ST VINCENT DE PAULSOCIETY

S T A N N ’ S C O N F E R E N C EB A N S T E A D

5 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y

In 2020, the St Ann’s SVP Conference celebrated its 55th anniversary. Originally founded on the 1st February 1965, its Cer tificate of Aggregation was signed two weeks later in Paris on the 16th February.

The cer tificate is now displayed in St Ann’s room where SVP meetings are held.

ST ANN’S C ONFERENCE

The original Principles of the Conference were:•Careful attention in the selection of members•Zeal in visiting the poor•Regular attendance at the meetings•Cordiality among the brothers•Frequent intercourse with our Conferences•Deference towards the Clergy •Perseverance, Resignation, Humility

The first Conference was made up solely of men. Subsequently, a second group was formed for women. Finally, both groups merged and now constitute the Conference we have today.

Since its formation, many new members have joined the SVP, continuing our tradition of enthusiasm, energy and commitment.

Our mission is to seek and find those in need, to help them in the spirit of justice and to tackle the causes of poverty where we can.

C ONTACT USSVP needs volunteers for various activities. If you are interested in joining SVP please speak to one of our members or contact us at: svpstanns@gmail.com

Our new activity this year will be providing breakfasts to a homeless night shelter.

OUR CHALLENGE FOR 2020

Thank you to St Ann’s Parish for your prayers and support. These allow us to follow in the footsteps of St Vincent de Paul, our Patron Saint, and Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

• We continue to support St Joseph’s Conference in Epsom, which is now in full swing.

• At Christmas, we visit nursing homes to share the joy of the festive season. The residents are always delighted to be visited by the Mini Vinnies and they join in singing carols. Our young members go back to visit the nursing homes and to read stories to the elderly.

• We assist the Parish Social Committee in the organisation of the Parish Christmas Lunch for our older parishioners. The food, the company of friends and the entertainment are appreciated by all.

• At Christmas, we do not forget the children of prisoners. The festive season is a difficult time for those young children who cannot be with a parent. SVP thanks the Parish for its generous support in our work with the “Operation Christmas Elf” project organised by PACT

• Adopting the mission and vision of the Society, we visit housebound parishioners, those in local care homes and the sick. We bring them Holy Communion and friendship and offer transport to Mass and Parish events.

• We help arrange Mass for the Sick. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick gives strength, peace and courage to Christians. This special occasion brings together those who cannot get to church due to serious illness or the frailty of old age. The SVP provides lif ts to the Mass and prepares an af ternoon tea for everyone’s enjoyment.

• We support our young members, the 60 Mini Vinnies at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, and help them to be more aware of social justice issues. Adult and young members work together throughout the year at dif ferent events, for example raising money at cake sales. We welcome two new Mini Vinnie Conferences: St Richard’s Catholic Primary School in Chichester and The Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Addlestone.

OUR ACTIVITIES• With our SVP colleagues at Sacred Heart in Caterham and St Joseph in Epsom, we were able to prepare 100 homeless packs this year. Each bag contained a thermal hat, scarf, gloves, socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a packet of tissues and hand spray. These emergency kits were distributed to people living on the street and also to those in night shelters.

• We assist the Gatwick Detainee Welfare Group whenever they contact us for more clothing for detainees. We are always grateful for the generosity of St Ann’s parishioners.

• We give financial support to Tower House Community Centre for isolated older people in Brighton and to the St Leonard’s Conference for their work with immigrants and asylum seekers.

• In our work abroad, we are twinned with three SVP Conferences in India. We give them financial support which they use to help their own poor. Profits from our fund raising events are used in India to send children to school and young people to university. As Pope Francis said: “Education is an act of Love. It is giving Life.”