Ozanam - Faith,Hope and Love ...Renewed - News - SSVP Scotland
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Ozanam
Easter 2021
News
Faith,Hope
and Love
...Renewed
Appeal from the A Powerful Digital Lifelines
National President little medal
Ozanam Contents News
Easter Message from National Presdient 3
Blessed Rosalie’s Cause
Around the Conferences 4-6
Circular Letter from President General 7
Twinning News 8
In Memoriam – Archbishop Tartaglia
and Bishop Logan
Council of Scotland
Spirituality 9
Sr Maria Robb, DC Obituaries
National Spiritual Adviser
Social Justice 10
Daniel Collins
National President Trustee Shaping the future together
James Heneaghan Youth News 11
National Treasurer Trustee
Year of Founder Jules Devaux 12
Richard Steinbach
Vice-President / Trustee
St Andrews & Edinburgh
2021
19
Elizabeth Herlihy
Trustee Aberdeen Next submission deadline is
John Joyce
Trustee Dunkeld
AUGUST Thursday 19th August 2021!
Pat Snee The Ozanam News relies on your contributions. Send articles and
images (jpg or png format only, no PDFs) to:
Trustee Galloway
communication@ssvpscotland.com
Joe Maguire Please provide full caption details for photos. We are unable to accept
Trustee Glasgow paper submissions. Articles should be written by email or attached as
a Word document.
Pat Carr
Trustee Motherwell
Publishing Policy
Joe Hendry
1. The objective is to publish a new Ozanam News, which will be issued three times per year, May, September and
Trustee Paisley November. To facilitate this, a publications committee has been formed and a member of the National Council
has been made responsible for its operation. The publications committee will normally meet two months before
going to the printer. As at present, the actual putting together of the magazine will be the responsibility of the
Kate Kelley National Office staff, who will select the printer and liaise and coordinate with all preproduction functions. 2.
Twinning & Projects Officer In accordance with National Council requirements, the intention will be not to feature ‘editorial’ pieces. Any
material deemed to detract from the Society’s broader aims will be approved by the National Council prior to
publication. Hopefully these arrangements will help the new Ozanam News develop into a more humorous,
Patricia McCartney educational and spiritual publication which will concentrate on bringing the Society, its Members and Associates
closer together. With this Togetherness in mind, National Council Agenda business could well become a regular
Social Justice Coordinator 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.
2 | Keep up-to-date online at www.ssvpscotland.com
Easter message 2021 y of St.Vincent d
iet
eP
from the National President
Soc
aul
se r
viens i n spe
Sco
tla n d
My sincere regards to our circumstances created by the
brothers, sisters, friends, and worldwide pandemic.
volunteers of the Society of St. Hope
Vincent de Paul in Scotland. I However, I am confident that with
welcome the Easter edition of the guidance of the Holy Spirit in We LIVE on hope in this life:
the Ozanam News 2021 which the Vincentian Journey Together hell is the loss of hope.
highlights the fact that despite Towards Holiness referred to in Never let us say,” There’s no
the serious challenges we have page 20 in our Manual & Rule hope” – keep hoping –
faced together during the past book, we will learn from the past Heaven is the fulfilment
year, many acts of charity were years’ experience and continue to of all hope.
delivered to those we serve. Serve in Hope.
SSVP Prayerbook
This coming year will no Danny Collins
doubt present us with even
more challenges due to the National President
Given the unprecedented impact of COVID19, I appeal to those members, volunteers or
known contacts, who may be able to offer expertise in areas which can support SSVP
Appeal in the year ahead. If you have experience in fundraising, financial management, HR, or
administration and can offer some time, please contact me directly to discuss.
president@ssvpscotland.com Thank you
Blessed Rosalie’s Cause
On February 7th we celebrated Courageous and strong she climbed us in our Vincentian work. We must
the feast of Bl Rosalie Rendu. the barricades of Revolution, to also remember to pray for her
Brother James McCluskey from St rescue soldiers from every side. canonisation, alongside the cause of
Ninian’s Hamilton has reminded us Constantly on the go, she prayed Blessed Frederic.”
of this wonderful woman and her while walking to reach those in
contribution. need as she had no spare time but
desired God’s guidance. She made
“She played a crucial role in the time for Frederic and the newly
establishment of SSVP and we formed SSVP and taught them how
sometimes don’t attribute the credit to be alongside the poor, where
she deserves. It was to her that to find them and how to help in a
Frederic and friends turned to begin meaningful way.
their mission.
