvantaged. We draw our inspiration and energy from the Gospels and Catholic social teaching and attempt to live the core values (Love of God and Love of our neighbour) through an action-oriented programme, working directly with people in need.

Inspired by our principal founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813 - 1853) , and our patron, St. Vincent de Paul (1581 - 1660), we seek to respond to the call every Christian receives to bring the love of Christ to those we serve in the spirit of the Gospel message: "I was hungry and you gave me to eat" (Matthew 25: 35). Members serve the poor by providing comfort much in the same way as Jesus did many years ago, through person-to-person contact with the needy, the lonely and the sick. No work of charity is foreign to the Society.

Membership

Membership of the society is open to all Catholics who sincerely accept its basic principles. There are no special skills involved. There is only a Christian interest in helping people in need. The Society is particularly interested in gaining more new members and is delighted with the number of young adults coming forward to join.

Works of the Society

The basic work of the Society is visitation and relief of the poor in their own homes, but the choice of other activities is as varied as circumstances demand and extends to any human need, material or spiritual, physical or mental, which can be alleviated by the Society through its own members. Some of our activities are:

• Visiting (home, hospital, prison)
• Financial Support to poor and downtrodden
• Advice/Counseling
• Self-Help Project
• Education Aid
• Medical Aid
• Distribution of clothes, blankets etc. to the poor.

All this work of Christy is made possible through the generous contribution of this parish community. However, there is a genuine need to increase and enlarge these visible gestures of God’s love further. We require more members and more funds.

We request you to join us and give us a helping hand. You could help us in any of the following ways:

• Become an active member of the SSVP
• By sponsoring one or more adopted families by contributing fixed amount every month.
• By giving a lump sum donation.
• By sponsoring a child for education.
• By dropping in the SSVP ration box whatever you are able to give in charity for the poor and needy.

Time Commitment

Each member is required to commit a one to two hours per week to attend the weekly meeting held on every Monday evening at 6.30 pm and visit the families assigned to you.

If you feel you could offer a skill or service to the society or you want to held the Society in any one of the ways mentioned above, please contact the following office bearers.