Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs !

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an International, voluntary, fraternal and charitable organization of lay people, men and women, Catholic in their origin, character and traditions.

THE FOUNDER: Frederic Ozanam, a French youth aged twenty and his companions, founded in 1833 in Paris, a Society, named after its patron, St Vincent De Paul, the great Apostle of charity who lived in the 17th century in France to witness Christ's tender and compassionate love through service to Christ in the poor and the suffering. The Society of St. Vincent De Paul spread to India in 1863 - now known as National Council of India, SSVP’

FESTIVAL:

Birthday of Blessed Frederic Ozanam - 23rd April
Feast day of of Blessed Frederic Ozanam 9th September
Feast day of St. Vincent De Paul - 27th September.

Vincentian Vocation - A Preferential Option for the Poor

The vocation of the members of the Society, known as Vincentians, is to serve Christ in the poor and the suffering and to bear witness to Christ's compassionate and tender love and in the process, through the grace of God, journey together towards holiness which is perfect union with Christ and the perfection of love.

The Society serves the needy through person-to-person contact, irrespective of caste, creed, ethnic original, colour, opinion, cultural, social, religious and political differences.

Any form of help, in accordance with the needs of the person that alleviate suffering or deprivation and foster human dignity and integrity is permissible.

Although the basic work of the Society is helping people individually, the Society promotes self-help and welfare projects, and sponsors special works beneficial to groups and communities.

Vincentians do not attempt to preach or convert, nor attach any conditions to their help. At all times, to uphold the dignity and self-respect of the person helped and avoid any trace of patronizing attitude.

The Society is expected to co-ordinate with other organizations, religious or secular to fulfill its objectives.

Visits to adopted families, orphanages, hospitals & other charitable institutions are more important and valuable than the aid in the form of materials and money. Vincentians are expected to serve in hope and in a spirit of prayer.

Who is a member:

Active members: Full membership in the Society, renew pledge of loyalty annually, actively participate in meetings, visits to beneficiaries and other activities of the Society.

Retired members: Retired from active membership due to old age, physical disability, shifting to residence where there is no SVP unit functioning but willing to help the Society in other respects.

Auxiliary members: Those who help in various ways regularly by co-operating in fund-raising, outings, entertainment etc.,

Benefactors: Those who help regularly or occasionally with moral or material support.

Beneficiaries: Those whom the Society provides moral or material support in a spirit of Christian Charity.

Spiritual Advisor: Those who help to develop members in their spirituality.

There are three essential dimensions of membership of our Society:

• The horizontal dimensions - towards the poor whom we seek and visit
• The vertical dimensions - towards God - the spiritual development of members
• The support dimension and fraternal community - towards one another -unity and Friendship between members and mutual support in discerning the best way to help.

SSVP : SOME VITAL STATISTICS - As on 31st March 2014:

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is established in 149 countries all over the world including Communist China and countries which hardly have any Catholic population.

There are 83 Central Councils pan India of which Central Council of Bombay is one of them. Central Council of Bombay has 8 Area Councils and 92 Conferences.

Number of active members in India : 63,525
Number of Auxiliary members in India : 93,210
Number of Adopted families for Education aid : 20,622
Number of persons who have been given employment : 7852
Number of persons brought back to the Sacrament : 17,229

Society of St. Vincent De Paul – St Vincent Pallotti Parish- Vijay Nagar, Marol - was started in the year 2003 by Sis Maggie Fernandes, Bro Anthony Francis, Sis Mabel D’Cunha, Sis Eliza D’Mello & Bro Abraham D’Souza.

Weekly meetings: Every Wednesday - 7.45 p.m. in the ground floor meeting room

Regular attendance at the weekly meetings is fundamental work of an active member.

Meetings begin with opening prayers - Bible reading - Spiritual talk /sharing

Minutes of the previous meeting are read

Reports on visits made by members to the aided families in the past week

Reports on any new investigations, decisions and sanction are taken jointly.

Reports on any special aid towards medical, education, house repair etc., requested are discussed and joint decision & sanction are taken.

The minutes of the meeting are recorded by the Secretary.

Secret collection bag is passed round - the amount collected from members is added to the funds of the conference.

Closing prayers: Meetings lasts for approx 1 hour.

Weekly visits to the aided families: The different areas in the parish are covered and divided amongst the members. The main charitable work of a Conference is adopting poor families and regular visitation which is done usually in groups of 2 or 3 members. Each group of 2 or 3 members is allocated a certain area and family in rotation. The areas are changed after a period of around one year. A team of minimum two members visit the aided families. By the first week of the month the monthly aid is given. The joy of reaching out directly to the needy, sharing and spending quality time with the family is achieved by a Vincentian.

At present we are a team of 33 members : 23 active membes and 10 auxiliary members

Getting to know who is needy & poor: Recommendations are received through Catholic & Non Catholic neighbours, Small Christian Community members, some approach us directly - at the meeting room or members.

Procedure for adopting a family: Members visiting the area visit the respective family, study the background and the need of the family. An investigation form is filled. This is reported, discussed at the meeting and a joint decision & sanction is taken to help/adopt the family or reject. Help towards medical, education, ration, house repair etc is given.

Depending on the condition and need of the family, aid is sanctioned.

One time help after proper investigation and sanction is also given as the need arises.

Housing: We help families with repair and maintenance of their houses, specially pre-monsoon repairs.

Education: Encouragement towards Education is given to school and college students in need of help. We have been able to help many students who have passed out of school, doing well in college and higher education. Career guidance is also given to students.

Rehabilitation: We help our families till they are able to rehabilitate themselves. We do have families who come up to us to stop aiding them once they are able to sustain on their own.

Annual: Annual picnic for all the families, day full of fun, food and games.
Christmas: A hamper packed with food grains, gift articles etc. is given to each family.
Visits to 3 permanent projects of Central Council of Bombay :
a) Niramay Niketan: Leprosy & Aids Hospice in Trombay
b) Shanti Bhavan - Home for the Aged in Kalyan
c) Ozanam Community Kitchen, Cheetah Camp, Trombay

Office Bearers:

President: Eugene Das - 9833894438
Vice President: Anthony Francis - 9821426919
Secretary: Marina D’Souza - 9821146507
Treasurer : Leena Barnes - 9833521344
Jt. Secretary : Valerian Boothello - 9987344984