The St Vincent de Paul Society is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy- and by working together to shape a more just and compassionate society.
The Society aspires to be recognised as a caring Catholic charity offering a ‘hand up’ to people in need. We do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.
Here at St Roch’s Parish, we currently have 16 members. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and a widespread age group. We meet monthly on a Monday as a group for prayer and mutual support.
The St Vincent de Paul Society is the only charitable organisation that visits and assesses people in their homes. Due to the small number of local calls, we visit in the Prahran area on Wednesdays and South Melbourne area on Saturdays. We listen to clients’ requests and assist them if possible. We offer assistance in the form of food vouchers, paying bills or rent, Telstra phone cards and even furniture can be supplied within reason.
We do not receive any money from the government; our funds come mostly through donations and the income from the Vinnies’ shops, and with some fundraiser support.
St Roch’s Primary School has a division of the St Vincent De Paul Society called ‘Mini Vinnies’. Mini Vinnies is a group of primary school aged children who get together to help those in need within their school and local community. Mini Vinnies introduces children to social justice issues, to the St Vincent de Paul Society and to living faith through action.
Several Catholic primary schools throughout the Archdiocese participate in St Vincent de Paul Society Mini Vinnies. This exposes children to the work of the Society and enables them to undertake functions such as collection of food or books for families in need.
New members would be warmly welcomed. If interested in this sort of charity work, please feel free to contact any of the people listed below:
- President: Paul Townshend 0418 356 442
- Treasurer: Melinda Adams 9885 3885 / 0401 820 892