Another interesting connection
Untrained and clueless though good between these two servants of
intentioned, they needed to be the poor was that our founder
pointed in the right direction. Enter Frederic died on her birthday – 9th
Sr Rosalie. She was already on the September. May we remember Sr
streets of Paris helping the poor. Rosalie’s example and may it guide
Ozanam News - October 2020 |3
Around the Conferences
gow A rc h d i o c e se
SSVP Makes Heavenly Match Gla s
Who needs dating apps Happy couple Daniel Hayes and substitutes when others had called
Clare Deighan have recently become off. Daniel was about to leave for a
when you volunteer to engaged. The pair met in September year’s study in Cordoba, Spain and
help with SSVP? 2017 when they both volunteered
as student helpers at the Ozanam
Clare had her final year of a history
degree to complete. However, they
Centre Sunday lunch. Clare was a kept in touch and love blossomed.
member of the Glasgow University
SSVP and Daniel had come along to Everyone at SSVP Scotland wishes
assist his local parish, Corpus Christi, the couple every happiness in their
Scotstounhill. future together.
It was a chance meeting, as both
had been drafted in as last-minute
The Space community hub Generosity for Govanhill delivered
in Govanhill, received a very the very
generous donation of toiletries, thoughtfully
hats, scarves, gloves and many put-together
other essential items from the Ozanam Centre. Bernice packages of clothing and toiletries.
Brady from Our Lady of the Wayside Conference reached They were very timely donations just
out to ask if there was anything in particular the ladies in the as the cold weather was starting and
community we serve might need while The Ozanam Centre very much appreciated by all who
was unable to open. Carol Picken (of the same Conference) received them. www.spaceglasgow.org.uk
Days gone by – out 514 home visits with Approaching Christmas, we spent £400
some 50 different families on Christmas parcel deliveries to the
Our Blueprint for the Future! requiring financial support of parish. Puzzlement then delight lit
some kind or another. up the faces of the families as we did
our rounds over Christmas week. The
Our parish had the use of church hall served as our base as cars,
Glasgow a minibus that brought elderly and drivers and those on foot took a list
President disabled parishioners to Mass on of names and a bundle of parcels to
Joe McGuire Sundays. 1300 transports to and from head off into the night. A second night
discovered an Mass was the final total at the end followed to tidy up the stragglers, those
old record sheet of the year; the cost of which in fuel who hadn’t been at home. Complaints
from St Ninian’s the Conference gladly paid. At that came along later. 'Why was my mum
Conference, time, the Society still had access to St missed?' There’s always one but we put
Knightswood in 1982 and was inspired Vincent’s Centre in Langbank, and six it right. However, the good work carried
by the activity going on, that he realised families went on the parish minibus out that night still brings a smile to my
the past has much to teach us. for a week 'doon the watter'. During face.
the summer evenings we gathered
“At that time, the Conference had 16 groups of parishioners onto the minibus Our Conferences in today's world are
members, with a mix of youth and and drove to Largs or Langbank for irreplaceable just as they were 40 or 50
experience. Occupations ranged from a small social evening with drivers years ago and beyond. Even more so
student to trainee nurse, solicitor, aptly named 'Crazy Harry' and 'Joltin now when wealth has split communities
manager, mechanic, machine operator, Joe' at the wheel. You could hear a in two and left a fracture that we in the
accountant, gas board technician and pin drop! Beautiful evenings with Society mend with our open-hearted
retired primary headmaster. It was a colourful sunsets as dusk fell made it all approach to everyone. Long may we
hardworking and friendly Conference worthwhile for us. continue to follow the example of
who over that year of 1982 carried Ozanam.”
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Teamwork is the key at
Immaculate Conception, Maryhill
Alongside St Gregory's Parish could continue to help those groups have worked together
and the Ladies group from most in need. to provide the necessary
Killermont, they distributed Many groups now work funding assistance in finance,
groceries in the week together at the Foodbank, housing and social services.
before Christmas at their which has become a hub It is now a well-respected
foodbank. Donations were for people from diverse and recognisable place to go
kindly received from families, backgrounds in the Maryhill for help. Liz Strachan from
community groups and area. The pandemic the parish said “We are truly
supermarkets. has brought so many blessed with good people
Due to restrictions SSVP nationalities, religions and and kind hearts everywhere.
