It began with Mass at the Parish Church of Corpus Christi, celebrated by Bishop Richard, assisted by Rev. Seamus Mahon, who is also Spiritual Advisor for the Society in the Diocese.
In his homily Bishop Richard spoke of how the Society works
with the disadvantaged in ‘a quiet, unassuming and unpublicised way.’ He went
on to say that the SVP is rooted in a deep spirituality that recognises the
good in everyone. It can have a special place in the Year of Mercy, which begins
shortly, bringing to the marginalised and weakest the mercy of God.
As we exited the church there were a couple of charming ladies with collection bags at the door, reminding us that no opportunity to help the needy should be passed over.
Afterwards Bishop Richard and Deacon Seumas greeted SVP members and joined them in the parish hall for a discussion of the Society’s work accompanied by tea and an impressive selection of cakes.
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| President Ingrid Phillips makes a point to the gathered SVP members |
The SVP was founded more than 180 years ago and has
around 10,000 members in England & Wales, including more than 400 in this diocese.
In addition to its regular work of visiting the needy, sick, housebound and
elderly, the activities of the SVP in A&B include soup runs; a furniture
scheme; a holiday caravan; community shop; meals and transport for the elderly;
support to the homeless over winter and more. A particular feature of its work is ongoing support - both spiritual and financial - for overseas SVP Conferences in developing countries like India and the Sudan through what is referred to as the 'Twinnage' system, whereby each UK SVP Conference is linked with one or more overseas ones. The money sent overseas provides food and shelter to the starving and homeless, pays for eye camps and medical centres, helps train nurses and plumbers, aids widows in finding work, funds education for children and does lots more good work.
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