“Grace strengthens you in order to sanctify you and sanctifies you so that you might encourage others in the ways of salvation.” – St Vincent 1647

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) Conference is part of an international Catholic voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to people in need. The Society was founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam in 1834. Frederic wanted to do more than talk about his faith, so he and his friends started visiting the poor in their homes. As well as a generous Christian Frederic worked towards eliminating poverty and suffering.

The members at St Joseph’s gather regularly for spiritual reflection, meeting before the Mass in Dyce on a Saturday afternoon. Members who are disclosure checked, within the scheme for Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG), carry out the following

• making home visits to the lonely, depressed or housebound;
• transporting the sick and pensioners;
• providing help in the form of food to those in need

The SSVP at St Joseph’s supports the work of other conferences within Aberdeen:

• Holy Family, Mastrick – distribution of food parcels on Wednesday evenings
• St Mary’s Cathedral – distribution of food parcels on Tuesday evenings
• St Peters, Castlegate – soup kitchen rota

Parishioners are invited to leave donations of non-perishable food in the designated box in St Joseph’s church extension.

Any parishioner who would like to be more involved in the work of the SSVP please contact the parish priest. (01224 484226).

“Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveller who has been attacked. It is Justice’s role to prevent the attack.” – Blessed Frederic Ozanam