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December 2015 News Society of St Vincent Ozanam December 2015 News Society of St Vincent Serving in hope de Paul Scotland COUNCIL OF SCOTLAND SR AGNES MCGARVIE National Spiritual Advisor JAMES MCKENDRICK National President (Trustee) KEITH WHITEHEAD Trustee National Treasurer RICHARD STEINBACH Trustee St Andrews & Edinburgh CHRISTINE GRAY Trustee Glasgow MICHAEL DOWDS Trustee Paisley JOHN JOYCE Trustee Dunkeld ELIZABETH HERLIHY Trustee Aberdeen JOE MACEACHAN Trustee Motherwell/VIP VACANT Galloway IAN TIERNEY Twinning Projects GET INVOLVED SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES AND PICTURES Thanks to all who have contributed articles and images. All contributions gratefully received. We’re always looking for member profiles, updates and any interesting news from conferences. Please email submissions to [email protected] SSVP Scotland thanks everyone for their generous contributions to our second Syrian Refugee Appeal. A total amount of £60,827.79 was raised in just three months and has now been forwarded to Paris for onward distribution. This appeal is now closed. lPictures of SSVP Scotland annual conference courtesy of Canave Photography. Publishing policy 1. The objective is to publish a new Ozanam News, which will be issued three times per year, Easter, Autumn and Christmas. We hope to have each latest edition posted to our new website once construction is complete for online viewing simultaneously. To facilitate this, a member of the National Council has been made responsible for its operation along with the National Office staff and a conference member with editorial experience. Pray for the poor 2. In accordance with National Council requirements, the in- tention will be not to feature ‘editorial’ pieces. Any material Bishop John Keenan deemed to detract from the Society’s broader aims will be ap- celebrates mass proved by the National Council prior to publication. Hopefully these arrangements will help the new Ozanam News develop near a small statue into a more humorous, educational and spiritual publication which will concentrate on bringing the Society, its Members of St Vincent de and Associates closer together. With this Togetherness’ in mind, National Council Agenda business could well become a regular Paul. See pages 4-5 feature in the magazine. In the main, letters for publication will normally be from Twinning parties - regarded as reports. Other letters will be accepted for publication with an added footnote or returned for discussion by the respective Council and/or President if thought to be more appropriate. Details of deceased members will be included in the Obituary List, but no further Obituary/ eulogy material will be accepted. President’s message Let us go to Bethlehem ( LUKE 2:15) Jim McKendrick is national president of the St National President Jim McKendrick reflects on the Vincent de Paul Society in Scotland. He has been a anticipation of the Christmas season – and the crucial member for nearly 40 years, having previously been opportunities to witness the joy of the child Jesus by president of SSVP Galloway Diocese and a member helping those who may struggle at this time of year. of his local conference at St John’s, Stevenston. T Christmas we delight again to hear the The sick, housebound, elderly men and women Astory of the journey to Bethlehem, the song and many others who have become socially of the angels, the surprise of the shepherds, and isolated due to their sickness, age, infirmity or their joy as they find Jesus in the manger. the death of spouse, friends and relatives. We must travel along with the shepherds, car- As Mother Teresa said “The poverty in the rying in our hearts the angel’s proclamation that west is a different kind of poverty...it’s not only a today a Saviour is born for you; and like the shep- poverty of loneliness, but of spirituality.” herds, we should praise and glorify God. l Lest we forget He felt the pain of life and l But lest we forget He was born to poverty; death; we remember now those who are ill, we must remember at this season all who are or anxious, or bereaved. hungry, cold or homeless. In our conferences too, the changing season brings us fresh challenges and opportunities. Long, But lest we forget he was born dark nights and falling temperatures significantly to poverty; we must remember increase the need for heating and light. Combined with high energy costs, this can only at this season all who are hungry, exacerbate the fuel poverty which already affects cold or homeless. around 647,000 (27 per cent) of households in Scotland. During the Christmas season especially, loneli- ness and food/fuel poverty present us with both Christmas can be especially difficult for those a challenge and an opportunity to seek out and who are sick, worried or grieving. Our visits, serve