SVP - St Vincent de Paul

SVP Meeting

The next meeting of the parish SVP Conference will take place in Cathedral House at 7pm on Monday 3rd December. New members are always welcome!

Keeping in touch

SVP events and contact list Many parishioners will be aware of the tremendous work carried out by the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP). 
Two annual events for our senior, and often house-bound, parishioners are the Epiphany party (in January) and the Summer Barbeque (around July).  To see some highlights from our 2017 Epiphany party.



The SVP are trying to establish if any parishioners would like to be added to their contact list for these events? This would help them to let you know of SVP events and also if you would like on-going contact from the SVP maybe a home visit or a phone call. If you don’t currently receive invites to SVP events and would like to please contact the SVP directly on 07946 805745

Feast of St Vincent de Paul

Image of St Vincent de Paul

Today we celebrate the feast of St Vincent de Paul who was born in 1581 in the town of Pouy in south west France (the village continues but is now named after him!) 
Vincent’s family was very poor but his call to the priesthood was so strong that worked to finance his studies. Indeed he was ordained priest in the year 1600 at the age of 19 even though the Council of Trent had set the minimum age for a priest at 24. 
After a number of years in continued study Vincent’s gifts of working for and with the poor were recognised in the highest orders of French society. 
This was to be his life’s work and when he died in 1660 he had founded orders of men and woman to take forward his work. His spirituality of sacrifice and service was taken up by many lay-people. In 1833 the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) was founded, especially by Blessed Frederick Osanan and they now operate in 132 countries.

Logo of SVP Society in England

Turning concern into action - SVP Website
In our parish we have a very dedicated and hard working Conference (group) of the SVP and there will always be the need to attract new member of the conference to assist in taking this out reach work forward. The Conference meets at 7-8pm usually on the first Monday of the month in Cathedral House.
 Please consider giving your time to this work and joining the group. Please speak with one of the parish clergy to find out more information. You’ll be very welcome. Fr Steve

And a reminder of last years Epiphany party organised by the parish SVP society.

Welcome Back - Update on regular activities

After a break for the summer the Blog is back.  And so are many of the parish groups and activities that have been taking a break.

We are asked to remember teachers and pupils from Cathedral Primary and Our Lady's Catholic College as they go back to school.  We remember all pupils starting a new school and hope they will settle in and begin to make new friends.

Children's Liturgy at will be starting again next weekend for school aged children.  Younger children who are able to participate are welcome to attend, parents may wish to attend for a week or two to allow children to settle. St Thomas More at 9.30am Mass and Cathedral at 10.30am Mass

Choir returns after a well earned rest and are ready to welcome new members, rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7.15pm at Cathedral House.

Gospel Sharing group - 4th Thursday month at St Thomas More's starting again on Thursday 27th September at 7.30pm


Meditation - as the pace of life picks up why not consider building in some time to spend in quiet contemplation on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 7.00 to 8.00pm 


St Vincent de Paul Society - next meeting at Cathedral House Monday 10th September at 7.00pm

SVP enriching parish life

As we start 2015 we look back at some of the highlights of the parish St Vincent de Paul conference and remind you of their annual Epiphany party to be held on Sunday 4th January, between 2.00 and 5.00pm in the Social Centre.  Please get in touch with Sue 07881 386 922 or Cathedral Office 384820 if you know of anyone who would like to attend and who needs help with transport.  
Throughout the year members of the SVP visit, shop, bring people to Mass, offer assistance to families in need, organise activities including the annual Epiphany party and this year a summer trip to Keswick.

On the 20^th September a group of twenty one set off from the cathedral at 8.30 for a day out in Keswick.  It was run and funded by the Cathedral’s SVP conference thanks to a bequest made by Frances Tanner.  We chose Lune Valley Transport as they have a tail lift and space for those with mobility needs. Upon arriving in Keswick at about 10am, we all made our separate ways around Keswick. As it was Saturday it was market day and thus as well as the shops and cafes, we looked around the different stalls set up in the lovely market square.  At noon, the group then went to Castlerigg Manor, the diocese centre used for 

retreats.  Fr Phillip welcomed the group, giving us a tour around the newly refurbished building and of course having the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views over the North Lakes.  Lunch was then provided (roast chicken and potatoes and vegetables followed by apple pie).  It was delicious.  