Immaculate Conception cultures together in search We are building new
could not function fully and of help and to offer support. communities too with people
teaming up with friends in Local MP Bob Doris, local meeting at the Foodbank.”
the community meant they councillors and community
Snapshot of St Simon’s, Partick at St Simon’s Mass before
the lockdown was re-
introduced. This involved
We have taken time to welcoming, stewarding
When lockdown was contact members of our and conducting Eucharistic
announced in March last Parish, including some of Services. We felt it was
year, we suspended SSVP our elderly and vulnerable very important to support
face to face meetings and Parishioners. They really the local Parish Priest
replaced them with online appreciate the social contact and Deacon during these
discussions. These meetings from us and it’s good to have difficult and challenging
take place every two weeks a blether with them and times and we were only too
via Zoom. ensure they’re keeping safe happy to do this.
and well. We volunteered
Edinburgh Cluster Stronger Together Timely Local Twinning Reminder
founder lived through a storm- a need. In our Diocese, we
storm of religious scepticism agreed that Local Twinning
prevalent in France during his cheques should be sent to
time. Like Frederic, we find our Diocesan Treasurer who
ourselves in a powerful global would deposit them in the
storm- Covid 19. Many people Diocesan account. I would
are feeling isolated, confused, then advise him of which
As part of our Lenten Journey, disheartened, anxious, Motherwell President Pat Conference to transfer the
the S E Edinburgh Cluster depressed and struggling Carr has discussed how funds to. (Conferences in
Parishes of St John Vianney, St financially. Vincent and Frederic essential our principle of need contact me directly)
Catherine’s and St Gregory’s gave us a mandate to evangelise local twinning is, in this Two hours later, the funds
have invited "inputs" from our and serve the vulnerable in our time of low income. “As would be in the requesting
local SSVP Conferences. This society with compassion. Our per our Society Rule, Conference’s bank account.
is a wonderful opportunity three local SSVP Conferences Conferences who have The donating Conference
to raise the profile of our are responding materially and healthy bank balances can would not know the name of
Society and encourage people spiritually, helping to alleviate assist Conferences in their the receiving conference and
to respond positively to our the plight and burden of people Diocese who are low in vice versa.”
outreach work in helping people in need by sowing the seeds funds, enabling them to
in need during this challenging of hope and maintaining the continue assisting those in
time. Frederic Ozanam, our dignity of all people.
Ozanam News - October 2020 |5
Motherwell Diocese
St Bernadette’s Motherwell SSVP
70 Years Young!
The SSVP group at St Bernadette’s in Motherwell first National Youth Co-Ordinator. These family ties
recently had a big birthday. However, like so many recent within our Society are so important: the Vincentian
events, celebrations are on hold until safer times. This mission being handed through the generations is one
first Conference was set up by a committed group of of our great strengths as a Society. We wish all at St
parishioners seen here, who included Mr Paddy Carr (far Bernadette’s a happy celebration when they are able to
right). Paddy’s son Pat is our very own SSVP Motherwell be together again.
Diocesan President and granddaughter Clare was our
primary schools
Airdrie Activity at St Edwards! made personalised
Christmas cards
which were enclosed.
We also worked in
partnership with
It was with much trepidation St Margaret's High
that St Edward's SSVP School who donated
conference launched their 5th 20 Christmas food
Christmas Jesse Tree Appeal, hampers to the Conference which we distributed to local
however they felt that the need families.
was greater than ever. Despite
the many reservations, the During the present lockdown, the Conference identified that
generosity of parishioners and many pupils within the parish and school communities were
the local community surpassed having difficulty in sourcing physical materials such as jotters,
all expectations. We were able to give 165 children 3 gifts pens, pencils etc, and were falling behind as a result. The
each. Children from 6 local Primary Schools, St Margaret's Conference therefore secured a large quantity of relevant
High School, Airdrie Family Support Unit and Monklands supplies and created over 100 learning packs (each comprising
Women's Aid all benefitted from the Appeal. We also all manner of suitable equipment & resources) which were
donated toys and baby gifts to the toy appeal run jointly by St distributed to pupils from our four partner schools. This
Augustine's Church and North Lanarkshire Council. enabled all children in need of these resources to continue
their studies at this most difficult time. It also allowed the
In another Christmas activity, we delivered 40 Christmas Conference to continue to support the youngest members of
Treat Boxes to local parishioners. These were made extra our community in a new & innovative way.
special, as the Mini Vinnies from St Edward's and St Dominic's
Just Giving Page is just the ticket!
