SVP

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic organisation and was founded in Paris in 1833 by a young French student called Frederic Ozanam (now beatified), based on the work done in Paris many years earlier by St Vincent himself. It's main aim was to bring help to the many disadvantaged people in the areas where the society worked and to sanctify its members through prayer and spiritual reading.

A conference has existed in English Martyrs parish since the 1930s with a break between 1958 and 1963. At present there are eight members, 5 men and three women, who meet weekly to do some visiting and to attend one meeting per week.

Our work is mainly visiting elderly people in our parish, to support them, help them in any way we can, keep them in touch with the parish and help them financially if necessary. We also visit some families and help them. Some of the members are also ministers of the Eucharist and take communion out to those unable to attend church.

We are always looking for new members who are willing to make a commitment to an hour or so's visiting each week and to a weekly meeting, which includes prayer, spiritual reading, discussion and reports on visits, and lasts about an hour. All business discussed is confidential. Meetings are on Thursdays at 8.00pm in the Church Hall. Anyone interested in finding out more about the society should contact the president on York 791289.

Mike Walmsley (President)