After lunch a number of year 11 and 12 students from All Hallows School in Preston met our group, served us coffee and then chatted with everyone.  

They were on a retreat for the weekend and are members of the school SVP society. They were a credit to Castlerigg and their school and for many of the group, it was one of the highlights of the day.  We left Castlerigg at 2pm and then headed off to the lake.  Most of the group went on a trip around Derwent Water on a lovely old launch.  The views from the boat were spectacular.  The rest of the group had tea and cake in the Theatre Café.  All good things have to come to an end and we departed from Keswick at about 3.30 and made our way back to Lancaster.
 

We are sure that Frances Tanner would have been pleased that we used her bequest in this way. We are already planning the next trip out.  Thanks to Nial a member of the SVP for his account of the day out.

To learn more about the SVP and ways you can join the group or contribute to their work please see SVP page

Mass and Anointing of the Sick

Mass and Anointing of the Sick
On Saturday 20th December at 2pm in the Social Centre,
there will be a mass especially for members of our parish who struggle to get out of the house, the chronically ill or those with mobility difficulties.
The mass will be celebrated in the Social Centre on Balmoral Road and is open to all parishioners from St Peter’s and St Thomas More.
To learn more about this healing sacrament and the oil of the sick.

Transport is being arranged by our SVP conference and a sign up sheet is available at the back of church for people to indicate that they require transport.

Watch out for further details of the SVP Epiphany Party on Sunday 4th January 2015.  To watch the SVP video from last year's party 

SVP for younger parishioners

St Vincent de Paul for younger readers
For our younger readers you may want to look at the Mini Vinnies website which has games, activities, ideas and prayers.  We don't have a mini vinnies in our parish yet, but that should not stop you for 'turning your concern for other people into action. Mini Vinnies website

St Vincent de Paul for youth

For news of what young people as members of the St Vincent de Paul youth group are doing check out the SVP facebook page, A recent post - they suggest that next time you find yourself perusing Amazon, please consider making the purchase through the website’s charity donation program, Amazon Smile, and donate .5% of your purchase to St. Vincent de Paul! This has no extra cost to you and benefits many families in need. For more information visit: https://smile.amazon.com/

St Vincent de Paul and Lancaster SVP

St Vincent de Paul, pray for us.

Today we celebrate the feast of St Vincent de Paul to learn more about his life watch this short video on the life of St Vincent de Paul

During the month of September we have been learning more about the work of the SVP who try to turn their concern into action.  A chance to support their fund raising during this month of awareness raising.

Lancaster Conference SVP - see SVP Page for details
Sue McFadden, Chair of the parish SVP Conference, writes:
Here at the Lancaster conference it has been a very productive and busy few months. The highlight has been our SVP summer barbecue and party which included transport, food, alcoholic beverages, entertainment, gifts and raffle. It was a huge success and over 60 people in the community attended.

SVP Meet on the first Monday of month in Cathedral House

Niall has recently organised a fantastic trip to Castlerigg, Keswick with other SVP members and it seems to have been a great success, but more about this to follow in the week ahead. In our meetings, we have been discussing  our visits and continuing to offer support both emotionally and financially. We have provided money for a trip to Lourdes, beds and bed frames, food and basic goods , and other necessities. Most importantly the group has continued with visits and support. We are now discussing Christmas Hampers and the Epiphany party.  To see details of our last Epiphany party including video.

New members always welcome

St Vincent de Paul through children's art

This month is when we take time to learn more about the work of the St Vincent de Paul society.  The video shows pictures of St Vincent de Paul and some of his famous sayings.
St Vincent de Paul through the eyes of children lasts about 3.30mins and has ideas for creating art work inspired by the St Vincent de Paul.

It would be lovely if any of our young people were able to create pictures which pick up on this years' awareness themes.

The SVP aim to ...

Welcome the Stranger …

Comfort the Bereaved …

Befriend the Lonely …

Feed the Hungry …

Visit the Prisoner …

Care for the Sick. 