Brother Gerry Murphy, President in St could do the same as he found so
Patrick's and St Catherine's Conference many people want to give. Someone
in Shotts, started a Just Giving page handed Gerry £40.00 last week.
on Facebook to try to recoup some Diocesan President Pat Carr thanked
of the £1,300 his Conference spent Gerry and his Conference for their
on vouchers for families in need at generous donation to the Diocesan
Christmas. As a result of this they projects and a very generous donation
raised £1,400 and a local businessman to our Local Twinning fund. Ask and
pledged £5,000 to their Conference you will receive!
fund. Gerry felt maybe Conferences
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International News
Circular Letter from President General
never judging the poor without above all
In Our Circular letter for 2021, President understanding the reality of their lives
General, Brother Renato outlines how we and their needs. Sometimes we do not
will redouble our efforts in this time of need. realise our own strength which comes
Here we have reprinted a small section from from God. Be peaceful, gentle, loving
the start and end of the letter to give a towards those who suffer. Avoid conflict
flavour and provide a handy guide to all and bureaucracy; instead, follow the
the chapters for your own reading or at Rule in love of the seven founders. Seek
Conference meetings. to resolve any conflict, and do not waste
time on less important, secondary and
mundane affairs. Salvation awaits us.
5.4. The year to rebuild the world
After overcoming the health crisis,
we have to make up for lost time. Our
Conferences will have to double their
efforts to recover what has been lost.
Within the Council General, we will also
be doing this. All the activities which
should have happened in 2020, such as
“In this Circular Letter of 2021, a year for the opening of the new Head office in
rebuilding and new beginnings, I want to Paris, and several missionary journeys
address some matters on which we all (for the President General and for the
need to reflect, so that our work for those Structure) will be underway in the coming
who suffer can be improving all the time. years again, with renewed emphasis.
The ideas and questions I will cover are We will make up for this with hard work,
also intended to alert us to the way our greater dedication and service. Council
Councils operate, as their only purpose General can never slow down, as the
is to provide services for the grassroots. International Confederation depends
Some of my readers may not agree with on its vitality and energy to “inoculate”
some of what I have to say, but at least the world with good viruses. We are
they will know how the President General absolutely certain that the good Lord will
thinks, with all my flaws and limitations. never abandon us. We Vincentians are
I humbly suggest that this letter should in the world as the soul is in the body.
be divided into blocks or topics and So, my dear brothers and sisters, in this
read in short sections at the meetings year of 2021, let’s remain firmly devoted
of Vincentian Conferences. I would be to Ozanam and true champions of hope,
delighted to receive comments, criticisms charity and peace! May the peace of
and suggestions about the content of this Christ be with you all.
Letter, as well as proposals for the coming
years. We have set up an e‐mail address
for this, cgi.circularletter@gmail.com
which you can use.
5.3. Encouragement to overcome
I want all the members, and the
volunteers and employees of the SSVP Member Renato Lima de Oliveira
around the world, to keep doing the 16th President General
necessary and demanding work of
charity, together with the humblest www.ssvpglobal.org
people, with care, love and charity,
Ozanam News - October 2020 |7
Twinning News twinning@ssvpscotland.com
Kate Kelley, National Twinning Officer
India Announces New National President
Brother Jude Magalraj has been elected as
the new National President for Society of St
Vincent de Paul, National Council of India.
The election results were announced by a
special board consisting of Bro Sebastian
Thomas, Bro Francis KJ and Bro Francis
Fernando, pictured here with the new
president. Our National President, Brother
Danny Collins has written to offer his congratulations and welcome to Brother Jude,
offering prayers that the Holy Spirit will be his guide on the journey ahead.
We donated Rs. 3700/-towards the Education of the poor
Letter from St Assumption, Puliyal – students. We spent Rs 100/- as a Medical expense for
twinned with St John Ogilvie, Irvine one person who suffered due to illness. We also supplied
150 Kg rice, six sets of clothes and Rs 900/- to the Five
Adopted Families of our Conference. We issued free
clothes for 53 Women and 32 men.
