Northern Ireland

St Vincent de Paul celebrates 180 years with feast day mass

SVP works support people who are experiencing poverty and social exclusion, promoting self-sufficiency and working for social justice

Most Reverend Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, celebrates St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.
Most Reverend Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, celebrates St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.
By Caoimhe Quinn McCullough

A charity that supports people experiencing poverty and social exclusion has celebrated a feast day mass for St Vincent de Paul.

Almost 100 members of The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) attended the mass, celebrated by Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church in Ligoniel.

Most Reverend Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, is joined by SVP Ambassador Malachi Cush, SVP Regional President Mary Waide, Fr Vincent Cushnahan, and Pauline Brown, SVP Regional Manager, at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.
Most Reverend Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, is joined by SVP Ambassador Malachi Cush, SVP Regional President Mary Waide, Fr Vincent Cushnahan, and Pauline Brown, SVP Regional Manager, at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.

The charity’s Spiritual Advisor Fr Perry Gildea reflected on the charitable legacy of St Vincent, highlighting his mission of helping strangers in war torn places and raising much needed funds to aid the hungry and thirsty.

SVP Regional Board members are pictured with Fr Perry Gildea at St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.
SVP Regional Board members are pictured with Fr Perry Gildea at St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.

Fr Perry emphasised how the society founded by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam 180 years ago continues to still be very relevant today, with people seeking assistance from SVP on a daily basis.

SVP members from Ballymena attend St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.
SVP members from Ballymena attend St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.

SVP is the largest voluntary charity in Ireland and works support people who are experiencing poverty and social exclusion, promoting self-sufficiency and working for social justice.

SVP members from South and East Belfast attend St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.
SVP members from South and East Belfast attend St Vincent de Paul Feast Day Mass at St Vincent de Paul Parish Church Ligoniel, in Belfast.

Last year SVP spent approximately £5 million to help those experiencing poverty in Northern Ireland, responding to tens of thousands of calls for assistance from members of the public.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of SVP, becoming a volunteer in your local Vincent’s shop or if you would like the Society’s help, please visit www.svpni.co.uk