[Frances Huxley – President, St Joseph’s St Vincent de Paul Victoria Conference]
Sixty years ago, a small group of St Joseph’s Parishioners established the St Joseph’s St Vincent de Paul Conference providing welfare to Warragul families missing life’s necessities and needing support. Like Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the Society in 1833, they believed in doing whatever it took to help those in need.
On August 10th, A MASS OF THANKSGIVING was held to celebrate the conference’s 60th anniversary. St Vincent de Paul members wanted to remember and honour those who forged the path for us, including those who have died, retired or moved away, and also those still present and working as Vincentians. We especially wanted to thank members of St Joseph’s congregation, the school communities of Marist Sion College, St Joseph’s and St Angela of the Cross for their continued support and generosity.
Conference Volunteers from Baw Baw and Latrobe Region also attended the Mass and all received a Blessing from Farther Brendan Hogan. Four active members were acknowledged with badges for their 110 years of combined service.
Our Conferences and members are unique in the service and support we offer with our home visits and discussion with families about their most pressing needs. Offering a listening ear and support can lead to solving underlying issues and presenting strategies and support with other agencies.
St Vincent de Paul Society also provides support to the community through food relief and our Vinnies stores, often through partnerships with other local organisations.
Our pantry is continually filled with donations gathered from Can Drives and Tinnies for Vinnies as well as donations for our Christmas gift giving each year from our Catholic schools and parish.
Baw Baw Food Relief is also a vital institution in our community, which our Society calls upon weekly in supporting us with food distribution.
Christmas gifting is supported yearly by the Uniting Church, Rotary, Lions, and the Warragul Leisure Centre as well as local supermarkets. Bendigo Bank has also had a display. For this we are grateful.
Our Vinnies store is run by the St Vincent de Paul Conference and enables us to support families with essential household expenses like food, education, medical expenses and utility bills.
Advocacy is crucial in supporting our community by voicing the needs of those who feel they have no voice. We actively connect with agencies to strive for the best results and help everyone we connect with.
We’re inspired and driven by our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, when he lay down the challenge in saying “Let us do without hesitation whatever good lies at our hands.”
