2020 meeting dates: January 20th, February 3rd & 17th, March 2nd & 16th, April 6th & 20th.
The aim of the St Vincent de Paul Society is the same today as it was at its conception in the 19th Century: to tackle poverty in all its forms through the provision of practical assistance to those in need. It is a world-wide organisation which is active in 149 countries. In England and Wales more than 10,000 volunteers annually carry out more than 500,000 recorded visits.
Person-to-person contact is an essential part of the Society’s ethos of supporting individuals with not only practical help but also friendship.
The Society operates in small groups called “Conferences” which are based in local parishes or schools. The St Gregory’s conference was founded in 1979 and currently has ten members who each volunteer a couple of hours a week, primarily to visit and befriend the elderly and housebound. As well as adult Conferences there are also groups for children and young people: there’s the Minnie Vinnies for primary school children, Youth SVP for secondary age and SVP 1833 for young adults.
We can also make small financial grants to help in a crisis, thanks to the generosity of twice yearly parish collections as well as legacies and donations. Our Conference is twinned with one in Kerala, India, to whom we make regular donations.
The Conference meets fortnightly for prayer and to plan visits and other activity. Potential members go through the government’s Disclosure and Barring Service process (formerly CRB) before being confirmed as full members.
If you are interested in joining, please leave your name and contact details by by email stgregorysua@btconnect.com or telephone 01789 292439 and we will be in touch.