“Dear Kate, I take this golden opportunity to express
our heartfelt thanks for the great help especially the We were able to give the aforesaid help to the poor
financial aid that you are rendering to our St. Assumption people by your generous donations, the donations of
Conference of SSVP Puliyal. I would like to bring to our benefactors and from the secret offerings of the
your knowledge the type of monetary help and other members of our Conference. We attend the Holy Mass
assistance that we had rendered to people who are living pray for our benefactors especially for you and for the
below poverty line, physically handicapped and those members of your Conference and for those who help us
who are struggling for life. from our country.”
In Memoriam: In Memoriam:
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia Bishop Emeritus Vincent Logan
Archbishop Philip Bishop Vincent Logan was a
Tartaglia was devoted servant for the Catholic
described in his Church in Scotland. Through the
requiem Mass as being Bishop’s Conference, he helped to
a strong tree under establish the organisation Priests
which many could for Scotland. which was a place
be sheltered and feel for those considering vocation to
restored. This is a find the guidance and information
fitting tribute to a man they required. He also specialised
who gave of himself in religious education and was
tirelessly and stood strong for those less fortunate. committed to the promotion of the faith in young
We are eternally grateful as a Society for his presence people. His service to the Diocese of Dunkeld for over
at several AGM meetings, one at his beloved Celtic 30 years and his involvement with SSVP Conferences
Park. To come together as a Vincentian family, under there provided shepherdly guidance to our members.
the protection of his branches on these occasions was May he rest in the peace of Christ.
uplifting and refreshing as we renewed our Vincentian
fervor, for the year ahead. He will be missed by many of
our members. May he rest in the peace of Christ.
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Spirituality - A Powerful little medal!
Sr Maria Robb DC, Spiritual Director
I reckon most of us were happy to see the back of 2020. Many This terrible epidemic, a disease without cure, struck
people welcomed 2021 as the year we would ‘get back to thousands and beleaguered many more. And yet, an
normal’. exceptional phenomenon was noticed. Those who devoutly
…. But things don’t always turn out as we plan! Instead of wore a certain small medal around their neck were spared or
looking to the future with hope we find ourselves in lockdown relieved from the epidemic.
again, now fighting a more virulent strain of Covid 19, an
invisible enemy. The healings continued to increase, and the population of
Paris began to call the medal "miraculous."
As I was reflecting on the situation, I was reminded of one of
our own Vincentian saints – St Catherine Laboure, a Seminary
How many of us wear the
Sister (novice) with the Daughters of Charity, living in the Rue
Miraculous Medal today?
du Bac, Paris. On three different occasions Our Lady appeared
When I go out to schools or
to Catherine. She asked her to have a medal struck, giving
do any of our Vocation work,
very specific details of the design. Mary told her to encourage
I always take Miraculous
people to wear this medal and to ‘Come to the foot of the
Medals and the Miraculous
altar. Here graces will be poured out on all who ask for them
Medal Novena with me.
with confidence and fervour.’
When I give them to the
Convincing the powers that be to get the medal struck was young people, I tell them to
no mean task for a young Seminary Sister. Who was going to take a medal but give it to someone they know who needs it
listen to her! Yet, Our Lady knew the need of this medal and more than them. They always come back asking for one for
she knew her request to Sr Catherine would be fulfilled. It may their granny, the old man who lives next door etc.
take some time, but it would happen.
So why am I telling you this story? Read on!! Perhaps today, in the midst of this pandemic, Mary is inviting
us to wear the medal with confidence, and to pray through the
While in 1832 the first Miraculous Medals were being Miraculous Medal Novena for a cure for Covid 19.
produced, Paris was hit by a terrible cholera epidemic that
claimed more than 20,000 lives. The Miraculous Medal is a gift given by Mary to the whole
In June, the Daughters of Charity started to distribute the first world, through a Vincentian Sister.
2,000 medals, especially to infected people who filled the
hospitals.
