The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is an international voluntary organization in the Catholic Church, founded in 1833 for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor. Innumerable Catholic parishes have established “conferences”, most of which affiliate with a diocesan council. Among its varied efforts, to offer material help to the poor or needy takes prominence. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 to help impoverished people living in the slums of Paris, France. The primary figure behind the Society’s founding was Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, a French lawyer, author, and professor in the Sorbonne. Frédéric collaborated with Emmanuel Bailly, editor of the Tribune Catholique, in reviving a student organization which had been suspended during the revolutionary activity of July 1830. Ozanam was 20 years old when he founded the Society. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

Paris. France. 23 April 1833. A group of young university students, seeing the social inequality and injustice all around them, decided to take action, hoping to change the world. They formed the first “Conference of Charity”, a group of friends who wanted to share their faith and put it into action. Prayer and action came together in their visits to the poorest parts of Paris. It was a Daughter of Charity, Sister Rosalie Rendu, who guided and supported them, instructing them about the teachings of Saint Vincent de Paul. In 1834, the Conferences took St. Vincent as their patron saint, and dedicated themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The following year, the first Rule was produced, and in 1839 the International Council General was formed.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is present in over 150 countries, with 800,000 members and 1,500,000 volunteers. Every day, it helps over 30 million people. The SVP is an associate member of UNESCO and a special adviser to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is also part of the Global Catholic Climate Movement and is aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations in its Agenda 2030.

What does an SVP group do?

The SVP relies on the support of its volunteers. More members are needed to ensure that its work continues to grow and flourish. Every group, or ‘Conference’, meets regularly to discuss how to help people in their area. Each group has its own particular specialisms reflecting local need, this may include:

  • Visiting and befriending older or lonely people
  • Running a soup run or food bank
  • Supporting homeless people
  • Aiding refugees and asylum seekers
  • Supporting vulnerable families and children
  • Visiting prisoners and their families

By joining the SVP, you can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people in your community. As a member, you’ll join a strong network of like-minded volunteers and staff across the country and gain access to a wealth of resources and training. If you already do some community outreach in your area, you can continue your great work with additional support from the SVP at the deanery and the diocesan level.

What sort of people are we looking for?

Membership is open to anyone. The SVP only asks that you accept our Christian ethos. We help all people irrespective of their background or religion. The only criterion for who we help is their need. We look for members who are, above all, caring and compassionate. We want people who are good listeners, confidential and non-judgemental of others. If this sounds like you, please get in touch with us. We’re committed to combatting poverty and providing support and friendship to people in our local communities. There are many ways you can get involved with the work of St. Vincent de Paul Society, by becoming a member or a volunteer.

The SVP in the parish of Katukurunda was started on 21st January 1956. On 26th April 1976 St. Mary’s Conference of St. Vincent De Paul Society, Katukurunda was registered and affiliated to the conference of St. Patrick’s in the city of Taupo, in New Zealand. This affiliation has completed forty years. The parish Vincent de Paul Society has carried out many valuable services to the community such as giving monthly aid to the poor, house renovations, funding self-employment efforts of poor individuals and families, giving assistance in sudden disasters, giving medical assistance to those who are sick, giving scholarships to worthy students, giving help in organizing funerals to those unable to afford expenses, distribution of material for clothing and stationaries for children during Christmas, helping those unemployed to find occupation, helping the poor and the illiterate to make essential documents, taking care of sick and the elderly by visiting them in their houses etc.

We invite those with a generous heart to contribute financially through generous donations the efforts such as mentioned above which are carried out in the parish. At the moment less than 10 members (mostly elderly above 50 years all female) consists of the parish SVP. It is in a dire need of new members, especially men both young and elderly. In the parish of Katukurunda this society is in the clear decline unless people other than the Parish Priest realize and take some interest to revive this Society.

Coordinators: Chandralatha Perera (0740772464), Calista Fernando (0781232560)