the poor and needy. friendship and prayers can be particularly wel- This season also speaks to us of anticipation, of come and beneficial at this time. looking forward to new life at springtime, to a new And because we know He came for our sal- church year, to the coming of our Saviour and the vation, let us in heart and mind go once again fullness of redemption. to Bethlehem, to learn the true meaning of In our conferences we are eager with anticipa- Christmas: the birth of the child Christ. tion – looking forward to fulfilling our vocation to As we endure the harshness of this season, serve the poor. we are joyously anticipating the advent of our As Frederic our founder said: “Charity must never Emmanuel at Christmas while looking forward look to the past, but always to the future, because to the death and resurrection, which offer us the number of its past works is still very small and the the chance of redemption and eternal life. present and future miseries that it must alleviate are The changing of the seasons reminds us of infinite.” God who is always present in the world and l And lest we forget He became a refugee; we can bring “summer out of winter”, yet some- remember the stranger and the lonely among us. how transcends our understanding of the nat- This is also a challenging time for many people ural world. As the Jesuit poet Gerald Manley who lack the ability, confidence or motivation to Hopkins expressed it: “He fathers forth whose venture out into the harsh weather and darkness. beauty is beyond change. Praise Him!” CELTIC Park was the venue for the 2015 annual national meeting of the Society of St Annual Vincent de Paul, Scotland. Bishop John Keenan celebrated mass and later gave the keynote address, National titled ‘Don’t Forget the Poor. ’ There was an excellent presentation from members of the youth section of the Meeting SSVP while entertainment was supplied by the talented lads from Jericho House in 2015 Greenock. Special works Celebrate Bishop John Keenan with the founding volunteers, the Lord Lieutenant, his cadet and the scores of participants who make the club happen. QUEEN’S AWARD FOR OZANAM CLUB THE Ozanam Club in Paisley celebrated a top national honour Funny fancy dress from the Queen. It received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the corporate equiv- alent of an MBE! The Lord- Lieutenant, on behalf of Her Majesty, pre- sented a framed certifi cate and an engraved piece SOME of the costumes from Viewpark Ozanam Club’s suc- of ornamental Good work The Lord-Lieutenant with Alex cessful Halloween party. Volunteer Sandra O’Hanlon said: “A glass. McTavish and founding member Ann Collins. good night was had by all.” Vincentian donations boost hospice ST Vincent’s Hospice in Howwood, Renfrewshire, was established by members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in 1988. It has now developed into a separate charity but, in recog- nition of the origins and history of the hospice, the special works conference (which was estab- lished in 1983 with a view to opening a hospice) continues to cent of all donations made to the loved one’s death, so as to pre- this day. hospice are directed towards pare them for the funeral, right The principal function of the this team. The services offered into the bereavement process conference is to liaise with the to young people by the team and beyond. hospice and transfer Vincentian have existed in some form or This work is carried out with donations to ensure the maxi- other for six years. However, children, families and teachers in mum comfort for patients. None over the next year, the team is the home, in schools and at the of the funds transferred can be focusing on: hospice. The team is hoping to used for salaries or medication. l Courageous Cubs (2 to 11 raise £50,000 in the course of In addition, the conference years) the next year to reach out to engages with the families of l Lionhearts (12 to 18 years). more families who need access patients through the family sup- The team will work with 2 to 18- to its high quality services. Visit port team at the hospice. 10 per year-olds, mostly before their the website at www.svh.co.uk Support Services for youngsters. Twinning Marica Toth, former national president of SSVP Hungary, describes the work of the society in the Borsod region THERE are more than a dozen conferences sandwiches and hot tea and, besides the books and sweets. We have organised pro- in Hungary that work in diffi cult circum- practical help we provide, we listen to their grammes for them too – such as arts and stances, but we believe the poorest people sorrows, pleasures and problems. crafts workshops. live here, in the Borsod region in the north Usually, up to 60 people come to the char- For those who need it, we provide tutor- of the country.
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