SSVP
Mission Statement
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is a lay Catholic organisation whose mission is:
- To live the Gospel message
- by serving Christ in the poor
- with love, respect, justice and joy.
Values
The Mission of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul implies that as Vincentians, we:
- see Christ in anyone who suffers;
- come together as a family;
- have personal contact with the poor;
- help in all possible ways.
Logo
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Scotland has adopted a logo:
- The fish is the symbol of Christianity and, in this case, represents the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
- The eye of the fish is the vigilant eye of God seeking to help the poor in our midst.
- The crossing at the tail or the tie-knot represents unity and oneness among members and also the union with the poor.
- The circle bounding the logo signifies the global or worldwide stature of the SSVP, an international Society.
- The words serviens in spe mean to serve in hope, the hope that comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
OLSP Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Our SSVP has been running for a number of years now. Led by our S6 Caritas and Leadership pupils, our members range from S1 – S6. The SSVP members work both directly through giving time and indirectly, by organising appeals and fundraisers. Above all, we try to make a difference in our community and the wider world through our prayers.
We are continually supported in our efforts by Clare Carr, the National Youth Officer, who visits our school each year to deliver a presentation to our pupils. This engaging and motivational talk always inspires us to reach out to those in need. We recognise and encourage the good work started by Clare within our Primary schools’ Mini Vinnies and invite them to continue as members of SSVP when they move into S1.
We are involved in work within our school, our parishes and associated primaries including:
- Attending special prayer services in school, retreats, the annual SSVP Youth Mass in St Andrew’s cathedral and National Youth Day event
- S6 Leadership students helping at Ozanam Centre each month
- Collecting toiletries for the Ozanam centre and food for a local foodbank.
- Caritas students assisting with collection boxes in our parishes
- Having a Senior Citizens’ Christmas film show. Last year we distributed the first Pocket prayer shawls from our Prayer Shawl Ministry as a gift to each guest
- Attending quarterly Deanery meetings in our parishes to develop further links with the local SSVP conferences and provide them with an update on our work in school
- Helping parishes e.g. putting up the Christmas tree in Our Lady & St Mark’s parish which featured in the Ozanam News magazine
- Attending the Voice of the Poor Conference
An important part of our learning is done through this annual conference at the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge. This is a residential conference for 8 pupils in S3 provides our pupils with a foundation on which to base their SSVP work. The Voice of the Poor is a packed timetable with inputs on the SSVP (History, ethos and vision), the Living Wage (The Poverty Alliance) and Communication/team building. The pupils also take part in the ‘Trading Game’ (Conforti Institute Education Team). The final workshop will be a planning session, where the pupils will start to consider how they can best assist their communities and those in need.