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Over 150 St Vincent de Paul members from across the Northern Region gathered to celebrate Volunteers’ Week at the Society’s annual Members’ Day. The joyful and reflective event recognised the vital role of SVP volunteers and the theme of the day centred around SVP’s newly launched strategic plan ‘Journey Together’.
The strategic plan has come to fruition after three years of consultation, listening and inclusion. SVP Spiritual Advisor Fr Perry Gildea, who addressed members, spoke powerfully about the importance of listening in the work of SVP. He reminded those attending of the Society’s founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and that often the greatest support members of SVP can give is a presence and attentiveness to those who seek help from SVP. His words resonated deeply with the theme of the day and the lived experience of SVP members and volunteers.
Delegates were encouraged to join in ‘Café Conversations’ with roundtable discussions considering the values and virtues of SVP, the meaning of membership and looking ahead to shaping the future of the Society.
Attendees put pen to paper on a ‘Volunteer’s Star’ sharing a word that embodies their interpretation of the Society and the impact SVP has in the world today. Words including ‘compassionate’, ‘kind’, ‘hope’, ‘love’, ‘empathy’ and ‘dignity’ were frequently noted, capturing the heartfelt essence of SVP and its dedicated volunteers who bring its ethos to life.
Five SVP members were singled out by Mary Waide, SVP Regional President for the Northern Region, to receive a Certificate of Commitment acknowledging their selfless service in their local communities.
An inspirational address was delivered by Counsellor Marie McGuigan, who is a former renal nurse. Marie encouraged members to take care of themselves while taking care of others as we are all ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’.
After dinner entertainment was provided by SVP Ambassador Malachi Cush. His performance included a carefully chosen selection of songs that reflected the values of SVP, culminating in a moving rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art’.
This Members’ Day also marked a poignant milestone as Mary Waide completed her final year as Regional President, following five years in the role. In her farewell address, Mary reflected on the challenges and achievements of her presidency – which began in the midst of the pandemic. She paid tribute to the board, SVP staff and her fellow members, expressing heartfelt thanks for their support, resilience and shared commitment during some of the Society’s most testing times.
Mary said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your Regional President. These past five years have taught me more than I could have imagined – about courage, about hope, and above all about the unwavering strength of our Vincentian family. Thank you to each and every one of you for walking this path with me.
“I’m grateful that with God’s help I have led you, our members, on this ‘Journey Together’ and it is now our responsibility and our duty to look to the future. We must embrace change and commit to the aims and objectives of the new strategic plan. We must continue on our ‘Journey Together’. We already know that together we are stronger. We can however, achieve much more, as we reach out to provide support with continued compassion to those in our local communities who need it most.”
SVP is an international charity and the largest voluntary charity on the island. SVP is committed to promoting self-sufficiency and working diligently for social justice. Dedicated SVP volunteers tirelessly work across all communities to support individuals, regardless of their background, who are battling poverty and social exclusion.
Funds raised from donors based in Northern Ireland are kept in the Northern Region and last year SVP spent £5 million across the Northern Region, in the key areas of electricity, food, gas, oil and household goods.
More information on the work of SVP can be found in the Northern Region Yearbook at: https://www.svp.ie/publications/
If you require help from SVP or if you would like to become a member, please visit www.svp.ie