Obituaries - May they Rest In Peace
Rose Houston, former member, Bernadette Gray, former Patricia Mary Russell, active Jean Gorman, active member,
St Louise Arden President, Our Lady and St member, SS Patrick and Holy Cross, Edinburgh
George, Penilee Catherine, Shotts
Alex Smith, former President John Anderson, active member,
and active member, Our Lady of John Dynes, former President, John McBeth, former Group St John, Barrhead
Mount Carmel, Kilmarnock St Dominic, Bishopbriggs and Conference President, St
Mary Our Lady of Victories, Rita Graham, former member,
Matt Cairns, former President, Isa Maguire, former President Dundee St Columbkille, Rutherglen
St Paul, Ayr of South Glasgow Group and
St Margaret Mary, Castlemilk Hugh Lynch, former President, Frank Bluett, former member,
Jim McLaughlin, active St Mary Our Lady of Victories, St Ronan, Bonhill
Treasurer, St Mary, Bo’ness Elizabeth Algeo, Former Dundee
President, Christ the King, Philip McKenna, active
Rena Johnston, former Grangemouth Helen Izatt, President, member, St John, Barrhead
President, St Margaret, South St Joseph, Kelty
Queensferry Julie Doogan, former member,
St Robert, Glasgow Joseph Simonette, Treasurer/
Lorraine Bryce, former Secretary, Sacred Heart,
member, St Margaret, South Patrick Connelly, Treasurer, Salsburgh
Queensferry St Ninian, Gourock
Ozanam News - October 2020 |9
Social Justice News
Patricia McCartney, Social Justice Co-ordinator
socialjustice@ssvpscotland.com @SocJustSSVPScot
develop digital skills for older people and for families with
Digital Lifelines in the Pandemic children, I applied on behalf of SSVP Scotland.
Applications were to SCVO on a Local Authority (LA) basis.
SSVP has Conferences in 27 LA areas, so applications were
This time last year it would have been hard to imagine how made in all for both the Older People and Families with
much our lives would be impacted by another type of poverty Children programmes. I am pleased to report that 21 / 27
which would rear its head and require action. Digital poverty. applications for Older People’s programme and 16 / 27 for the
Families with Children programme were successful either in
As the pandemic deepened, social contact and interaction for full or in part, giving us a total of 231 free devices!
many people ceased. Families with children have struggled
with home schooling due to lack of digital resources. By the time you read this, hopefully all grant agreements will
Loneliness and isolation, especially for the elderly, increased. be signed; the devices delivered to a named SSVP contact in
each LA area and that Conferences will have identified older
The term ‘Digital poverty’ is recent but its existence is not people and families with children who would benefit from
new. The current pandemic has simply highlighted it. The receiving a free iPad with 24 months of free wife connectivity.
inability to engage with digital technology due to lack of
finances to purchase a device and Wi-Fi To ensure the recipients are supported in the first 6 months
connection and the lack of personal of receiving their devices it is a requirement that ‘Digital
support to learn the skills to use it, leaves Champions’ are identified from our SSVP members. These
someone digitally poor. ‘Champions’ are not expected to be Digital experts, just
someone who can assist the recipient with using their new
Therefore, when I heard about the device. Training and support for this will be given by SCVO.
Scottish Government’s initiative By being generous with our time and ourselves, we will be help
‘Connecting Digitally’, being managed families with children and older people escape from digital
by SCVO (Scottish Council Voluntary poverty. Please contact me for more information and to find
Organisations) to provide free iPad, out about being a Digital Champion in your area.
internet connectivity and support to
Shaping the Future Together -
Update from Pat Snee, Galloway President
Faith in Community, Scotland (F.I.C.) is a Along with other groups and has been initial positive reaction to the
charity which was started, some years communities, we are looking to share programme and it is hoped to report on
ago, as a joint enterprise between the experiences and to learn from each other some tangible results, of our working
Church of Scotland and the Archdiocese in our common goal of improving the together at a later stage.
of Glasgow. Since then, it has developed wellbeing of individuals and families.
into an organisation whose purpose is
to work with diverse Faith groups to The biggest challenge we face,
promote a fairer and more just Society, considering the pandemic, is how to
and to work together in tackling common continue to operate efficiently within the
issues. current constraints. Areas of particular
concern are continued food provision
Galloway SSVP Diocese is currently to needy individuals and families; and
working with F.I.C on a project called, the problem of communication due to
“SHAPING the FUTURE TOGETHER”. the absence of physical meetings. There
10 | Keep up-to-date online at www.ssvpscotland.comYouth News youth@ssvpscotland.com @youthSSVP
Pauline Bonnar, ssvp.youth.scotland Youth SSVP Scotland
Youth Development Co-Ordinator
I’m counting the days till I can restart visits to schools to see through the groups, each with its
all the great work you’re doing where possible, or planning for own logo (currently under design)
the better days ahead. I miss all your stories of the kindness and group colour. The Junior
you show to those around you. It’s what makes the world that group will be able to continue
little bit brighter! good works in the community
during periods of exams for Senior
While I’ve been working from home, I’ve had time to look Vinnies. The groups can work
at how we arrange our Youth. There seemed to be a gap together
between leaving primary as an enthusiastic Mini Vinnie on special projects but having Junior and Senior will
before becoming involved when reaching senior secondary. enable younger pupils to remain an active part of the
To address this, we’re now having three groups across our Vincentian family.
schools: Mini Vinnies P4-P7, Junior Vinnies S1-S3 and Senior
Vinnies S4-S6. This means there will be a sense of progression
Climate Competition for COP26
Christmas Kindness
In November this year, Scotland (Covid willing) will host
the COP26 Global Climate change Conference in Glasgow.
