St Vincent de Paul Society

What do you know about St Vincent de Paul? August 27th is his Memorial Day on the Catholic Calendar. A big shout‑out every day to all who do religious and social works as the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

What do you know about their mission?

As a young man home from Seminary for the holidays, I was charged with visiting with two of their members the Silverstream Hospital in the Hutt Valley. We gave out portions of friendly Vinnies cheer. Magazines, chocolates, and — back in the day — cigarettes.

On my first assignment, Kilbirnie members brought out archival minutes from way back when teenage Vincent Peter Fitzgibbon — my dad — had begun to record their faith and good works way, way back then as their Conference Secretary.

I love St Vincent de Paul and all who look to him as a patron saint.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul helps people

Kapiti Today — Collaborative Ministry in Practice

Our Kapiti parish has long been generous with the Food Basket, and the local St Vincent de Paul Conference works closely with the Salvation Army to prepare parcels of help for the Food Bank.

Recently our community newspaper carried a front‑page article about the increasing need for grocery boxes, appealing to everyone in the district to help. The need is real, and it is growing.

This weekend, as parishioners left Mass, they were handed a small leaflet — a simple, heartfelt reminder

This is collaborative ministry at its most practical: the parish, the Society, the Salvation Army, and the wider community — all working together so that families in need are not forgotten.

St Vincent de Paul would recognise this immediately. He would say: “Go to the poor — you will find God.”