The Covid-19 lockdowns have resulted in a sharp rise in requests for support from the St Vincent de Paul Society across New Zealand. The response from volunteers and donors has been tremendous, says Marlena Hoeft-Marwick, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society. “Some people have donated money, others have given food items and Read more
The St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Society, this week, launched a National Recovery Appeal to help the increasing numbers of individuals and families struggling from the impact of Covid-19. The Appeal will run until December. The goal is to raise $4 million to provide people with economic, social and emotional support during these times of Read more
Catholic agencies and individuals around Aotearoa-New Zealand are busy working from home and still-open “essential services” supporting communities in need during the Level 4 COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown. Work that is less visible nationally but very important locally is happening everywhere. Foodbanks and soup kitchens are two very busy basic services working hard behind the scenes. Read more
For the first time, St Vincent de Paul has included a commitment to caring for the environment as an integral part of its strategic plan for the next five years. Caring for the planet is an essential part of living the Gospel today, says John Kennedy-Good, leader of the Society’s social justice outreach. “Vincentians are Read more
The St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington Area hosted a festival Mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mount Victoria on Thursday to celebrate the Feast Day of the Society’s patron, Saint Vincent de Paul. Read more
The Ozanam House Trust has provided accommodation in Palmerston North for cancer patients and their caregivers since 1967 It was the brainchild of members of the Palmerston North St. Vincent de Paul Society. People requiring treatment for cancer have, until now, had to go to Palmerston North from other mid-north Island places to receive treatment Read more
A series of regional seminars is being run throughout New Zealand focusing on spiritual renewal and the recruitment of new members to join the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The seminars, run by the Society’s National Spiritual Adviser Fr Jeff Drane, are being held in the coming months in response to requests from Vincentians Read more
In total, 68 children including one newborn baby will spend Christmas at Birkenhead’s de Paul House, a housing and support service for homeless families. Manager Jan Rutledge said the number of families they will be providing for at Christmas this year is the most it ever has experienced. De Paul House was established in the early Read more
For just the second time in its long history, the St Vincent de Paul Society in New Zealand has elected a woman to be its new national president. Marlena Hoeft-Marwick has been involved with the Society of St Vincent de Paul since she was in primary school and has come up through the ranks of Read more
Palmerston North settled more than 40 households of approximately 160 former refugees over the last 12 months, according to the Red Cross Service Centre. They include Burmese Muslim, Rohingya from Myanmar, Palestinians from Syria, Afghan Dari speakers, Karen from Myanmar, South Sudanese and Bhutanese Nepali. The centre trains over 100 volunteers to work in teams Read more