Leaders from around the world will gather to discuss
A few weeks before Christmas, I was delighted
what we can do better to protect the planet. As advised
to be invited along to St Laurence's Church hall
by Pope Francis in Laudato Si, we must all play our part
Greenock to join with Notre Dame High pupils in caring for our common home. How we react to climate
as they helped sort essential food donations for change now will determine what the world will look and
SSVP. They had collected essential items via a feel like for generations in the future. Indeed, the very
reverse advent calendar. It was all hands on deck rule book that Blessed Frederic wrote when he started the
for sorting items and wrapping boxes, and all after first Conference, and which we still use today says “The
a long December Monday at school! Handmade Society's vision goes beyond the immediate future, looking
cards from St Michael's Primary were also added towards sustainable development and protection of the
to the boxes. It was wonderful collaboration work environment for the benefit of future generations.”
between St Laurence’s SSVP Conference, local
schools and the parish community. Thank you to As such, we’re launching a competition to tie in with COP26.
Both St Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam
Miss Farren from Notre Dame Greenock, Miss
shared a deep desire to care for the natural world, reduce
Kearns from St Michael's Port Glasgow and Fr Eoin wastefulness and share resources.
Patten of St Laurence’s Church.
Under the title Wounded World, write a story, article, poem
or prayer. You can also submit a picture along with your
entry but this is not essential. The best entry in each Vinnie
grouping (Mini, Junior and Senior) will be printed in the next
edition of the Ozanam News which will be just in time for
the COP26 Conference. They will also be published on SSVP
Scotland’s website and Social Media and a certificate will be
sent to the winners.
Get those keyboards clicking
and send your entries to
youth@ssvpscotland.com
by Friday 30/07/21. Please
include your name, address,
age and school.
Ozanam News - October 2020 | 11Year of Founder Jules Devaux
Launches with Literary Competition
Council General International have launched the year active in the debates, perhaps because he was studying
of Jules Devaux, one of the seven founders of SSVP. medicine and not law.
They hope to encourage members around the world to
investigate and learn about the life of this humble servant He was one of the seven founders and attended the early
who gave his time and commitment to assist Frederic meetings of the Society. He took up the collection of funds
Ozanam in establishing our Society. at the first meeting by walking around with his hat held
behind his back. He then became the first treasurer of the
As it would be wonderful to have a Scottish winner, we Conference and later the first treasurer of the General
thought we’d give you a little starter for ten, and share Council. Jules may have worked with Sr. Rosalie Rendu
here some biographical information about Jules, courtesy before the formation of the Society. Regardless, it was
of our sister organisation, We are Vincentians. Anyone can he who, at the urging of Emmanuel Bailly, was delegated
enter who is a member of a Conference or SSVP school to approach her so that the newly formed Conference of
group. This is a great project for some of our Vinnies. “ For Charity would be well-mentored in the work of charity.
more information on entry, see www.ssvpscotland.com/
latest news.” Leaving Paris in 1839 after submitting his medical thesis,
Devaux settled in Trivieres, Normandy. After his mother’s
“Like Lamache and Le Taillandier, Jules Devaux hailed from death, he temporarily abandoned medical practice to
the Normandy region. He was born on July 18, 1811, in the travel, especially in Germany. He tried to found the
town of Colombieres, Calvados. His father, Marie Adrien first Conference there but did not succeed. He married
Devaux was a country doctor, probably of peasant stock. Louise Alice Pasquet in Paris on April 30, 1848, and they
After attending the College Royal in Caen, Jules came to had at least one son, who recorded some of his father’s
Paris to study medicine, probably in 1830. It was there memories. The remainder of his life is not well-known. He
that he met Ozanam and his friends. He took part in the died in Paris on October 27, 1880.”
Conference of History but did not seem to have been very
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