For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matt 25:35-36
Brendan Podbury, a St Vinnies Team Leader from Melbourne, was invited by the Sunbury Conference of the St Vincent De Paul Society to speak to a gathering of 27-28 parishioners of our parish (including some current members of the conference) about the activities of the Society.
The night started with a prayer, emphasising, as Brendan said, the Catholic and Religious nature of the Society.
Then Brendan spoke about the history of the Society and it’s current situation. He said the aim was to provide a hand-up not a hand-out and that their work was relationship based. We were told about the work with the young and of the work of the Mini-Vinnies. 90% of the funds raised by St Vincent’s is distributed to those in need.
Brendan then spoke of the Aged Care and Community Service side of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s work which is funded 66% by the Government. This part of the Society has about 550 paid workers and is supported by about 500 volunteers.
The “Vinnies” shops provide most of the funds for the Society in it’s charitable work and in Sunbury are always looking for volunteers and for sellable goods.
The Conference Chairman, John McGovern, then spoke about his experiences. Going visiting in pairs, hours of meetings, the different things that can be done. Things that range from home visits in order to hand out a food voucher, to prison visits, nursing home visits, prisoners family councelling, soup kitchens and many others. John said the Society will take whatever people are able to give whether it be 2 hours a week or 2 hours a month.
The night finished with a prayer and a cup of tea.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 