Editorial in Waterford Today – St. Vincent De Paul constantly serving the community
The Annual St. Vincent De Paul collection to be taken up this weekend deserves the wholehearted support of all in the community. The work of the Society goes on the whole year round catering to the needs of the less well off in Irish society.
The range of activities the Society engages in is wide and whether it is homing the homeless through their hostel in Lady Lane or apartments in Bridge Street, or the operation of their shop, Second Time Round in Henrietta Street by wholly voluntary effort, they depend on the generosity of the community to enable them continue their devoted work.
Just as Irish society itself is constantly evolving, so too is the work of the Society. They engage in hospital visitations, summer camps, holiday programmes and integration programmes as well as direct spending on education. Working on the premise that education is empowering they put great store in this aspect of their ministry.
Their work on behalf of those marginalised in the booming Irish economy goes on unsung and at times unheralded.
Thoughtless people, who really should know better, often criticise the beneficiaries of their work saying, “they don’t deserve to be helped.” This anti-Christian viewpoint is too often advanced by people who are too mean to put their hands in their pocket and try to justify their stinginess in this way.
Christmas is a particularly difficult time for many in Irish society. They haven’t the resources to celebrate in the traditional manner, and in many cases, they are alone without friends or family, to help them through this most special family times of the year. In many cases it is just the fact of their visitation to people living alone that makes all the difference and in many cases is just the sole bright spark in these people’s lonely existence.
The membership of the Society is drawn from all sections of society and like all voluntary organisations they could do with the help of more volunteers.
If you have a few hours to spare then you should make contact with a member of the Society who will be only too delighted to avail of your help. The members of the Society neither seek nor expect the thanks of the community for their work, however, it would be ungracious not to acknowledge the real difference they make to many people’s lives. You can help support their work by donating what you can this weekend. Remember, it is better to give than to receive.