SVP Awareness Month

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society offers support to those in need in many ways. See further details on the SVP page. 
During the month of September there is a national campaign to help raise awareness of what they do.
They aim to …
Welcome the Stranger …
Comfort the Bereaved …
Befriend the Lonely …
Feed the Hungry …
Visit the Prisoner …
Care for the Sick. 

The regular donations to the Doorstep collection provides valuable income but, in this SVP Awareness month they ask those who are able to make an extra effort to support the work of our own SVP by adding a £2 coin to the appeal stand available at the back of church at the end of Mass. They have some £2 coins you can swap for £1 coins if you don't have a £2 coin.

Over the coming weeks we'll have more about their campaign.

Let your light shine

Children showing how they will let their light shine

At children's liturgy the children thought about how they could follow Jesus' message from today's reading and let their light shine.  We sang 'this little light of mine' and shared ways in which we could share God's love. The corporal acts of mercy are ways we can help our neighbour with the things they need. 

Corporal Acts of Mercy

• feed the hungry
• shelter the homeless
• clothe the naked
• visit the sick and imprisoned
• bury the dead
• give alms to the poor

In the parish we have the SVP who help those in need and many parishioners have been helping the homeless by bringing things for Christchurch Emergency Night shelter.

SVP Epiphany Party

One of the many tables of visitors catching up
and tucking into the party food

The SVP Epiphany party was a great success thanks to all the hard work of many people in the parish who donated gifts and helped on the day as well as the core members of the SVP who have made that regular commitment of service.

We've made a short video with photos from the day including some familiar faces.
Link to video 3.30sec

  

Some Christmas Carols from the Choir

Tombola with help from our young people

SVP To find out more about the SVP visit our page and if you are interested in joining us then please come along to our next meeting on the first Monday of the Month at Cathedral House.

10th Day of Christmas - SVP Christmas Party

10th Day of Christmas
Today the ten remind us of the number of Commandments given to Moses.  The video of the 10 commandments lasts 3 minutes and explains the commandments in simple language for children.
The colouring sheet of the 10 commandments
A memory aid for teenagers and adults - using the initial letters of  I AM THE LORD
Many people use the 10 commandments to help them to examine their conscience before going to the sacrament of reconciliation -  Examination of conscience based on the 10 commandments

Christmas Video
Our video today is a Christmas reflection showing the vision of St Vincent de Paul

SVP Christmas Party
Don't forget our own SVP Society are holding an Epiphany Party on Sunday 5th January.  See SVP contact details for further information.

Advent 3 - Joy

Today is the third Sunday in Advent, known as Gaudate Sunday, which means rejoice.  It can sometimes be a challenge to find things to rejoice about, especially in the grey, damp and dark days of this time of the year.  The children received a card from John the Baptist, who was in prison, not much to be joyful about, yet, Jesus disciples came and told him how Jesus had come to give sight to the blind ... he was told of the good news Yet we are reminded in the reading of the Good News that Jesus brings and in following our Baptismal calling some in our parish are trying to bring joy as well as practical help to those in need.  The recent shoebox appeal and response to the call for resources for the Homeless shelter , responding to news that someone is unwell, or making a phone call to someone we've not spoken to for a while all offer other ways in which we can try to bring joy to others. In the coming week, what joy can we bring, or perhaps in sharing a sadness allow others to bring us joy.

Advent 3: Rejoice

God of light, you sent your Son into the world to guide us and show us how to live. Help us as we journey through advent to rejoice.  Help us to bring joy to people who are sad.  Amen

Bringing joy through practical action ...
Thanks to a member of the SVP who sent us this update of some of the things they do.  For further information about the SVP.  
We Christians know that we are to love our neighbours; and the parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that this covers a wide variety of people, in fact anyone we come across.  But working with the SVP shows us what a wide variety of tasks it may cover, too.
Let me give an example: a team of four SVP members from the Cathedral parish take an old man who lives by himself and can barely walk, by car every week to visit his wife, who is very ill and in a nursing-home.  There they are both given Communion; and later in the day he is brought home again.  Then, another day , we do his weekly shopping.  So in this team operation we combine some of the traditional 'corporal works of mercy' with help in transport and shopping, as well as with Eucharistic ministry.  This, I have found is a moving example of the width of the Christian vocation, and of what can be done by a few people co-operating with each other.

