Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP)

Continuing prayer and the meeting with Christ through the poor

Founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam in Paris on April 1833, The Society of St Vincent de Paul was based and inspired by the exemplary charitable life led by St. Vincent DePaul.  As an established organization of 184 years old, the Society is one of the oldest charitable social and humanitarian organizations and is now in 140 countries with 800,000 members.

Our Vision and Mission

We seek the love of God through serving the poor and needy.  Our vocation rests on two core principles : CONTINUING PRAYER (deepening our faith) and the MEETING WITH CHRIST through the poor.  These principles have inspired us to serve the poor and needy with a deep respect, no matter where they come from, or what they believe, developing personal relationships with the people we visit.

As our motto exhorts “SERVIENS IN SPIE”….to serve in hope, the hope that comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.  We witness to the love of Christ through acts of charity through financial/rations aid distribution with special attention to befriending the poor, needy and disadvantaged. Through charity and friendship, brothers and sisters in SSVP including the FINs (Friends-In-Need), we help each other to grow in holiness through our interactions and prayers.

Funding

Principally, we are funded by the 2nd collection at the masses of the first weekend of each month.  There are also occasional one-time donations and the parish has also generously shared a portion of the Charities Week collection annually.

As trustees of your generous donations, we facilitate the distribution of these funds to genuine needy individuals, families, Nursing Homes and Schools.  Our society is registered with the Registrar of Societies with a governance structure made up of the National Council (NC) at country level, Particular Council (PC) Serangoon at a wider Serangoon district level comprising 5 Conferences and SFX Parish Conference level.  Annual external audit is also carried out to ensure transparency, responsibility and accountability.

Our activities

  • Raise funds (on alternate month’s first weekend’s 2nd collection).
  • Twice a month (2nd and 4th Thursdays), we meet to pray, reflect, share, discuss cases and plan activities.
  • Visitation to homes of adopted families (Friends-In-Need (FINs) and nursing homes.
  • Giving rations/financial aid to needy individuals, families and homes on the final Sunday of each month,
  • Facilitating holistic solutions in pastoral care including referral to appropriate church groups, social help organisations, government agencies eg Social Service Office (SSO) or Family Service Centre (FSC)
  • Our varied activities seek to involve parish adult and youth communities.
    • At a district and national level, we attend occasional faith formation or social skills talks and courses.
    • Organize activities for adopted families and beneficiaries (FINs, Friends-In-Need) e.g. Easter, Christmas, outings, lunches
    • Cover transport and lunch costs for some Cheshire Home Catholic residents worshipping in our church
    • Help parish organize annual Mass for the Sick
    • Collaborate with parish community in outreach programs to foreign workers’ workers’ dormitories or residential blocks
  • As members, Vincentians
    • attend an annual retreat for spiritual development
    • actively collaborate in church activities eg outreach to poor families
    • attend faith formation and short courses to better engage FINs.
    • are encouraged to contribute their time and energy, always keeping in mind God's Will and to do so cheerfully, sincerely, humbly and gently. "

Matthew 25: 35-40

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

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