The St Vincent de Paul Conference promptly and cheerfully helps those in need. There are at least 20 members working tirelessly under the guidance of our Chairperson. The largest volume of work involves helping with food, but help is also given with furniture. The members make many personal calls, in response to appeals for food, clothing and furniture.
The double-garage at the rear of the Our Lady of Mercy Church affords a large storage space, thereby enabling the Conference to meet increasing needs more effectively.
The preparation of Christmas hampers is greatly assisted by many donations at the church, and by a most generous effort by the Staff and students of St. Francis de Sales School.
Visits to the sick, house-bound and isolated continue to be a vital aspect of the Conference and a
tangible realisation of our Parish Vision.
The collaboration of the Vinnies Family Centre with the Conference has been a significant boon to the members and their apostolate. For this the Conference is especially grateful.
Where necessary, Families are referred to a Financial Counsellor who comes from Murray Bridge Anglicare. This counsellor works at the Vinnies Family Centre every Thursday.
The Vinnies Family Centre provides good second-hand clothing, furniture, bric-a-brac etc to families who are struggling in this economy. Families referred through the conference with vouchers can select clothing and manchester. The Conference also provides furniture to families when necessary.
See the Parish Directory page for contact details of people who co-ordinate/manage the various St Vincent de Paul operations in our Parish.
How did St Vincent de Paul Society begin
In 1832 an epidemic of cholera swept through Paris killing up to 1200 people each day. Large slums areas were forming in Paris; thousands of people lived without work, some without clothes, and many alcoholic. Homelessness, disease, and starvation were common.
A young student, Frederic Ozanam had to walk through the poorer suburbs on his way to university lectures each day and he soon became deeply moved at the hopeless state of families who had been left without the support of their breadwinners after the epidemic.
It was the taunt of an anti-religious opponent in a debating society founded by the students that stung him to action:
"You are right Ozanam when you speak of the past! In former times Christianity worked wonders, but what is it doing for mankind now? And you, who pride yourself on your Catholicity, what are you doing now for
the poor? Show us your works"
Frederic Ozanam gathered a few friends around him and on 23 April 1833, they met to decide what they could do to assist the poor. After the meeting Frederic and his flat mate took the remainder of
their winter wood supply and gave it to a widow. These young men attracted the comment "What can seven young men hope to achieve in alleviating the suffering of Paris?" Fortunately Ozanam paid little heed to their
comments, determined to satisfy his own conscience that he was doing what he could to bear witness to his Christian upbringing by assisting those less fortunate in the community.
The small group decided to adopt the name The Society of St Vincent de Paul after the Patron Saint of
Christian charity.
For Assistance with Food and Clothing Ring 1300 729 202 (Monday to Friday 9.00am-1.00pm)
(Most of the text on this page was extracted from the St Vincent de Paul website.)
In 1832 an epidemic of cholera swept through Paris killing up to 1200 people each day. Large slums areas were forming in Paris; thousands of people lived without work, some without clothes, and many alcoholic. Homelessness, disease, and starvation were common.
A young student, Frederic Ozanam had to walk through the poorer suburbs on his way to university lectures each day and he soon became deeply moved at the hopeless state of families who had been left without the support of their breadwinners after the epidemic.
It was the taunt of an anti-religious opponent in a debating society founded by the students that stung him to action:
"You are right Ozanam when you speak of the past! In former times Christianity worked wonders, but what is it doing for mankind now? And you, who pride yourself on your Catholicity, what are you doing now for
the poor? Show us your works"
Frederic Ozanam gathered a few friends around him and on 23 April 1833, they met to decide what they could do to assist the poor. After the meeting Frederic and his flat mate took the remainder of
their winter wood supply and gave it to a widow. These young men attracted the comment "What can seven young men hope to achieve in alleviating the suffering of Paris?" Fortunately Ozanam paid little heed to their
comments, determined to satisfy his own conscience that he was doing what he could to bear witness to his Christian upbringing by assisting those less fortunate in the community.
The small group decided to adopt the name The Society of St Vincent de Paul after the Patron Saint of
Christian charity.
For Assistance with Food and Clothing Ring 1300 729 202 (Monday to Friday 9.00am-1.00pm)
(Most of the text on this page was extracted from the St Vincent de Paul website.)