Friday Photos of Faith - People of Faith

Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints - those Saints we are named after, take as our Confirmation name from, those who are patrons of our Church, or our hobbies and interests.  Today we celebrate and remember those saints known and unknown.  The day was chosen by Pope Gregory III in 731-741 when he consecrated  a chapel in the Basilica of St Peter to all the saints.  We remember the saints when we say the Creed 'I believe ... the Holy Catholic Church and Communion of Saints.

Altar server clearing awaay after Mass

Today one of our new servers helped Fr Stewart during Mass.  Here he is clearing away after Mass, learning about some of the preparation and clearing away that is part of the role of server.

"There is a lot to remember - so you really have to watch carefully"








A busy weekend ahead
Feast of All Souls
The 12.15 mass will be offered for all those who have died in the past year. 
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

First Saturday Rosary
Tomorrow we have the first Saturday Rosary at 5.15pm in the Cathedral.  To read more about the Rosary which was object 52 in the Year of Faith and how Mary shows the way.

Shoebox Appeal - Last few days for collection
Boxes can be left at Cathedral House or Cathedral School and need to be dropped off by Monday 11^th November in time for collection around 15^th November

Box for collection at the back of church

St Vicent de Paul Meeting 
Monday 4th November at 7.00pm in Cathedral House.  New members welcome.  To read more about the SVP and how they offer a helping hand.  If you know of someone who is need of help, let one of the members know. 

Offering a helping hand

Thanks to a member of the SVP who has sent an update of what they do and ideas about future plans.  If you belong to a group within the parish we'd welcome having an update of what you do, this gives all of us a chance to hear how members of the parish are responding to God's call and living out their faith.

St Vincent de Paul Society - SVP for short!

We meet once a month on the first Monday of the month, for about an hour, to plan our work.  Our main activity is visiting people in the parish, which may involve doing their shopping or giving them lifts.  On average, I suppose, each member visits one or two people per week.

Poster in porch

We also give financial assistance to some parishioners, for example, by helping them to buy food or school uniforms - Miss Goddard at the Cathedral School sometimes gives us information about deserving cases, but if you know of someone or are in need yourself then please get in touch with one of the members.  
We held parties this year for about sixty pensioners at the beginning of January and in July (see below).  Next year we are planning to supplement this by organizing one or two trips, e.g. to the shrine at Ladywell.  We are also discussing ways of helping Fr Kevin and Fr Stewart to help with supporting homeless people who call at Cathedral House for food and drink.  For further information see SVP page.

Pictures from SVP Party 2013

St Vincent de Paul

Today we celebrate the feast of St Vincent de Paul.  To learn more about his life the short video on the Life of St Vincent de Paul or play below.  

In the past year the parish has reformed an SVP society and have been offering support to those in need organising Epiphany and summer parties for our older parishioners, supporting individuals by providing transport to Mass, providing financial support to families in need.  If you'd like to know more about the SVP within the parish read the SVP page and consider coming along to their next meeting which takes place on 1st Monday of the month at 7.30pm  in Cathedral House.

To learn more about the SVP see:
the SVP website and 
an earlier post  SVP awareness month.

St Vincent de Paul SVP - Awareness Month

This month the St Vincent de Paul Society are sharing news of how they are GIVING TIME to LOVE and SERVE others in our community. The images below are from an information leaflet. If you want to learn more or would like to get involved then why not join them at their next meeting on Monday 7th October at Cathedral House.  See SVP page for further details of our parish group.   

On 9th September it was feast day of the SVP's founder Blessed Frederick Ozanam, who was born 200 years ago on 23rd April 2013 to read more see the recent press release. 

Charity must never look to the past but always to the future

Blessed Frederick Ozanam (SVP Founder)

May we carry the gifts to the poor and to the rich the words of gratitude

Blessed Frederick Ozanam (SVP Founder)

Yours must be a work of love, you must give your time, your talents yourselves

Blessed Frederick Ozanam (SVP Founder)

Social well-being can be learned not from books, but in climbing the
stairs to a poor person's garret

Blessed Frederick Ozanam (SVP Founder)

 To learn more about SVP society see their website.